Hello! A while since the last update. I decided to try update after each city but we've stayed so long in BA that I might just do one once a week instead.
So, Argentina's capital. What is there not to like? It's cheap, safe, friendly and beautiful. Its big enough that you would not get bored in a week, but also not too big that it becomes intimidating (like Rio). We increased our original planned stay of 4 nights to 7 after just a few days. In that time we've managed to discover all the Barrios (districts), ate the finest steaks in the world, done the tango, toured Maradonna's spiritual footballing home, La Bombonera, visited Evita's balcony and generally just confused all the locals with our pigeon Spanish.
The first half of our stay was spent in San Telmo, Buenos Aires' oldest district. Cobbled roads and narrow streets it now contains more of the lower class housing. Over time most of the richer populace have moved north to the richer Barrios, Palermo and Recoletta.
South of San Telmo sits La Boca, home of the Argentina's most famous club, Boca Juniors. Now the poorest district in the city it is layered around the Boca's home stadium La Bombonera. Such is the passion, and hatred for their rivals, River Plate, no shop or sign display the colours red and white together. You had better like Pepsi because you'll be searching for a while for somewhere that advertises Coca Cola!
For the 2nd half of 7 nights we moved to an amazing hostel located right on BA's prime shopping street, Florida. Think Grafton street times 10. The hostel is so new that the bar is still being built downstairs. More like a hotel it has everything, FAST INTERNET, loads of organized activities, a constant buzz of friendly backpackers and spotless rooms with AIR CONDITIONING. Spot my two priorities there :)
Last night we danced our Last Tango in Buenos Aires. It was, also, our first Tango. Well my first. Just as the music started Karen informed me it was her 6th class. Its not like I was panicing enough already at that stage, I was now paired with an expert. The first half hour felt like ten hours. I remember looking at my watch after fourty minutes only to discover only four had actually passed. Masked only by the similar beginner skills around me we made it through the hour to the meal and show. A great experience.
We're packed up ready to go now. An overnight bus takes us to our next stop - Mendoza. True wine country, we hope to tour the vineyards and sample the vino. Well, I'll be sampling, Karen will be drinking her water watching me, trying to figure out how anyone could LIKE wine.
That's it for now. More updates soon. Hope everyone is well at home!
So, Argentina's capital. What is there not to like? It's cheap, safe, friendly and beautiful. Its big enough that you would not get bored in a week, but also not too big that it becomes intimidating (like Rio). We increased our original planned stay of 4 nights to 7 after just a few days. In that time we've managed to discover all the Barrios (districts), ate the finest steaks in the world, done the tango, toured Maradonna's spiritual footballing home, La Bombonera, visited Evita's balcony and generally just confused all the locals with our pigeon Spanish.
The first half of our stay was spent in San Telmo, Buenos Aires' oldest district. Cobbled roads and narrow streets it now contains more of the lower class housing. Over time most of the richer populace have moved north to the richer Barrios, Palermo and Recoletta.
South of San Telmo sits La Boca, home of the Argentina's most famous club, Boca Juniors. Now the poorest district in the city it is layered around the Boca's home stadium La Bombonera. Such is the passion, and hatred for their rivals, River Plate, no shop or sign display the colours red and white together. You had better like Pepsi because you'll be searching for a while for somewhere that advertises Coca Cola!
For the 2nd half of 7 nights we moved to an amazing hostel located right on BA's prime shopping street, Florida. Think Grafton street times 10. The hostel is so new that the bar is still being built downstairs. More like a hotel it has everything, FAST INTERNET, loads of organized activities, a constant buzz of friendly backpackers and spotless rooms with AIR CONDITIONING. Spot my two priorities there :)
Last night we danced our Last Tango in Buenos Aires. It was, also, our first Tango. Well my first. Just as the music started Karen informed me it was her 6th class. Its not like I was panicing enough already at that stage, I was now paired with an expert. The first half hour felt like ten hours. I remember looking at my watch after fourty minutes only to discover only four had actually passed. Masked only by the similar beginner skills around me we made it through the hour to the meal and show. A great experience.
We're packed up ready to go now. An overnight bus takes us to our next stop - Mendoza. True wine country, we hope to tour the vineyards and sample the vino. Well, I'll be sampling, Karen will be drinking her water watching me, trying to figure out how anyone could LIKE wine.
That's it for now. More updates soon. Hope everyone is well at home!
Where the Richers live.
Evita's famous balcony
Steak!
Andreas, Aynur, Karen, me and our Capirinhas
Chocolate!
La Boca
when we got the tour of the boca stadium, the guide told us that this was the only place in the world that coca-cola had agreed to change their brand colours (because of the rival team). the coke logo was all around the stadium, but it was in black instead of red!
ReplyDeleteYeah we got the tour too. I thought it was pretty underwhelming. It's a massive club with about the same money as a League 1 club in England.
ReplyDelete