Four weeks after Adopting Bitcoin wrapped up, I find myself back in Buenos Aires. While one of the main reasons for staying is avoiding the dreary Berlin winter, the other, much stronger reason, is the people.
Anyone who knows me knows Iām a beach person through and throughādreaming of one day living in a house by the ocean. Argentina, with its economic quirks and geographical realities, isnāt exactly the ideal spot for that dream. Yet, here I am again, drawn not by the landscapes but by something far more meaningful: its people.
When I first wrote about my experience at Labitconf, I mentioned "LaCrypta" a local Bitcoin community that captured my heart. For those unfamiliar, the name might sound like itās tied to crypto, but itās notāit simply means āThe Crypt.ā And when you visit their physical space in the heart of Buenos Aires, the name suddenly makes perfect sense.
La Crypta isnāt just a community; itās the beating heart of Bitcoin culture here. Itās a group of passionate people dedicated to development, education, and sharing knowledge about Bitcoin and the Nostr ecosystem. Their mission goes far beyond techāitās about empowerment, collaboration, and creating a space where ideas flourish.
Before I arrived in Buenos Aires, I had already worked with some of the La Crypta crew remotely. From the very start, they were more than helpfulāhonestly, they saved me more times than I can count. Organizing, finding suppliers, translating, navigating cultural nuancesāthings that wouldāve been impossible as a foreigner were made smooth thanks to their constant support.
Even when cultural differences came into play, they did their best to accommodate my eager German punctuality. Sure, we had a couple of missed calls here and there (theyāre South American, after all!), but we found a rhythm, and I learned to relax and embrace their way of doing things.
)Iāll never forget walking into the physical space for the first time. The house itself is a marvelāa 100-year-old gem tucked into the bustling city, its walls whispering history. Interestingly, it was originally built by Germans (I could tell right away), and every corner is rich with quirks and stories. Newcomers are given a guided tour, learning about the houseās past and its idiosyncrasies, which theyāre then responsible for passing on to the next wave of visitors. Itās a brilliant tradition, one that fosters a sense of connection to the place.
The charm of La Cryptaās space is undeniableāa century-old house surrounded by modern skyscrapers, standing out like a time capsule in the middle of the city. Of course, not everyone loves it. The neighbors occasionally complain about the raucous parties, even calling the police. But, as Iāve learned, in Argentina, thereās always a workaround for things like that.
)The real magic, though, isnāt in the houseāitās in the people. After weeks of working together remotely, meeting them in person for the first time was something special. Thereās nothing quite like hugging the people youāve shared so much time, effort, and anticipation with, knowing how deeply they care.
They welcomed me with open arms, not just as a collaborator but as a friend. From day one, theyāve been my mental and emotional support system, offering far more than help with logistics. Their generosity, warmth, and genuine care reminded me that some of the most valuable things in life arenāt tied to moneyātheyāre tied to human connection.
We bonded in so many ways, but nothing quite tops their initiation ritual: mate. For the uninitiated, mate is a traditional South American drink with a very specific etiquette. You donāt say āthank youā unless youāre done, you donāt stir the straw, and, naturally, I did everything wrong at first. But despite their teasing, I genuinely fell in love with mate, even if they still canāt believe me!
## A home away from home
As I write this, just 10 days before Christmas, Iām missing my family and friends back home in Berlin. On quiet Saturday mornings like this, I wish I could just jump on a plane and hug them, feel the warmth of familiarity. But even in these moments of longing, I find comfort here. The people of La Crypta have become a surrogate family, filling my heart with their kindness and making the distance feel a little less heavy.
This experience has been life-changing. No matter where I go from here, Iāll carry a piece of La Crypta and Buenos Aires with me. For anyone who ever has the chance to visit, I urge you to experience this for yourself. The people, the place, the cultureāitās something that canāt be explained, only felt.
Itās not just a community; itās a family. And for that, Iāll forever be grateful.
#Hola
