November in BA was really hot, apparently the hottest on record. Got to love those sensationalist weather reports.
The heat meant that all of BA's air con units were switched on, and the surges in electricity usage were too much for the suppliers, leading to power cuts all over the city. It seemed particularly bad in Belgrano, with 4 blackouts in 2 days. I spoke my local Kiosco man and he told me the cuts happen every summer, but seem to begin earlier each year.
Whenever anything disagreable takes place in the city (or elsewhere in Argentina) it's time for the 'Cacerolazos' (literally 'stew pot'). Out come people into the streets or onto their balconies, cooking pots in one hand, wooden spoon in the other, and everyone bangs away for as long as they can. A lot of Argentinians are frustrated and tired of the political situation and this is one way people can come together to vent their anger in public. We got involved along with everyone else on our block, it was actually quite cathartic! Though obviously did nothing to speed up the return of our electricity. I've bought some candles as no doubt there'll be more of the same as temperatures increase throughout the summer.
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