Travel Mysteries: Skeleton Keys

We've been traveling in Argentina for more than a month and a half, and though the landscape has changed, one thing has remained constant. Every single hostel we've stayed in has given us a skeleton key. Yes, one of those weird looking keys that are usually only found in fairy tales or in old trunks in the attic. Finding one typically leads to a crazy adventure or hidden treasure.

At first, we found the keys to be charming. How quaint! They're so beautiful and unique! They're bigger and so much harder to lose! [Note: This last observation turned out to be very very false.]

They're also extremely finicky. Even after six weeks of using these keys, we still fumble with them, trying to figure out how to jiggle the key correctly so the lock turns properly. And usually, the lock requires you to use the key to get in or out of a room. We're constantly wondering, "Hmm, what if there were a fire or something and we had to do this quickly?"

But even more often, we wonder: "Why?"

Why skeleton keys? Why not a regular ol' key?

We haven't been able to get a good answer to this question. It's one of those things that just is... like why power outlets in one country are different from another, or why peanut butter really isn't a thing anywhere outside the United States.

So we ask you. Does anyone know why there are so many skeleton keys in Argentina?

-R