Buenos Aires has been more than usually chaotic this week as we prepare to host the G20 summit. It officially started this morning, but things have been crazy for the past two days. I had a meeting at a local cafe on Wednesday, and the women I was meeting were over an hour late — stuck in the mad traffic!

The event officially starts today, and I live just a block away from one of the centres of action. The Alvear Palace Hotel is surrounded by 50 police officers and you can’t get in or out of the intersection. It’s strange to watch the television coverage and see my neighbourhood, which is usually buzzing with traffic, empty and quiet.

I did go out for my usual walk this morning, but turned left instead of right, away from the Alvear Palace, and it was fine. Most of the cafes were closed (unusual), but the one on the corner of my street was open so I sat outside and enjoyed the unusual peace! Here is what my street looks like on this strange morning.

A friend made an interesting comment the other day. G20 is an organization for the most successful economies in the world, of which Argentina certainly isn’t one. But they are virtually closing down the Argentine economy for at least two days to host the meeting, as well as spending untold amounts of money on the event and the surrounding security. Seems daft, doesn’t it? I don’t know what Argentina will get out of this, but I hope it’s something good.

Anyway, I for one will be very happy to see my city back to its normal state of chaos next week!