This year, the Buenos Aires summer we have so far is hotter than ever! After a long streak of heatwave just a few weeks ago, we are experiencing another one up to 40°C. Other than taking refuge indoor with air-conditioning, cooling off in a swimming pool sounds like a great alternative. If you don’t live in one of those luxury apartment buildings with swimming pool, here are some easily accessible options for you:

1) Public Pool
These pools are city government run and are part of the facilities of a big park or a recreational centre. The pools are only open during the summer months, that is January and February. Since it is the summer holidays here, during the month of January, these pools are occupied by summer camps during weekdays, and are only open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. When these summer camps end in early February, the pools will be available all week long. You can expect big crowds on the weekends but it is the most economical option. These 2 are the biggest and the most popular outdoor public pools:

Parque Manuel Belgrano (Ex-KDT)
Salguero 3450 (y Av. Costanera), Palermo
Tel.: 4807-7918
- Pool access:
January – only available to public on Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 6pm
February – Tuesday – Sunday and public holidays 9am – 7pm
- Fee (park entrance fee and access to all park facilities including the pools):
AR$35 per person

Parque Presidente Sarmiento
Av Ricardo Balbín 4750, Saavedra
Tel.: 4547-0882 / 4541-2722
- Pool access:
January – only available to public on Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 7pm
February – Monday – Sunday 10am – 7pm
- Fee: Check their website for updates on 2014 prices.

For the other smaller ones, they are free to the public but ask for a small donation. You can find the list of Buenos Aires public pools here.

2) Outdoor pool at a private recreational complex

Parque Norte
Av. Cantilo y Guiraldes, Ciudad Universitaria
Pool access: Monday – Friday 9am – 10pm. Saturdays and Sundays 8am – 8pm
Fee: They have various pricing options, from ‘no socio‘ (non-member) one-day pass to season pass. Click here for more info.

Club Comunicaciones
Av. San Martín 5125, Agronomía
Pool access: Tuesday – Sunday 9am – 10pm
Fee: They also have various pricing options for non-members and members. Click here for more info.

3) Pool at fancy hotel
Many big hotels and trendy boutique hotels welcome non-hotel guests to use their pool and spa/gym facilities at a fee. Not all of their pools are outdoor pools though, call the hotel of your choice to ask for more information. Here are 2 suggestions that have an outdoor pool:
- Faena Hotel in Puerto Madero – During their pool season from September – April, they offer a daily pass for US$150 per person which includes towels, bathrobes, access to changing rooms and spa facilities. The pass is good from 8am to 8pm.
- Home Hotel in Palermo – Until March 2014, they are offering a Pool day pass for AR$400 per person. You will have access to their pool which is in their backyard garden from 10am – 8pm daily. Limited capacity, reservation is a must.

4) Pool for swimming laps
If you are looking for pools to exercise and not lounging around, then indoor pool at a sport facility is what you need. They are open all year round and they do require you to become a member, usually for a minimum of 1 month. There are many around but here are the prominent ones in the Palermo/Recoleta area.

Megatlon  - a few branches including the Barrio Norte one have a pool
Well Club - the Arenales branch has pools
American Sport – the Barrio Norte branch has pools
Instituto de Natación y Deportes – El Salvador 5470, Palermo
Full Time Gym – Paraguay 2377, Recoleta – 5778-1480

Vamospanish

Around this time of the year is the Carnival season all around the world, including the Rio de Janiero’s Carnival, which has to be the most famous one in South America. When it comes to Argentina, festive colorful carnivals aren’t probably the association one would make right away; however, do you know that we do have Carnival celebrations here in Argentina too?

There is a reason why Carnivals seem to be a new cultural custom in Argentina but it has actually been around in this land since hundreds of years ago. The very origin of Carnival in Argentina can be traced back to the 1600′s during the Spanish colonial time. The Carnival started as a celebration of a mixture of Spanish heritage and the Candombe dance performed by the black slaves. At first, they were only practiced privately in individual houses but slowly over the centuries, they were expanded to neighborhood clubs and then developed into the more organized public street celebrations completed with masks, colorful costumes, elaborated floats and parades. The popularity of Carnival celebrations reached its new heights in early 1900′s.

In 1956, the Carnival days were recognized as public holidays, but 20 years after, the military dictatorship removed them as holidays. It was because of this change, many of the Carnival traditions in Argentina had been interrupted and lost. Even though they weren’t as wildly celebrated and observed as before, a few cities have kept the traditions going. In the case of the City of Buenos Aires, they have replaced it with a different form called ‘murgas‘, an attempt to keep the Carnival spirit alive.

Just recently in 2011, the Argentine government has reinstated the Carnival holidays making it a 4-day long weekend nationwide. The Carnivals and their festivities have finally been revived. Moreover, for many Argentines, especially the younger generations, who might have heard about all these Carnival traditions and stories from their parents like fairy tales, they could be in fact experiencing this long-lost tradition for the very first time.

The biggest and the most important Carnival celebration in Argentina takes place in Gualeguaychú. There are parades and performances every Saturday from the beginning of January till the 4-day Carnival holiday weekend, which this year falls on March 1 – 4, 2014.

The other popular carnival destinations are:
- Los Carnavales de Corrientes will begin on February 4 and end on the long weekend. They will also be celebrating their 50th Anniversary of Carnival traditions.

- El Carnaval de la Quebrada de Humahuaca takes place in Tilcara, a city in Jujuy. The festivities start on February 20 and last till March 9, 2014, with traditional carnival celebrations combine with local rituals paying tributes to “Pachamama” (an Inca goddess similar to Mother Earth). The most important ritual is where they will unearth the “devil”, begin the party with dancing, music playing and fireworks marching through their small towns and end with the burial of the “devil” again a week later. You can read more about this ritual here (in Spanish).

- Los Carnvavales de Salta begins on January 17 till the long weekend. They have parades and celebrations almost every night at different locations in the city of Salta.

- Last but not least, in the City of Buenos Aires, from February 1 to March 2, there will be organized parades by murgas on Saturdays and Sundays taking place at the main streets of different neighborhoods in the city. Check out the city website for more information.

If you are interested in travelling to any one of the locations mentioned above to participate in the Carnival festivities, we highly recommend you to book your travels and lodgings ahead of time. They are very popular attractions among Argentine residents too!

Vamos
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Argentina has the 5th largest Irish community in the world and no doubt St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the capital city, Buenos Aires, is one of the most highly anticipated annual events. March 17 is the famous date but since it falls on a Monday this year, it is been causing some confusions as to when the festivities will actually take place. After some searching for reliable sources, we believe we have straightened it out and here are the information so you can prepare yourself!

The organized markets, parade and shows will take place on Sunday March 16, 2014. Beginning at 12 noon, Plaza San Martin will turn into an Irish fair with food vendors and artisanal arts & crafts stands. At 2:30pm, there will be an historical reenactment with more than 100 actors to pay tribute to the 200th Anniversary of the Martín García Battle which was led by Admiral William Brown (or Guillermo Brown in Spanish), who was an Irish-born Argentine Admiral and founder of the Argentine Navy.

At 6pm, the traditional parade will commence at Arroyo and Suipacha towards Plaza San Martin. Among all these, there’ll also be a costume competition of “leprechauns” (gnomos) and “faires” (hadas), and cultural music and dance performances. All the bars and pubs in that area will also join in on this yearly celebration.

If you are a traditionalist and will only celebrate on the actual date of March 17, all the Irish or non-Irish bars and pubs will definitely have some type of party and promotions going on on Monday. Check out this list here.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Vamos
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As summer comes to an end here in Buenos Aires, the weather gets cooler, everyone is back from vacation, students are back at school, and the city has returned to its hustling and bustling self. This also means the city activity calendar is full again with many cultural events and highly anticipated annual festivals. Here is a brief look at the upcoming noteworthy events in this 2014 fall season and mark your calendar!

Buenos Aires Market
This organic and healthy food market has been growing in popularity and size exponentially since it started a few years ago. From once a season at 2 different locations to almost once every month at a different neighborhood. Not only you can enjoy freshly made food and drinks there, you can also do your shopping on a wide-range of health food and organic products which are otherwise hard to find at normal supermarkets.
The next one is on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23, 2014 in the Caballito neighborhood.

Buenos Aires International Film Festival - BAFICI – April 2 – 13, 2014
A 12-day huge event for movie-lovers! The schedule will be jam-packed with 400 movies from all over the world, most of them are ticketed shows but there are free events for general public too, like the outdoor movie screenings at the Parque Centenario and Planetario. You can find the program online at their website but we prefer flipping through their program book which you can find at one of these participating locations.

Feria del Libros – April 24 – May 12, 2014
It’s one of the biggest and most prominent annual events in the Spanish speaking literary world. This book fair will be celebrating its 40th this year, for sure we’ll be in for something special!

Arte BA – May 23 – 26, 2014
It is an important yearly event for the contemporary art world in Latin America. Hundreds of galleries from all around the world will be showcasing works from artists they represent.

Feria PuroDiseño – May 20 – 25, 2014
This fair brings together all types of designers from Argentina and other countries. The exhibitors are categorized into a variety of areas like clothing, accessories, kids, jewelry, home decoration, food, eco-friendly, and so on. Many of these designers will be launching their new products at this event. If you love design and appreciate new creative ideas for everyday life, this show is for you. It’s a great opportunity to do some shopping too whether you are looking for a gift for that special someone or just for yourself.

Note: Some of these events are still a month or so away, their websites might not have all the details yet. More information will become available as we get closer to their start dates.

Vamos
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Whether you are just starting to research about travelling to Buenos Aires or you are already here, give these 2 quizzes a shot and find out how much you already know or not about Buenos Aires! They are by no means difficult but it’s a fun way to learn more about this fabulous city and let the answers become your visit guide since they cover some of the key historical sites and local cultural icons which you should not miss while you are in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires Quiz by National Geographic (No need to register, just click ‘I’ll register later’ in the right top corner to proceed.)

Mi Buenos Aires Querido Quiz by Fun Trivia (No sign in required.)

If you are intrigued to find out more about some of the topics mentioned in the quizzes, here are some extra and interesting info:

National Geographic quiz:
• Answer to #2 – A video about the Church of Maradona. Yes, you read it right, there’s a church created under his name, and yes he is their god of football, and yes, you need to be baptized to be part of it. Watch it here.

• Answer to #6 – A little more on our gorgeous opera house and its official site link.

• Answer to #7 – One of our most convenient means of public transport and definitely learn how to navigate the city by bus. Note that the bus fare has gone up earlier this year, they are currently AR$2.50 – AR$2.85 per trip if travel within the city limits and paid with the SUBE card. You can also pay with coins if you don’t have the card, but the fare will be double the indicated.

• Answer to #9 – You probably didn’t get this right, did you? Read more about the National Sport of Argentina here.

Fun Trivia quiz:
• Answer to #8 – If you are down on luck, it won’t hurt to follow this Argentine tradition on the 29th!

• Answer to #9 – Make sure you read these guides to help you with which cut to order and how to order them when you find yourself at one of the Buenos Aires steakhouses.

• Answer to #10 – A brief Argentine historical background on the formation of this group of brave women.

Vamospanish

World Cup 2014 is heating up all around the world, and definitely here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. If you are in the city watching the live broadcast on local TV here, it is pretty hard to understand what the commentators are saying other than ‘goooool!’ and “Pulga Pulga Pulga” (Just in case you don’t know yet, “La Pulga” (The Flea) is the nickname for Messi) since they speak really fast and also probably you are not familiar with football vocabularies in Spanish yet. Well, here we are to help you with a list of some basic common football terms we use in Buenos Aires.

(Note: Since football is such a prominent sport in many Spanish-speaking countries, there are many regional varieties. The list below represents what we commonly use in Buenos Aires; a more general term in brackets, if any.)

World Cup = Copa Mundial
Team = Equipo
National Team = La Selección
Team line up = Alineación
Opposing team/rival = Adversario/Contricante
Football shirt = Camiseta
Football shoe(s) = Botín(es) (Zapatillas)
Football = pelota (balón)
Fans = Hinchas (Aficionados)
Hooligans = Barra bravas

Game = Partido/Encuentro
Friendly game = Partido amistoso
Season = Temporada
League = Liga
First/Second Period = Primer/Segundo tiempo
Half Time = entretiempo (descanso/medio tiempo)
Extra Time = Descuento (Tiempo Extra/Tiempo Suplementario)
to Win/to Defeat = Ganar/Vencer
to Lose = perder
Winners = Ganadores
a Beating (a big win) = Paliza
Defeat = Derrota
Draw = Empate
Qualifying round = Eliminatoria
Semifinal = Semifinal
Final/Championship = Final / campeonato
Finalist = Finalista
First runner up = Subcampeón
Champion = Campeón – Vencedor del torneo del que se esté hablando.
Scoreboard = Marcador
Rules = Reglamento/Normas/Reglas

Stadium = Estadio
Football field/pitch = La cancha (el campo de juego)
Dressing room = Vestuario
Sideline = Línea de banda lateral o simplemente Línea
Goal line = Línea de fondo/gol o simplemente Línea
Player box = Palco
Goal = Arco (Portería/Meta)
Goalpost = Palo (Poste)
Crossbar = Travesaño (Larguero/Barra horizontal)
Referee = Árbritro
Linesman/asistant referee = Auxiliar/Juez de línea/Asistente
Coach = Entrenador/Director Técnico (DT)
Training = Entrenamiento
Tactics/Strategy = Táctica
Technique = Técnica
Captain = Capitán
Goalkeeper = Arquero (Portero/Guardameta)
Forward = Delantero
Midfielder = Mediocampista
Defense = Defensor

Fair play = Fair play (Juego limpio)
Foul play = Juego sucio
Assist = Asistencia
Score/Goal! = Gol! or usually it’s more like Gooooooooooool!
Great goal = Golazo
Invalid goal = Gol anulado
Own goal = Gol en contra (Propia meta)
Foul = Falta (Infracción)
Handball = La mano
Offside = Offside (Fuera de juego/Posición adelantada)
Yellow card = Tarjeta amarilla
Red card = Tarjeta roja
Penalty = Penal
Corner Kick = Corner (Saque de esquina)
Throw In = Saque de banda/Saque Lateral
Goal Kick = Saque de arco
Out of bound (sideline) = Fuera de banda/Línea
Out of play = Fuera de juego
Free kick = Tiro libre directo/indirecto
Change of players = Cambio/Variante

a Pass = un Pase/Toque
a Shot = un Tiro (Disparo/Chutazo)
a Move = una Jugada
Header = Cabezazo
Flop = Tirarse al piso
Counter attack = Contraataque/Contragolpe
Defense = Defensa
Offense = Delantera
to Dodge = Gambetear (Regatear)
to Expel = Expulsar
to Hit the ball with the head = Cabecear
to Mark (a player) = marcar
to Score = Meter un gol (Anotar/Marcar)
to Kick = Golpear/Patear
to Shoot = Tirar/Disparar
the “Wall” = Barrera
Crossed-kick = Rabona

Olé, Olé, Olé!

Vamos
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August is tango month in Buenos Aires because of our Annual Tango Festival and World Championship that takes place at this time of the year. The 2014 Tango Festival will begin on Wednesday August 13 and go till Tuesday August 26, 2014. It offers tons of free shows and activities like concerts, dance performances and exhibitions, tango classes and workshops led by well-known tango professionals, milongas, movie showings and tango merchandise market.

The Opening Concert will kick off this year´s festivities at Usina del Arte on Wednesday August 13 at 8:30pm. It will be a concert by Osvaldo Berlingeri and his orchestra, and then at 9:15pm another concert by Orquesta del Tango de la Ciudad Buenos Aires paying tribute to our great tango icon Aníbal Troilo. 2014 marks the 100th birthday of Aníbal Troilo, so you´ll see this recurring theme throughout the festival.

All of the shows and activities are free admission. However, due to limited capacity at certain venues, some events are on a first come first serve basis, and some will also require tickets. These tickets will be given out to the public an hour before the show starts, read here for more information on how to get them.

A full schedule of the festival can be found at the Official Website of Tango BA.

Vamospanish

8 years and counting, La Bomba de Tiempo drumming show is still the thing to do on Monday nights in Buenos Aires. La Bomba de Tiempo is a 16-piece drumming group whose performances are completely improvisational and communications between the conductor and the percussionists are all done through signs and gestures. Since the group was formed in 2006, they have developed a system that consists of more than 100 signaling motions using hands, fingers and the body. They started performing at Konex Cultural Center every Mondays and their shows became an instant hit among the young hip crowd. As word spread, soon enough not only around-the-block line-ups outside the cultural center every Monday, but their popularity also brought them outside of Buenos Aires, touring and jamming with famous musicians including Calle 13, Café Tacuba and the likes.

If you enjoy outdoor music show where you can dance to energetic yet hypnotizing beat in a very buena onda (good vibe) environment, then you definitely have to pencil in La Bomba de Tiempo on your Buenos Aires MUST-do list!

To get a glimpse of what all this hype is about, check out this video. And don’t forget to go to Konex website for show information and get your ticket ahead of time.

Vamospanish

We love this time of the year in Buenos Aires because it’s the beginning of warm weather before it gets steamy hot; everyone has fully come out of their hibernation and the energy in the city is amazing! What more exciting is that this is the season when major outdoor music festivals happen! Let’s get to it – the run down for 2014:

Personal Fest 2014, the usual suspect in the music festivals agenda. This year’s event will take place on Saturday November 8 and Sunday November 9. It’s unfortunate that it coincides with Creamfields (why?!!). This festival always brings in super fun bands from all over, this year’s headlines include Arctic Monkey, MGMT, The Hives, Morcheeba, Calle 13, just to name a few. Go to their official site to find out more.

If you don’t want to miss out the biggest and the best dance music party in Argentina (yes, not just Buenos Aires), then mark down Saturday Nov. 8 on your calendar. That’s the date for Creamfields 2014. 5 stages, begin at 4pm till 6am. You can dance till sunrise. More info at creamfieldsba.com.

A newcomer has joined the party this year and it is the Music Win! Festival. A 2-day event, Sunday November 23 and Monday November 24 (public holiday!), that brings in international musicians and bands of all genre. A true feast for all music fans. Check out their website for more info.

Like all the art cultures in Buenos Aires, there’s something for everyone. Prefer a more chill than rocking out music experience, we have that too. This year’s Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival will take place from Nov. 19 – 24, 2014. Since the organizer for this festival is the city government, that means other than ticketed events, there are also many free concerts for all to enjoy. At the time of publishing this blog, the 2014 edition website and program is not up yet, so keep checking the city’s general festival site for updates.

Last but not least, if the occasional music events aren’t enough to quench your thirst, then we have PM Open Air Music. Started a couple of summers ago in an alley in Palermo Soho, cool DJs and bands play live every Saturday under the BA sun. This weekly event has become so popular that now during this Summer season, you can find it every Saturday 3pm to10pm at Punta Carrasco (Av. Rafael Obligado 2221), a beautifully located venue space next to the river. Free entry till 4:30pm. Ticket at AR$80 afterwards. Go early if you want to make sure you can get in or buy advance tickets at INFINIT (an eye glasses shop at Thames 1602, Palermo Soho). More info at their FB page.
(Above photo from PM Open Air Music. By Julian Farina Ph)

Isabel
Vamospanish

When it comes to hearing the word ‘Argentina’ in relation to sports, the reaction most likely will be football or more specifically Messi (Maradona if you’re of an older generation) popping into one’s mind. It could also be Del Potro “La Torre de Tandil” if one is a tennis fan. Or, Carlos Delfino/Manu Ginobli for NBA fans. Rarely it would be associated to polo. In fact, not only Argentina is one of the most recognized countries in the world of polo, Argentine players actually constantly dominate in the ranking. (See Current World Polo Ranking, 7 out of Top 10 are Argentines.)

Even to those who are from and living in Argentina, those players’ names on the board are not household names given polo still very much remains as an elitist sport despite it was introduced to this country centuries ago by the British colonists. Nevertheless, if you are interested in experiencing some polo, it is not that out of reach if you know where to look especially 3 of the most important world polo tournaments are held annually here in/near Buenos Aires. Thus, one of them is just around the corner!

Abierto Argentino de Polo (Argentine Open Polo Championship) is the most important polo tournament in the world and it takes place yearly right here in Buenos Aires at Catedral del Polo in Palermo. The championship has 7 game dates and this year’s will start on Saturday November 15 and the Final on Saturday December 6. You can get your tickets here in advance or at the gate on game day. For more information on dates and teams, please visit the Argentine Polo Association website (Spanish only).

Last but not least, before you head out to watch a game, give this polo basics guide a read, so you won’t be completely lost with what’s happening.

(Photo credit: it’s the cover of book “Argentine Open in Palermo” by Maria Lia and Luis Garrahan)

Vamospanish

Tons of museums dotted all over the city of Buenos Aires, but who wants to be inside when it is so nice outside? Don’t sweat! This Saturday November 15, 2014 you will get to visit museums all night long. La Noche de los Museos is a yearly event organized by the city government where 200 participating museums will keep their doors open from 8pm to 3 am. (See map here)

Special cultural programs are also part of this Museum Night: Guided tours, unique exhibitions, art performances, live music, talks, milongas and so on are just some activities you can find taking place at different museums on the night’s program. Go to their official website La Noche de los Museos for schedule details.

What’s more? All entry and activities are free-of-charge, and there’s a Free Bus Pass which you can print out so you can move free-ly and easily to visit as many places as you like.

Vamospanish

Among many students who have come to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires, they all have one common comment and that is Argentines, especially porteños (those from the big city Buenos Aires), speak really fast and it’s hard to understand. When I first arrived in Buenos Aires many years ago with the little Spanish I had in my pocket, I didn’t get bothered too much by the speed because I just thought I wasn’t good enough. As I slowly increased my Spanish fluency over the years, I do realize that porteños seem to speak a lot faster than others but that isn’t just because of the speed, it has a lot to do with the words they use too. One thing obvious is that they love to shorten a lot of their frequently-used words.

Let me explain.

In order to get their ideas across faster, Argentines love to abbreviate words by shortening or combining them. One term you’d hear regularly when it comes to food is “chori” for chorizo (beef sausage)/choripan (beef sausage with bread) and “chimi” for chimichurri (THE sauce to go with the meat), as you know how much we love our choripan with chimi! Others like common objects: “compu” for computadora (computer), “pelu” for peluquería (hair salon), “zapa” for zapatillas (runners/sneakers. Don’t confuse with zapatos which mean shoes in general)… the list goes on.

Of course not every word will be/can be shortened, that’d just sound too ridiculous, but there’s definitely a pattern. Once you start paying attention, you’ll get to catch on quickly. To further demonstrate and with more examples, here is a typical conversation scenario between 2 friends run into each other:

JORGE – ¡Ey! ¡Hola Rami! ¿Cómo andás?
RAMIRO – ¡Hola Jorge! ¿Cómo estás? Hace mucho tiempo que no te veo en mi barrio. ¿Qué onda?
J-  Todo bien. Voy a buscar a mi novia para ir al cine. Tengo entradas para la nueva peli[cular] con Ricardo Darín. y ¿vos, qué vas a hacer?
R – Nada interesante. Tengo que comprar una mochi[la] (backpack) para my hijo porque este finde (fin de semana) me voy con mi familia para Mardel (Mar del Plata) a descansar un poco sin el celu[lar] y sin la compu[tadora].
J- Genial. Necesitabas unas vacaciones.
R- Sí, porque en el trabajo me volvieron loco este año. Estoy cansado de tanta tecnología. A mi mujer y a mi nos pareció que estaría bueno si les mostramos a los chicos una vida más tranqui[la]. Unos días juntos sin tanta tele[visión].
J- Claro, así ellos también van a poder descansar del cole[gio] (this refers to primary or secondary schools).
R- Sí, porque en esta época del año los profes[ores] se ponen muy estrictos con los examenes. ¿Viste? Che Rami, cambiando el tema, ¿Contame cómo vas con la facu[ltad] (university)?
J- Bárbaro. Aprobé todo los examenes y me queda sólo un cuatri[mestre] para recibirme.
R- Te felicito. ¡Me alegra! Uy, casí olvidé que tengo que pasar por el súper[mercado] también para comprar carne para esta noche. Si no, me va a matar mi mujer.
J- jaja. Dale. ¡Qué tengan un buen viaje! Mandame un mail después contándome como te fue, porfa (por favor).
R- Dale. ¡Cuidate amigo!

Now that you know this little tip, hope it’ll help you to ‘listen’ better and able to catch more words from a fast talking Argentine. You may realize you can understand more than you thought!

Isabel
Vamospanish

December is here. Temperature is rising. Tons of events are taking place on this long weekend in Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires Market
This ever-growing and very popular healthy fresh food market is having its last one this year in 2014. Over 70 different food vendors, from producers to cooks, will set up shop this Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7 from 10am – 7pm in Parque Rivadavia, Caballito. You will get to taste and buy prepared food as well as grocery shop fresh produce directly from those who farm them. The market is free entrance but remember to bring enough cash if you intend to make purchases.

La Gran Milonga Nacional
What more romantic than dancing tango with live music in the background under sparkling lights in a tree-lined street accompanied by historical french-style architecture? To us, that’s something pretty hard to beat and the best thing is that scenario is not from a movie at all, you can totally experience it first hand at this Saturday’s annual outdoor tango event, La Gran Milonga Nacional. Avenida de Mayo will be blocked off from Plaza de Mayo to Av. 9 de Julio, from 8pm to 3am and it’s FREE. Whether you dance or not, just go and soak up the passion and romance in the air!

Feria Internacional de Artesanías de Buenos Aires
This annual fair is hands down one of our favorites throughout the year in Buenos Aires, and we go to a lot! Read our account from last year’s event and you will understand why this fair is different from any other arts and crafts markets. If you need to buy presents to bring home for Christmas, then you definitely don’t want to miss out this event: December 3 – 8, 2014 from 3pm to 10pm at La Rural, Palermo. General admission: AR$45.

Christmas Fair at British Embassy
This family-friendly fundraising event is a Christmas tradition for the Argentine British Community Council. The Gardens of the British Embassy (Newton 2575, Recoleta) will open its doors this Saturday December 6 from 11am to 7pm. There will be an arts & crafts market and food stands, together with Santa Claus (at 4pm), carol singing, live band from Salvation Army, jumping castle, raffles and so on. Entrance fee is AR$30, free for children under 12 years old. Photo ID is required at entrance. It’s never too early to get in some Christmas spirit!

¡Qué tengan un buen fin de semana!

Vamospanish

Photo by Gustavo Correa, from Festivales de Buenos Aires FB.

Foreigners who are visiting Buenos Aires in January and February are most likely escaping from the cold weather in the northern hemisphere; thus, feeling the sun and being outdoor as much as possible is always high on the agenda. Last week, we have already given you some beach ideas around the city, but you may ask, how about after the sun sets, what are there to do to stay outside? Good news, there are actually quite some great options other than just grabbing a bite at a nice restaurant´s patio.

From now till February 8, a city-wide summer festival called Verano en La Ciudad is offering up a bunch of activities in the evenings. Stages and seatings have been set up at various outdoor locations, like parks and plazas, at different neighborhoods in the city where you will get to enjoy live concerts, theatre, milonga, circus performaces and movie screenings.

If you are more of a fan of the classic arts, then head over to Teatro Colón because they are bringing their shows outdoor! Well, not exactly a live performance, but they will be showing some of the best international opera, ballet and symphony productions on a big screen at the Plaza Vaticano which is right next to the theatre. This will take place from January 15 to February 7, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm.

All of the aforementioned events are free of charge. Seats are first come first serve so go early! For more information and the schedules, visit their corresponding websites:

Verano en La Ciudad

Festival de Música en Plaza Vaticano

Now, let`s hope the weather will cooperate and cause no interruption to our outdoor fun!

Vamospanish

As we are learning a foreign language, other than making sure we are grasping the grammar and applying them correctly in a classroom setting, we often feel like testing ourselves and trying to see how we actually fare in the real world. Able to interact with native speakers is definitely one of the best ways to achieve that. Having a language immersion experience like learning Spanish in Buenos Aires with us at Vamos Spanish Academy, will definitely allow you to have lots of these opportunities once you step out of the classroom and into the streets since you will be living the language.

For beginners, going about doing everyday chores like ordering at a restaurant, getting your take-out coffee, and buying fruits at a verdulería (vegetable/fruit stand) where it is not customary self-served here in Buenos Aires, would already give you lots of real life practice opportunity. For those who feel comfortable enough to carry a more in-depth conversation in Spanish, there are various language exchange events available in the city. One of them, which Vamos Spanish students frequent a lot, is Mundolingo. It is a free event where everyone will sticker their chest with country flags representing the languages you speak including the one you are learning, and using these stickers as indicators to find each other who want to practice your mother tongue and in exchange to help you with your Spanish. This is a great way not only to make new friends (local and international) but also to work on your Spanish speaking skills.

We actually have another suggestion which you could put your Spanish comprehension to test while you are here in Buenos Aires studying Spanish. It might sound a bit daring for some Spanish learners, and it is stand up comedy in Spanish! Generally we wouldn´t recommend typical Argentine stand up shows because they involve a lot of local slangs not to mention the comedians speak at a speed of light. It definitely won’t be a very encouraging experience unless you have already reached a very advanced level and also are familiar with the Argentine colloquial and local culture.

However, we have come across just the right one for you all Spanish learners out there. This particular stand up show in Spanish is done by Kristof Micholt, an European who has lived in Buenos Aires for many years. He speaks at a good speed and uses way less slangs and complicated words. Also, he shares his vast experience and interesting encounters being a foreigner in this city, which Spanish students who are also visiting Buenos Aires would probably find them very relatable and have a good laugh!

You can find his show “Un Belga en Argentina” every Thursday at 10PM at Paseo La Plaza (Corrientes 1660). More info at website: elbelgastandup.com.ar

Here is a taste of the show:

Vamospanish

World Cup 2014 is heating up all around the world, and definitely here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. If you are in the city watching the live broadcast on local TV here, it is pretty hard to understand what the commentators are saying other than ‘goooool!’ and “Pulga Pulga Pulga” (Just in case you don’t know yet, “La Pulga” (The Flea) is the nickname for Messi) since they speak really fast and also probably you are not familiar with football vocabularies in Spanish yet. Well, here we are to help you with a list of some basic common football terms we use in Buenos Aires.

(Note: Since football is such a prominent sport in many Spanish-speaking countries, there are many regional varieties. The list below represents what we commonly use in Buenos Aires; a more general term in brackets, if any.)

World Cup = Copa Mundial
Team = Equipo
National Team = La Selección
Team line up = Alineación
Opposing team/rival = Adversario/Contricante
Football shirt = Camiseta
Football shoe(s) = Botín(es) (Zapatillas)
Football = pelota (balón)
Fans = Hinchas (Aficionados)
Hooligans = Barra bravas

Game = Partido/Encuentro
Friendly game = Partido amistoso
Season = Temporada
League = Liga
First/Second Period = Primer/Segundo tiempo
Half Time = entretiempo (descanso/medio tiempo)
Extra Time = Descuento (Tiempo Extra/Tiempo Suplementario)
to Win/to Defeat = Ganar/Vencer
to Lose = perder
Winners = Ganadores
a Beating (a big win) = Paliza
Defeat = Derrota
Draw = Empate
Qualifying round = Eliminatoria
Semifinal = Semifinal
Final/Championship = Final / campeonato
Finalist = Finalista
First runner up = Subcampeón
Champion = Campeón – Vencedor del torneo del que se esté hablando.
Scoreboard = Marcador
Rules = Reglamento/Normas/Reglas

Stadium = Estadio
Football field/pitch = La cancha (el campo de juego)
Dressing room = Vestuario
Sideline = Línea de banda lateral o simplemente Línea
Goal line = Línea de fondo/gol o simplemente Línea
Player box = Palco
Goal = Arco (Portería/Meta)
Goalpost = Palo (Poste)
Crossbar = Travesaño (Larguero/Barra horizontal)
Referee = Árbritro
Linesman/asistant referee = Auxiliar/Juez de línea/Asistente
Coach = Entrenador/Director Técnico (DT)
Training = Entrenamiento
Tactics/Strategy = Táctica
Technique = Técnica
Captain = Capitán
Goalkeeper = Arquero (Portero/Guardameta)
Forward = Delantero
Midfielder = Mediocampista
Defense = Defensor

Fair play = Fair play (Juego limpio)
Foul play = Juego sucio
Assist = Asistencia
Score/Goal! = Gol! or usually it’s more like Gooooooooooool!
Great goal = Golazo
Invalid goal = Gol anulado
Own goal = Gol en contra (Propia meta)
Foul = Falta (Infracción)
Handball = La mano
Offside = Offside (Fuera de juego/Posición adelantada)
Yellow card = Tarjeta amarilla
Red card = Tarjeta roja
Penalty = Penal
Corner Kick = Corner (Saque de esquina)
Throw In = Saque de banda/Saque Lateral
Goal Kick = Saque de arco
Out of bound (sideline) = Fuera de banda/Línea
Out of play = Fuera de juego
Free kick = Tiro libre directo/indirecto
Change of players = Cambio/Variante

a Pass = un Pase/Toque
a Shot = un Tiro (Disparo/Chutazo)
a Move = una Jugada
Header = Cabezazo
Flop = Tirarse al piso
Counter attack = Contraataque/Contragolpe
Defense = Defensa
Offense = Delantera
to Dodge = Gambetear (Regatear)
to Expel = Expulsar
to Hit the ball with the head = Cabecear
to Mark (a player) = marcar
to Score = Meter un gol (Anotar/Marcar)
to Kick = Golpear/Patear
to Shoot = Tirar/Disparar
the “Wall” = Barrera
Crossed-kick = Rabona

Olé, Olé, Olé!

Vamos
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Catching a football game, whether is Boca Junior, River or even a minor league team, is no doubt a must-do while visiting Buenos Aires. Football to the Argentines is almost like a religion, taking up pretty much all the spotlights in the local sports news. However, there is another sport also garners a lot of audience and participants in Argentina and that is tennis.

As Argentine pro-tennis players made their ways into the top spots in the international tennis world, like Guillermo Vila in the 1970’s and Gabriela Sabatini in the late 80’s/early 90’s, everyone at home was paying attention. In recent years, the passion for tennis has seen a special boost especially when Guillermo Cañas made headlines worldwide by defeating Federer twice in 2007 which was during a time when Federer was almost unbeatable (except by Rafael Nadal), and then in 2009 when Juan Martín del Potro, nicknamed La Torre de Tandil (The Tower from Tandil, the city where he is from) for his height, won the US Open champion title by having defeated Nadal in the semi and Federer in the final. Since then, we have been cheering on La Torre on newspapers and TV news whenever he played. Unfortunately due to a recurring and troubling wrist problem, he is currently out of the circuit and is recovering from his second surgery.

Many different tennis tournaments, ATP games and special events take place in Buenos Aires yearly. Like this week, we are having the ATP Argentina Open. Rafael Nadal and many top players like Tommy Robredo, Fabio Fognini, Argentine Leonardo Mayer and Pablo Cuevas are participating. At published time, it looks like Nadal is well on his way heading to the final round. If you are in town, get your tickets here now while they are still available. The Argentina Open takes place at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club from Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2015.

Then in 2 weeks from March 6-8, we will be hosting the All-South America world group first round of Davis Cup. We will be playing against Brazil – not only our rivalry on the football field! The Argentina team fares pretty well generally at the world cup of tennis. We are currently at No. 5 in the Davis Cup Nations Ranking out of 133 participating countries. Get your ticket and event information here, and let’s cheer for Argentina on the tennis courts!

Vamospanish

Buenos Aires is a city full of venues to experience some amazing live music.  Whatever you may be in the mood for, there is most likely a spot that caters to that specific genre.  If you want to have a very unique Monday night music experience, then you should definitely check out La Bomba de Tiempo.  Comprised purely of percussion, this group of 17 drummers knows how to put on a great show.

The “Time Bomb”, as it is translated, started in 2006 and is a collaboration of the best percussionists from Buenos Aires and surrounding areas.  As a group they attempt to portray the city through improvisation and powerful rhythmic music.  Although they are a unified group, the differences between their styles and sounds is palatable.  Rather than diminish the music, the different sounds and drumming styles add character and embody the multicultural and eclectic nature that comprises Buenos Aires.  During the show the founder of the group orchestrates the entire ensemble through a series of intricate hand gestures.  With these hand gestures he formats the music and band to correspond to the energy in the crowd.  Similarly, the crowd is a large vibrating mixture of extranjeros (foreigners), locals, and everyone in-between.  The form of communication is body movement, and everybody is free to express themselves in any manner they desire.

La Bomba de Tiempo is performed in a warehouse-like building that opens up to a large outside courtyard area equipped with a large metallic bug and colorful graffiti.  The show is very popular and is guaranteed to be packed inside — standing-room only.  Even though the dance floor is full and it looks like mayhem, the atmosphere is very jovial and amicable.  There is plenty of available space around the outsides of the mob if you need to cool down or your moves require a little more space to be appreciated.

Once the show comes to an end, which it does promptly at 10:00 pm, there is a large succession of showgoers and some of the performers in the street outside where the party continues for a little while longer.  If you’re still inclined to keep the beat going, there is usually an after-party at a bar or club where some of the musicians continue to boom away into the early morning.

The Details
The Place: Ciudad Cultural Konex, Sarmiento 3131, Abasto, Buenos Aires
The Time:  Opening band comes on at 7:00 pm, La Bomba del Tiempo comes on at 8:00 pm*
*It can get busy fast, and the line can get very long.  It is recommended to get there at 7 even though it should not sell out.
Price: Affordable
Phone: (+54 11) 4864 3200
Website: www.ciudadculturalkonex.org

Alex
Vamospanish

Half the fun of moving to a city abroad is learning about all the quirks and idiosyncrasies that comprise a place. Almost every major city has an international reputation that is validated by people who have never been but have heard about it, or people that have been for a short amount of time and saw everything that they needed to see (i.e. all the tourist attractions).  This mentality is best summed up by the expression “been there, done that”.  I’m not implying that this is an altogether bad mindset since we can’t expect to become familiar and see even a fraction of everything that all the big cities have to offer; however, it can definitely blind us from all the amazing things that a place hides in plain sight.  I’m guilty of judging a city by its superficial characteristics; almost every city in Europe intrigued me but I didn’t have the time or resources to really comprehend what made that city unique aside from its attractions. What shocked me about Buenos Aires was that I was immediately convinced of the uniqueness and personality that it possesses.

It is generally difficult to discern what makes a city unique with a first impression since we learn by relating unfamiliar things to familiar things. This occurs when we go to a new place and we try and interpret it by comparing it to places that we already know. For instance, when I go to a new city I try to make sense of it by associating certain characteristics from other places I have already been to my new environment. Buenos Aires is no different and many people refer to it as the Paris of South America. At first some of the streets, cafes, and restaurants were reminiscent of Paris and I agreed with the comparison. But as I slowly became more familiar with the city and how large and diverse it is, I realized that this was an unfair comparison.

Buenos Aires is its own entity. It is not an offshoot of an European city, but the amalgamation of influences from so many cultures and people that it eventually engendered its own character.  That is not to say that certain influences don’t still exist within the city – there are many – but all of the foreign aspects have become influenced themselves by the ineffable psyche of Buenos Aires.

It is impossible to define what makes Buenos Aires as a whole so unique and gives it its personality, but many individual characteristics are noticeable.  When certain trends develop they seem to propagate rapidly through the culture – like popular fashion movements that periodically sweep through the city and don’t seem to exist anywhere else in the world (right now a common trend among the ladies is to wear these high platform shoes that have elevated the average women by about three to four inches). Similarly, the city breeds idioms that are unique to this region and will add some personality to your Spanish if you learn it here. Tango originated here in the 1980s and continues to flourish, and not just as a tourist attraction. There is the highest concentration of theaters in Buenos Aires than in any other city in the world. Fútbol is definitely not just a game but a passion. Meals are followed up with sobremesas, long discussions about anything that can persist well into the morning.  Porteños, the people from Buenos Aires, confident and well dressed, stride around the city. The list goes on, and changes daily. All of these things are amazing within themselves, but the product of their combination is what results in the powerfully enticing appeal of Buenos Aires.

Alex
vamospanish

As La Feria Internacional del Libro de Buenos Aires, one of the biggest book fairs in Latin America, is coming to a close this weekend and to keep the literary mood going, let’s take a look into the life of one of our most famous Argentine writers – Jorge Luis Borges:

Jorge Luis Borges was the most influential Spanish-language writer and thinker of the 20th century.  He actively shaped Latin-American literature through his short-stories, poems, and translations.  Even though Borges spent many years of his life abroad, he was nevertheless deeply involved in the cultural and political dynamics that were shaping Argentina during his life.  Simultaneously, he redefined a generation of thinkers, populated ideas that would challenge political ideologies around the world, and championed a new style of literature.

Borges was born in the Palermo district in 1899 when it was a less developed suburb outside of the affluent city center of Buenos Aires.  He was raised in an educated family and his father had amassed a large collection of literature in both Spanish and English.  Borges began reading works by H.G. Wells, Shakespeare, Cervantes and other famous writers before he was ten.  At the age of 9, he read and then translated Oscar Wilde’s story “The Happy Prince” from Spanish to English; this translation was later published in a local newspaper.  Later on in Borges’ life he reflected that “if [he] were asked to name the chief event in [his] life, [he would] say [his] father’s library”.  Thus, his precocious childhood laid the foundation that would inspire him to become the prominent literary figure he is regarded as today.

Proceeding his childhood in Buenos Aires, Borges continued to develop his writing abilities abroad.  In 1914, his family left Argentina and moved to Switzerland.  There he attended school and eventually received a degree from the Collège de Genève and learned French and German. After he got his degree, Borges and his family moved frequently, mostly through Spain.  While traveling, Borges was exposed to various avant-garde writing movements where he and his contemporaries would challenge pre-existing styles and attempt to develop new and liberating forms of literature.  As a result of his exploration with various unconventional writing movements, Borges became an advocate of free-verse, imaginative style and content, and experimental modernist prose which was known as the Ultralist movement.

Borges finally returned to Buenos Aires in 1921 and he brought with him the Ultralists mentality.  Back home he rediscovered the city and began to comprise a series of poems celebrating Buenos Aires in the avant-garde style he engendered in Spain. He continued to write poems and articles for journals during the next nine years.  However, Borges was forced to change his style after a series of dramatic events – including the death of his father and a severe head injury he suffered and subsequent blood poisoning – nearly killed him in 1938.  This dramatic moment in his life is regarded as the impetus that would unlock his creative potential and lead to the philosophical and fantastical themes quintessential to Borgesian literature.

More on “The Life and Legacy of An Argentine Literary Giant – Jorge Luis Borges – Part Two” next week.

Alex