I'd like to go to Argentina, specifically Buenos Aires this January but I know zip, nada, nothing about it. Has anyone gone for work or for play? Whaddya think of it?





I'd like to go to Argentina, specifically Buenos Aires this January but I know zip, nada, nothing about it. Has anyone gone for work or for play? Whaddya think of it?
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE




I studied Spanish at a language school in the Recoleta district of BsAs in May of this year. It is a country which is still recovering from the collapse of their economy in 2000. There is extreme poverty but also substantial pockets of wealth, like a lot of major cities although the discrepancy seems more obvious there.
In 2000 and beforehand, the Argentine peso was pegged to the US dollar. Nowadays, USD to Argentine pesos are 3:1 so your money will go far. I was there for 2 weeks and spent only $400 in USD while there (including buying a beautiful pair of leather boots for $100).
You can find out a lot of info by searching Buenos Aires on wikipedia, lonelyplanet, statravel, etc. For the black experience, google: Blacks in Argentina and you should find a few blogs and news articles.
Pros:
Food is very inexpensive and VERY good. Every meal I had was delicious, no exceptions.
My language program, ECELA (www.latinimmersion.com) was of excellent quality with highly skilled native teachers and the program costs were a steal. I paid under $700 for 2 weeks of classes, 4hrs/day, 5 days/week and accomodations were included.
My accomodations were about a mile (twenty minute walk) from school and I stayed with a local female fashion designer with very fun cats who were the most energetic, interactive cats I've ever met, hands down! The designer had really nice friends and were very patient with me when I spoke to them in my seldom used, rusty Spanish.
You will find TONS of tango courses, Spanish classes, and cheap accomodations if you plan to stay awhile. The nicest districts ae Recoleta, Palermo, Palermo Soho, and Puerto Madero and you can find furnished monthly apartment rentals in those areas from $4-600 USD on up for the MONTH!
CONS:
I did not like the fact that the other student staying with us was an arrogant, mean-spirited Australian guy who was pretty rude to me after my welcoming dinner the first night with the host ad her friends.
I didn't like the reception I received from the locals and must warn you that if you are dark-skinned, you may be slighted a bit. I was stared at a LOT, and not in a curious or friendly way (unless you count the men with lecherous smiles, but they DID generally keep walking for the most part and weren't trying to follow me around as I explored the city).
The flight was about $1200 roundtrip, with one flight time change to account for the add'l $200 and the return flight was cramped.The flight was 17 hrs from LAX not including connection delays. I'm used to long flights but that was the longest I've been on by 6hrs!
There are a lot of pickpockets and you have to watch out for how crammed the streets are and for how everyone thinks everyone else is out to pickpocket them. Especially if the person is dark-skinned (Sounds fucked up, but it's true!) A lot of women, and a few men, in my program had stories of being robbed either in BsAs or in nearby Brazil, luckily without guns, but they did feel very threatened.
In summary, I would never go back to Argentina by myself, but I 'would' go again, with someone who looked more 'American' so I could just save myself some headache. There are two black women who lived in BsAs and/or visited for longer periods than me and had similar, although varied experiences.
One of them said that black women are automatically viewed to be Brazilian and/or prostitutes until proven otherwise and you have to deal with the negative associations that go along with each.
Argentinians are a very proud people, proud of their Italian heritage and culture, and I'm sure I would have settled in more and learned how to seek out the more liberal, open-minded people or a group of cool travellers, so my opinion is a bit short-sighted.
The Official Sandra London Website and Blog
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Damn! Thank you. It hadn't occured to me that they would assume I was Brazillian but the more I read their and Uruguay's history, the more I see the three have had bitter rivalries for centuries. They're not so likely to see the larger diaspora. I already speak a smattering of Italian and most Italian men I've met have been super impressed with that fact but I may or may not get props there. LOL However that exchange rate is mindblowing!!! I want to go because I hear it''s the Paris of South America and I'm always down for some cheap and chic clothes!!![]()
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE




I was there a couple years ago with one of my gfs, we stayed for a week with a side trip to Urugauy (its only 2 hours away by ferry) We stayed in Buenos Aires the whole time and everything was awesomly cheap (I bought so much crap I have a pic of me jumping up and down on the suitcase while my gf is trying to zip it) We had a really good time and the steak was amazing and incredible- the best cow
we've ever had, now i'm actually ruined for the steaks here
Mmmm we had a steak and a glass of wine every night for like $3. Anyway, my favorite experiences: Riding horses through the pampas, tour of the Tigre river, Tango show, the cemetery where Evita was burried and Colonia, Uruguay-its an cute little town- we rented scooters and rode around on the cobblestone. Oh, and we also went hangliding since we always wanted to do it and everything was really cheap.
Hope that helps.
These days I like to count my money. I like to wash it delicately and iron it. Sometimes I dry it with some bounty to make it all nice and cuddly. I love my money... did I say that out loud?





^^^^^^^^Oooooohhhhhh man, that sounds incredible too! $3 a day for steak and great wine???? I don't think I can say no now! I can't find airfares below a grand round trip from New York airports. Any advice on a cheap airline or a cheaper way to go?
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE





Damn, sounds fucking awesome. I'm talking to this Argentinean honey right now, I can ask him for more tips too. haha.![]()
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I was there for two months in early 2002, immediatly after the economy collapsed. I'll never forget seeing the protests in av. De Mayo and the lines in front of the ATM. I fell in love with buenos aires; the people, argentine accent, architecture, food, everything.
the others have written some excellent posts, I don't have much more to say than have a great trip.




forgot to mention the shopping!!!! Wow! Argentine women have great style. And right now it is ridiculously cheap.





Has anyone had plastic surgery there or know someone who has? Was it good or bad? My friend is getting some surgery because I've read the doctors are best in Argentina. But I haven't actually met anyone who has done it.
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE





I think it may be cheaper to get there by flying into a Lima for about $400 round trip and then taking the bus to Buenos Aires.
I would love to take a train if it's just like what they have in Europe. That would be an adventure in itself!
Last edited by Optimist; 07-23-2008 at 09:39 PM.
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE




^or maybe Santiago,chile? That's how I did it, long but beautiful journey across the Andes.




These days I like to count my money. I like to wash it delicately and iron it. Sometimes I dry it with some bounty to make it all nice and cuddly. I love my money... did I say that out loud?
Check out this guy's site, I love his book... but this is particularly applicable to you!




Optimist,
I think Argentinians bestowed themselves with the myth of Buenos Aires being the "Paris" of South America because they are of direct European descent as opposed to the neighboring countries. I lived in Paris for over two years as a university/grad student and BsAs AINT Paris!
It is kind of surreal that they are a society of far-flung Italians who adopted Spanish language eons ago and yet speak it with a slight 'Italian' accent. ! Just be careful if you go there by yourself if you do not 'bled' in....(look European/American/Latin).
ETA: I flew there with a connecting flight from LA to Santiago, Chile and then on to Argentina with Air Canada.
The Official Sandra London Website and Blog
My Live and Grind Emporium:
Listen to Playtime with Sandra Radio.





Holy Moly! I checked out what you were saying and I have a million questions!!
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE
I agree that Paris and BA are two very different cities. But I actually like BA a bit more. Argentina is a weird place. As you said, they are strangers in a strange land and have a lot more in common with a country like Australia than their close neighbors like Peru or Bolivia. The classic saying is that they are Italians that live in French houses, speak Spanish and think they are English.
Everything you heard about the food is true. Their beef is free range grass fed. As another poster stated, steak wont be the same for you after you return. And so cheap!
If you’re a shopper every dollar you bring will magically turn into three when you get through customs. We are talking name-brand stores. And if you are into art, BA is considered one of the best bargains going for original pieces.
Things you should note:
Dinner is about at 11pm, the bars start hopping around 2. If you go to a soccer game (which I recommend) I would suggest you take a guy with you – they can get very rowdy. Argentines can be arrogant, but I think they have been humbled to a degree by their recovery from the financial crisis. In the end though, they are nice. Very dry sense of humor if you are into that.
A trip report would be great!





I don't think I have the "stones" to attempt a soccer match!People take their futbol super super seriously! It's like hockey, a fight might break out!
I'm wondering if I should go to the city BsAs or the beach towns. The people sound pretty racist and flaky but a tourist heavy area might be waaay better!
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE




If you have your heart set on Argentina, I'd recommend Bs As over their other cities, with the possible exception of Bariloche. If you go to Bs As, you can take a ferry to Montevideo, Uruguay which is a short distance away and is known for their fabulous beaches. Most students I spoke with during my language program recommended this option.
Bariloche is in the north and is more of a ski resort type of place and tends to have wealthy natives and travellers there during the high winter season.
The Official Sandra London Website and Blog
My Live and Grind Emporium:
Listen to Playtime with Sandra Radio.




^Bariloche is gorgeous, mmmm all that yummy chocolate...
I agree Montevideo is nice, as is Colonia, already mentioned, also in Uruguay. For beaches Punta del Este is fabulous.
But do go to Buenos Aires, it's wonderful, my second favourite city in the whole world.
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