Buenos Aires - new tourism website
by mrtourne
The city of Buenos Aires has just launched a new and much improved tourism web site, the link is below. Among the things your can find there are:
A) Accomodation, restaurants, shopping and other searches by neighborhood, with links to the web sites for each area.
B) 10 self-guided tour circuits with maps for the major neighborhoods (e.g. San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Avenida de Mayo, Recoleta, etc.)
C) Information and times for all the free guided tours the City's Bureau of Tourism offers (e.g., Historic Center, La Boca, etc.)
D) 10 "thematic" tour circuits with best times to hit each spot - these are more difficult to find, they are under the "BUE for you" section on the top right of the page (some themes are "Nightlife", "Shopping", "Sunday", "Budget", etc.). The one drawback to this area is that maps are not included
E) General tourist services information.
All information is provided in spanish, english and portuguese.
Web Site:
Turismo Bs. As.
Taking the dogs for a walk!
by barryg23
Dog walking is a big business in Buenos Aires, particularly in affluent neighbourhoods such as Recoleta or Palermo, where the residents are either to lazy or too busy to look after their pets, and where you'll often see a dog walker controlling up a group of 10 or 15 dogs. Quite how he or she controls the group is a mystery to me, but it makes for a great specatacle.
Football in BA - "Barras Bravas"
by toshofbarra
Football in BA is a unique, fascinating and exciting experience. But you need to know and be aware of the "Barras Bravas"
Firstly, of course there is the simple fact that Argentinians love their football. Everyone knows that in football, local derby games have the most passion. In Argentina, most of the big teams are based in BA so every day is derby day - so much so that there are games on at different times in the city so you if like me, you love the game you can see 2 games on a sunday.
Each club has a "Barras Bravas" and they are basically the thugs. It is not unusual to have organised hooliganism but this is different. Often they have incredibly close links to the clubs and are involved in ticket distribution and various degrees of criminal activity. Club presidents are elected by the supporters hence the Barras Bravas often have a real influence on these elections. They arrive en mass just on kick off, about 2-300 hundred usually and stand behind the home teams goal - DO NOT GET IN THEIR WAY!! During the game, they lead the tempo, sing and chant and really add to the atmosphere but many genuine fans hate them. A recent game between Boca and River saw not only the team bus arriving live on TV but also the busses with the Barras Bravas!
I went to 4 games while I was in BA and had no trouble standing in the popular section. Take sensible precuations starting with recognising the Barras Bravas!
I have been to 2 world cups, the maracana, Camp Nou and Bernabeau but the atmosphere in BA is special (although doesnt quite have the history and hatred a Celtic-Rangers game does!). If you get the chance to go enjoy it... and come away wondering why all the teams have songs that go to the tune of "Karma Cameleon" (1980s hit in UK) - hilarious.
Oh, and when you get back to your hostel, you need to stop singing "la cunch, la cuncha, la cuncha a la tu madre"
Enjoy.
LOURDES DE SANTO LOGARES
by mtncorg
Hidden away in the western suburbs of BsAs – actually outside the Capital Federal and within the BsAs province – are the magnificent towers of this church, built above the grotto of Lourdes. The grotto is a place of pilgrimage, a place of healing transplanted from the site in the south of France. The church, the grotto and the grounds are well worth the pilgrimage out from the City’s core.
Congo
by silvinapaula about Best Palermo bar
It is a great place to drink and hang out with friends + 25 years, the best caipirinha in town! Drinking, Eating and to know new and great people: You can have this 3 at Congo Bar. Happy Hour style, Jeans, after work.
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The old ranch house
My excellent steak
Not the best bag to bring
Casa Rosada
