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Your Stories From Abroad

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SLIDESHOW: On The Street In Buenos Aires

Estación 9 de Julio/Carlos Pellegrini/Diagonal Norte—where three subway lines meet—is perhaps the busiest and loudest ... read more

Julie Turkewitz
 

ArgentinaArgentina

They Say Everything Is Degenerating In Santa Ana, But I'm Not So Sure

As my companion slowed to a stop before a smiling, generously armed police officer, I was reminded that the crumbled road was indeed part of route 9, Argentina's main ... read more

 

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'Che' does not mean communist

In Argentina, people often say "che" to one another. The first time someone did this to me, it threw me for a loop. Were they making fun of me? Implying ... read more

by Anders Kelto

10 Feb 2009
Slang

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They aren't calling you fat!

Having learned Spanish in California and spoken it in Mexico, Spain, and Puerto Rico, I thought with a little review I'd be ready to take on the Porteños -- city ... read more

by Gianna Toboni

20 Mar 2009
Getting Around

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Hoard your coins

Porteños – those are locals of Buenos Aires – value the one peso coin more than the two peso note. Why? Local buses only accept coins, and everyone takes the bus. Be ... read more

by Julie Turkewitz

25 Apr 2009

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Blog Posts

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Picture Update! Miscellaneous Buenos Aires

Glimpse finally decided to let me upload pictures....this is just sort of a mishmash of pictures I've taken since being here.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Museo Historico Sarmiento: Named for Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (Argentine President between 1868-1879). Sarmiento is considered the 'Benjamin Franklin' of Argentina; from humble beginnings he became one of ... read more

Frankie DiCiaccio

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Being a Green Argentine

BEING A GREEN ARGENTINE This post was intended to begin “This past weekend…”, as I was planning on posting it last weekend (around the 18th of August, referring to Saturday the 15th). However, thanks to a busying schedule and then a bacterial infection, it was postponed. No worries – amoxicilina, ... read more

Frankie DiCiaccio

ArgentinaArgentina

The week my STUDY abroad began

This past week classes started (well....most of them...) Coming here, I knew that I would be studying at various universities, but I was not really sure what to expect as far as which ones, how far they were from one another or from my apartment, what kind of transportation was ... read more

Frankie DiCiaccio

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Picture Update: The Neighborhood

Inspired by cousin JJ, I hit the streets for a few hours today to take some pictures of my neighborhood (Belgrano - can be seen on this map of Buenos Aires - http://www.mapsofworld.com/argentina/buenos-aires-city-map.html).  Enjoy! Normal.dotm 0 0 1 2 Northwestern University 1 1 2 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt ... read more

Frankie DiCiaccio

ArgentinaArgentina

Week one!

Hi guys!  This blog has been 'in-process' for a while now, but with orientation and learning about my surroundings and trying to catch up on some sleep, there just didn't seem to be enough time to sit and make it happen. Anyway,  it's Saturday morning (...at least, for 18 more ... read more

Frankie DiCiaccio

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How to Ride the Bus in Buenos Aires

One of the most useful sources for travelers and locals alike in Buenos Aires is a bus guide called Guia T. This transit guide lists every bus throughout the city and to certain parts of the province, complete with grid maps and all. However, this guide can be quite limited ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Oh, Buenos Aires

  The Obelisk at Night   Someone asked me to contribute something to one of their travel blogs about the good and bad in Buenos Aires, so I thought I might as well post it on my own as well: Parque de la flor Oh Buenos Aires.  A place unlike any ... read more

Vina Rathbon

ArgentinaArgentina

Genesis

   I wake up at the piercing sound of my cheap cell phone alarm.A little light transpires through my red curtains and paints the walls in a warm pink light. My divinely cozy down-comforter begs me to press snooze, and how can I refuse its offer of warmth on a cold ... read more

Vina Rathbon

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Argentina's History and My Future, Together At Last

Part I Signs of history and class differences are all over Buenos Aires, and all you have to do is step outside to see them in front of you. Yesterday my friend Pablo helped me move a few bags to my new apartment in Recoleta, though I won’t be moving ... read more

Jon Brandt

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As far north as Jujuy

  Our drive to Jujuy began before the stray dogs were even up. We got our wake up call at 5:30 AM and were on the road within the hour. I’ve learned to take the tour guide’s advice. When he says, “Buy some coca leaves”, do. You probably will need ... read more

Audrey Bergner

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Leticia Henry

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Double-Barrelled Packing

I'm sitting in my room now and it's nearly empty. There are still the paintings on the wall that my roommate made, but my maps of Buenos Aires and Argentina are down. Most of my clothes are either packed up or at the laundromat. A suitcase lies opened and nearly ... read more

Jon Brandt

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A Note on the Style of Night Life in Buenos Aires

People think of Argentinians as very fashionable, and justly so. Walking through the Microcentro during the say, one finds high powered businessmen and women bustling about, wearing the latest fashions. There is a certain air carried by so many here, with the large sunglasses covering the face up and the ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Stuck in the Middle

Last night I went out with my friends Dan and Valerie, meeting up with a couple of Dan's students and their friends. Though the final destination was to be a house party in a residential neighborhood far away (I eventually hitch-hiked home at 5:30 am), we first went to the ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Get Your Own Culture!

How does one truly describe what culture is? You can go across the sea, visit museums, drink different wines and eat different foods, all in an attempt to get some culture. Listen to classical music, watch a foreign film, or see a play. Whatever it is that makes you think ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Life is to enjoy (La Vida es para gozarla)

Wow, it feels good to be solo on the beach. The breeze flows steadily from the southeast; it's beautiful, with the sun's streaking rays cutting through the thin frosting of clouds downward towards the sandy coast. This is no beach resort, this ain't no disco, no Caribbean coast, or tropical ... read more

Brian Funk

ArgentinaArgentina

What You Leave Behind

What do you gain when you spend so much time away from home, living abroad in some wild expat dream or traveling? Often enough, you wind up losing more than you think you're gaining. Ask yourself, do the long term potential benefits of leaving home really outweigh the short term ... read more

Jon Brandt

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A Picture For Your Thoughts

The other night I went home and found that an American couple were in my apartment purchasing a painting from my roommate, who’s an artist. It turns out they live on Nantucket, and we wound up talking for a long time. At some point the conversation turned to photography, and ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Mountains, Football, Dreams

You take away the mountains and the rough country roads, you take away the ancient buses with black plumes of smoke billowing behind, and you take away the expectation that every day will bring something totally new and unexpected. I wake up and it's all according to a plan now. ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Forget Paris

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about my place here in Argentina, and since meeting two new friends who feel similarly, I've been discussing it as well. Earlier in the week I wrote about not feeling that I perfectly fit in here, or that something is amiss, but ... read more

Jon Brandt

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Books

Don't buy new books in Buenos Aires.

Julie Turkewitz

24 Jun 2009

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Julie Turkewitz

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Buenos Aires is pure temptation for book lovers. Glossy new books practically spill out of stores on Santa Fe and Corrientes, and you can't get off a colectivo without seeing yet another bookstore. But literature nerds: Don't purchase those unread books. Save your pesos for something even better -- BA's healthy used book business. If you are into low prices and dusty pages, head to a great no-name place at the corner of Corrientes and Rodriguez Pena. Or, if you have some time, take the the A subway and get off at Acoyte. You'll find a great plaza with tons of used book stores and plenty of salesman happy to discuss their favorite works.

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Getting Around

Please collaborate with the Monedas!

Brian Funk

20 Nov 2009

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Brian Funk

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One message beams from the subway stations and kiosks of Buenos Aires: "Please collaborate with the Monedas!" Monedas are Argentine coins, and my advice is to hold on to these small treasures with your life--they are the only form of currency that buses accept. I've had a few instances where I found myself without enough change as I was about to get on a bus. If this happens to you, look for the nearest kiosk and buy one of Argentina's rich chocolates for two pesos--the change should help.

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Festivals & Events

Getting the "in" on cultural activities in Buenos Aires

Julie Turkewitz

30 Jun 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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Buenos Aires is so full of concerts, art exhibits, dance shows, and fairs that choosing a cultural activity can be overwhelming. One way to get the "in" on weekly activities is to sign up for the city government's "Cultura en la Semana" listserv. Send an email to laculturaenlasemana@buenosaires.gov.ar, requesting to be a part of the e-mail list, and you'll start getting regular updates about annual festivals, free tango shows, new exhibits at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, and more.

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Culture Shock

Don't take offense at the flattery

Audrey Bergner

11 Oct 2009

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Audrey Bergner

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If you’re heading to Argentina, you should know that the men are not afraid to lavish women with flattering words. If a woman is walking down the street and a man finds her attractive, he will pay her a compliment, which is called a "piropo." These compliments can range from flirtatious remarks to poetic verse. “Piropos” are considered an art form, so don’t be too shocked or offended if as you walk by a man whispers sweet nothings into your ear. Just smile back in return... it’s all in good fun!

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Must Do

Ride the bus to the end of the line

Julie Turkewitz

28 Jun 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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If you're tired of seeing the same scenery in Buenos Aires, try this: Hop on a colectivo (that's a city bus!), any colectivo, and don't get off. Until the end. You will definitely discover something new. When I first arrived in the city, a friend and I caught a bus to El Caminito, a colorful section of Buenos Aires that thrives on throngs of curious tourists. We realized we'd missed El Caminito after the paved avenue turned to a dirt road, horse-drawn buggies sidled up next to us, and the city's skyscrapers were replaced by modest one-story houses. Just forty minutes out of the city, we had arrived in a completely different Argentina. I have yet visit El Caminito, but this accidental adventure has been one of my favorite experiences here.

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Etiquette

Drinking mate like a local

Julie Turkewitz

30 May 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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Mate is a hot drink that serves as Argentina’s social glue. Want to sip like a local? When the mate is passed to you, sip until you have finished all the liquid in the gourd. Then pass it back to the server. Don’t say “thanks.” Why? Saying “thank you” implies that you’re done and you don’t want another round. Just nod, smile, and pass it on.

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Food

It's okay to eat Pancho!

Jon Brandt

04 Oct 2009

Argentina

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If you've been around Latin America, you know that "Pancho" is a nickname for someone named Francisco. However, in Argentina, Pancho is the word used for hot dogs. No one calls them "perros calientes" or "hoht dohgs". So don't get too confused or worried when someone asks you if you want to eat Pancho.

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Health

How to get vaccinated for free

Julie Turkewitz

28 Jun 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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Keep in mind that if you are in Argentina and want to travel to Bolivia, you'll need to get a vaccine against yellow fever. If you don't want to shell out the 100 pesos for the vaccine -- that's almost $30 U.S. -- you can head to a free clinic at Avenida Ingeniero Huergo 690. The staff there does the vaccine without charge, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I showed up at 9:45 a.m. and was done by 10:30 a.m. Good luck!

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Slang

'Che' does not mean communist

Anders Kelto

10 Feb 2009

Argentina

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Anders Kelto

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In Argentina, people often say "che" to one another. The first time someone did this to me, it threw me for a loop. Were they making fun of me? Implying that I was a communist? Eventually, I figured out that it's just a way of saying "hey" or "yo" or is sometimes a term of endearment. So don't worry, if someone uses this term, it doesn't mean they think you're a pinko commie--it means they like you. Although, this being Argentina, they might like you even more if you are a pinko commie.

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Nightlife

No drinking the night before an election

Julie Turkewitz

28 Jun 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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Here's something handy (and interesting): In Argentina, it is illegal to sell alcohol the night before an election. The idea is that politicians want the electorate to head to the polls with clear heads. Technically, grocery stores, kiosks and bars stop selling in the early evening, and discoteques just don't open. Of course, compliance with the law is spotty, and you shouldn't have trouble ordering alcohol at a restaurant -- just ask your waiter to dress your drink as a soda or a smoothie.

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Being an American

You’re not the only American here

Julie Turkewitz

25 Apr 2009

Argentina

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Julie Turkewitz

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Referring to yourself as an “American” in South America is tricky. Most U.S. citizens learn to identify themselves simply as “American,” with the understanding that this communicates they are from the United States. But remember that a Mexican, Chilean, Argentine – really anyone from North or South America – is also an American. While some Latin Americans freely use “americano” to specify a U.S. citizen, others think using the term in this way implies a certain arrogance. To avoid appearing socially unaware, just skip the word altogether. You can use “estadounidense” to describe yourself.

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