Flowing with the Argentine Laws
October 2nd, 2007 Posted in day to dayWritten by Shanie
There are some strange rules and laws that one must abide by in Argentina. We just dealt with an interesting, silly law that makes no sense…
As you all know we live in Bariloche, which is about two and a half hours from the nearest Chilean/Argentine border. An easy, beautiful drive around Lago Nahuel Huapi and then into the center of the impressive Andean mountain range.
Yes…the Andean mountain range…one of the main reasons that we moved to Argentina and something close to our hearts and passions.
It is becoming imperative that we check out the massive Chilean volcanoes that are currently harvesting impressive blankets of perfect corn for thousands of vertical feet. A true backcountry skier’s wet dream.
But we have some hurdles to overcome before being able to feel the sweet, sweet feeling of perfect, carvable corn.
You see, Argentina does not allow a temporary resident to drive their personal automobile into Chile for fear that they may sell it. A pretty irrational fear yet an insurmountable problem it seems.
We have been told from various friends (both foreigners and Argentines) that yes, it is true, the governmental laws state that a foreigner with temporary residency may not travel into Chile with their car. But as with all things in Argentina that do not make sense, there appeared to be labyrinth paths around the obstacle.
Upon realizing that the corn harvest was soon ready to be cultivated, with the cold temperatures at night and beautiful Patagonian days, we knew that the time had come to see if we could find the cheese at the end of the maze.
We were told by a friend, a North American and fellow temporary resident that his links via the Rotary Club had allowed him access with his personal wheels. He gave us the chief aduana man’s name and the best time to go. Off a hunting we went…
We fortunately had an Argentine friend staying in our guest house . She kindly agreed to help us with the fast talkin’, dialect usin’ aduanas.
It is a great thing she did.
Except that we didn’t get anywhere.
It seems that it is true. A temporary resident may not drive their automobile into Chile…but there is another option…you can find a random Argentine to agree to drive your car across the border, have a escribano notarize that this person is traveling with you and the Argentine can drive the car across the border and then hand the car back over to you.
Suerte with getting back into the country.
Logical. Not.
We decided to forgo the labyrinth hassle and just rent a car for a couple of days. Us pesky temporary residents aren’t a concern when we just rent a car.
Just another Argentine example of how it is not important the way in which one achieves the destination wanted, only that one does achieve it.
Thank you Argentina for teaching me to go with the flow.
