A British experience in Argentina

After finishing university in England earlier this year, I knew I wanted to do something a bit more challenging than following the usual route of finding a job in London. Above all, I wanted to put myself out of my comfort zone and explore a new country.  I have always wanted to learn another language and after being told numerous times that the best possible way to learn a language is by immersing yourself in the culture and actually going to the country. The next thing I knew I was booking my flight to Argentina.

Having never studied Spanish before and not being able to speak one word, I knew from the beginning that this was not going to be a walk in the park. The most common response I got when telling friends and family what I had decided to do (moving to a new city for a year without being able to speak the language), was how exciting it sounded but also how scary. Nervous and excited are the two words I feel best described my thoughts on coming to Buenos Aires.  So far, after a month of having been here now, I can confirm that both these feelings are still very much present (excitement more so than nerves). Even though I could have learnt Spanish in Spain, a country much nearer to home, it was the endless praise that I had heard about Buenos Aires regarding its amazing food, restaurants, bars, café culture, nightlife and parks, just to name a few, that made my decision a pretty easy one. And I can most definitely say I have not been disappointed so far!

I arrived on a Saturday morning at the beginning of September, which is the start of Spring in Argentina. Although it hasn’t been as warm as I thought so far, I have been assured that the heat is on its way (I can´t wait). I was nervous and exhausted but so excited to be somewhere I had never been before. It didn’t take long for the language barrier to be a problem however; I have found myself and the taxi driver not being able to communicate a single word. My first experiences in any shops were more of a game consisting of me pointing at what I wanted to buy and unable to actually say what I wanted. It was then that I knew the best thing to do was to actually sit down and learn Spanish if I was going to get anywhere on my adventure!

Also: Learn more about Vamos Spanish Spanish School in Buenos Aires

As an university graduate not being able to communicate with other adults is definitely a unique experience for me; going back to the very basics when you learn as a child, pointing and using your hands to express how you feel! Something seemingly as simple as asking for directions becomes hugely difficult. I am sure anyone who has visited a new country without speaking the language can relate to these feelings. While it can be extremely frustrating at times, there is nothing more rewarding than when you begin to understand what someone is saying to you. Whether it be as simple as being able to reply when someone asks “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?), to recognising words in shops and restaurants, it was such a satisfying feeling. Also, I am sure many people who choose to go to a language school also share the same view that the idea of going “back to school” is initially quite daunting. However, you soon realize that for the very first time (for me, anyway), you are in lessons because you actually want to be there. And you truly want to learn. I can honestly say I have never felt such a desire to learn and understand something that right now seems so alien to me.

As geography has never been my forte, Buenos Aires’ grid system has made finding my way around that bit easier. Don’t get me wrong, I was constantly feeling lost when I first arrived but once you get to grips with the blocks, as we called them ‘cuadras’ here, it’s actually very straightforward. As I am starting to adjust to living in a new city, I also often find myself in situations that I did not plan to get into, again probably due to the language barrier I am constantly faced with. Just last week whilst exploring the city, I briefly popped my head into a museum just to have a quick browse but before I knew it I was suddenly on a private guided tour with a tour guide and a translator (who couldn’t really speak English) so my five minute detour turned into an hour and a half history lesson on Argentina. I definitely had not intended for this to be the outcome but was very appreciative of how friendly they were. This is one of the aspects that I have loved about my visit so far, every day offers something new and different, there are never two days the same.

Not long after this experience my Spanish (or lack of) failed me a second time when I thought I was ordering a mere slice of, as the waitress put it in English for me, “a cake sent to earth from God”, only to find that I had in fact agreed to buy much more than that – a whole 5lb cake full of dulce de leche, chocolate, cream, oreo cookies and merengue! Thankfully, I am living with 6 other people in a shared house so I knew if I took it home it would not last long at all, and I was sure the others would be extremely grateful of this decadent treat.

It’s been one extremely quick month since my arrival. I am just getting started to appreciate Buenos Aires city for its true beauty and the many incredible experiences it has to offer. I cannot wait to continue discovering its hidden gems over the next year and really pick up the Argentine Spanish language along the way.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and  would like to ask you if you could share it on your social media below. Thank you!

Larna

The post From London to Argentina: My First Month in Buenos Aires appeared first on Vamos Spanish School in Buenos Aires.

10 Reasons to Choose Vamos Spanish Academy

1. Academic Excellence. You will have the same teacher for your Spanish Classes. This is a very important factor for a better learning experience.
2. Dedicated Academic Director. She will evaluate your written and oral level tests in order to place you at the right class according to your level. She will also supervise your progress frequently and ensure satisfaction in your overall learning experience.
3. Max. 6 Students per Classroom and an average of 3-5. This guarantees an optimum learning process.
4. We are recognized and authorized by the City of Buenos Aires to operate as a Language School in Argentina. Our permit is proudly posted on our main entrance door area.
5. Comfortable facilities. Our School is a 19th Century Historical Building with large classrooms, tall ceilings and comfortable chairs and tables. We also have free 50Mb/s WiFi and a fantastic common area equipped with computers, games, books, and always free coffee and tea. Very important in Argentina: Air Conditioning and heater in every classroom.
6. Location. Vamos Spanish is in the safe and prestigious area of Alto Palermo. We are in walking distance from top-notch shopping malls, restaurants, bars, museums and hotels.
7. Weekly social and cultural activities. We regularly organize a variety of local events, such as: Bomba del tiempo Live Music Show, Malba Museum, Happy Hours, Language exchange function, long weekend getaways to Iguazu falls, Mendoza, Bariloche and much more.
8. Weekly Free Workshops. Learn all about Yerba Mate, How to navigate the city, Lunfardo (Slangs) and much more. We also play Argentine movies once a week.
9. Certificate of Excellence award by TripAdvisor 
10. We accept Visa and Mastercard for no extra fees. We also accept USD, Euro and AR$.

For more information about our Spanish School Buenos Aires visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Buenos Aires, Argentina info@vamospanish.com +54-11-5984-2201 USA/Can +1-888-808-1242

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Yerba Mate Bars in Buenos Aires Argentina

Many foreigners to Buenos Aires may find themselves wanting to try yerba mate (the hot beverage which the Argentines drink daily), but are hesitant to invest in all of the necessary supplies in order to make it. The solution? Mate bars. Now as a (silly) foreigner myself, upon hearing this term I thought of a small café that specialized in nothing but yerba mate. I envisioned a place with comfortable, communal areas to sit and laugh, rather than traditional tables and chairs like in a restaurant or café.

Well, reader, let me tell you that I was wrong. And I got a good laugh out of my Argentine friends upon describing my vision of a mate bar. But what this term really refers to is a restaurant or café that serves mate as part of the menu, and it’s often ordered by friends getting together after work or on the weekends for a snack and, of course, some mate. While mate bars can actually be found all over the city (if you know where to look…), you may have noticed that normal restaurants don’t offer mate as part of the menu. This is because yerba mate is a social experience as much as it is a beverage – so people will get together and have mate pretty much everywhere in the city (at school, at work, at home, in the parks, and even in the streets), but they won’t have it with a meal at a restaurant.

So when you find a mate bar, here’s what you can expect: you’ll be given either a kettle or thermos full of hot water, some yerba, a mate cup, and a bombilla (a special straw for drinking mate). This is often served with some bread, toast, or pastries along with some jam, dulce de leche, or butter. Like I said, this is meant to be a snack.

Here are some suggested restaurants and mate bars where you can sample some mate (and these are pretty good places for dinner as well):

Las Cabras (Fitz Roy 1795, Palermo)

Las Cholas (Arce 306, Las Cañitas) – they have outdoor tables where you can sit and enjoy your mate

La Cholita (Rodriguez Peña 1165, Recoleta) (this is the same owner and menu as Las Cholas, just a different location and no outdoor tables)

Cumaná (Rodriguez Peña 1163, Recoleta)

El Federal (San Martín 1015, Microcentro)

La Pulpería (Uriarte 1667, Palermo)

Raices – Cocina Casera con Historia (Crisólogo Larralde 3995, Nuñez)

And in more recent years, some of the mate companies have begun to work together with local cafés and bars, so it’s a lot easier to find a place to try some:

Amanda Mate Bar – This is a mate service offered in a variety of bars in and around Buenos Aires by the yerba mate company, Amanda. Here’s a list in Buenos Aires, some of these places have multiple locations as well:

– La Payuca (Av. Santa Fe 2587, Recoleta; Arenales 3443, Palermo)

– Bart Tango (Marcelo T. de Alvear 1326, Retiro)

– Punta Cuore (Av. Córdoba 1893, Recoleta; Av. Belgrano 1700, Monserrat)

– La Máquina de jugar (Sanchez de Bustamante 1649, Recoleta)

– República de Acá (Alvarez Thomas 601, Colegiales)

Zona Taragüi – There are too many to list, but this is another mate service offered by the yerba mate company, Taragüi. Check out their facebook page to see a map of their locations.

Last but not least: mate is meant to be a social drink, something to share, so don’t forget to bring your friends!

If you enjoyed reading our blog please don’t forget to share it below. Thank you!

Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires

If you want to join us for our weekly Mate Workshop contact us or visit us in Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Palermo, Argentina. info@vamospanish.com 011-59842201

Kat

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The DON’Ts and DO’s complete guide.
What you need to know now before going to Argentina

Beautiful landscapes with high mountains and the famous La Pampa, a long and massive coastline, big cities like Buenos Aires and a healthy mixture of cultures – these are just a few things that make Argentina a country worth visiting. But, as I personally know , it is always hard to understand and follow the different customs of a foreign country without committing a faux pas. So I decided to give you some helpful tips which will help you to avoid disapproval glances.

DON’Ts

• Do not be offended by Argentines open, direct and loud communication style. That’s just the way some can be.
• Don’t be intimidated when Argentines look you directly in the eye in public places. BTW Argentine men tend to stare at women, is a cultural thing.
• Do not eat on the street or on public transportation.
• Do not drink alcohol in public places (you will see people or group of youngsters do this, but they’ll be seen as uneducated), or on public transportation. (Technically drinking in public areas in the City of Buenos aires is illegal, but police rarely enforce that law.
• Not showing up on time to someone’s house for a party in Argentina is not considered rude. Arriving there 20 to 40 minutes late is usually the normal.
• Argentines often use nicknames that recall physical traits. Don’t be surprised or offended if you have dark features (skin, hair, or eyes, etc.) and people call you ‘negro’ (black). They often use nicknames like ‘gordo/a’ (fat); ‘flaco/a’ (skinny) etc in an endearing manner. Note: they have other serious derogatory words.
• Do not be offended by Argentine sense of humor. It is just the way some are. For example, sometime could make fun of your appearance, weight, or attire. I know it can be hard, but don’t take it literal, they are just kidding.
• Do not head to a bar until 11:30 pm. The nightlife in Buenos Aires is considered to be among the best in the world and crazy as it sounds the bests nightclubs will open their doors after 1AM.
• Do not talk about sensitive topics unless you are well prepared . Things like political relationship with the USA, Brazil or Great Britain, which could cause strong reactions.
• Do not voice your opinion on Argentine politics or religion. Argentines generally don’t take well foreigners opinions on this matters, unless you knowledge of Argentine Social, cultural and economics are excellent.
• No need to tip taxi drivers.
• Never never never compare dulce de leche with caramel, or mate with tea.
• Do not put your feet on the furniture.

DO’s

• Do expect a ONE kiss on the cheek for greeting since is the typical and normal greeting way in Argentina. Even to a total stranger no matter boy or girl. The meeting starts and ends with a kiss and a “chau”.
• Do ask before taking pictures of people, especially children.
• Do dress nice and be presentable because Argentina is a very fashion-conscious country.
• Do expect a late dinner in Argentina. People will usually have dinner at 9pm or 10pm, and even later on weekends.
• Do tip 10% at restaurants.
• Do bring a gift for your dinner/party hosts, such as flowers, candy, pastries, chocolate, or a bottle of wine. When receive a gift, open it right away and show how happy you are.
• Do try yerba mate, which is a national drink and a cultural ritual as well. The mate is passed clockwise and shared as a sign of friendship.
• Do learn to dance the tango or at least watch others dance it. Dress nicely, no jeans, sneakers, or other too casual attire.
• Do carry enough small change. Only A few stores have change for bills over 20, and taxis never have change for anything over a 10.
• Do go to the post office to mail letters or postcards, not the mail box. And do not mail things that are important as the Argentine postal service is not very reliable.
• If you are invited to an asado or parrillada (an Argentine BBQ), you can just sit back and relax if you are a man. The women, even guests, will help out in setting up the table, preparing the salads, snacks, and desserts. The men are in charge of the meat, and everything that goes on the grill.
• Do be patient and respect the queue. Many day-to-day chores are done in person in Argentina, as opposed to online, so you’ll see a lot of people doing lines everywhere, at supermarkets, banks, post offices etc.

Now you are prepared to go to this wonderful country and you can impress all the Argentines by showing how much proper etiquette you know, but even if you fail one or twice, don’t be worried, in fact Argentines are very helpful and relaxed people.

Now the only thing left to learn is Spanish and you are ready to become an Argentine!

Learn more about Argentina and find everything you need for your trip here!

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Australia to Argentina my Travel Abroad Experience

This is my second trip to Buenos Aires and so far I have been here for about 7 weeks.  My first trip to this great city was in December 2014 and to be honest I only got a brief taste of it, but enough of a taste to know I wanted to come back for an extended period so I could explore more than just the top 5 tourist spots.  I don’t know why, but from the moment I arrived on that first trip I was mesmerized.  When I got home,  my friends asked me where I enjoyed the most and without a moment of hesitation my answer was always Buenos Aires.  However, what I struggled with, and indeed, what I still struggle with, is how to articulate why I love this city so much.

So, this trip forms part of my 12 month career break from my job in Australia.  I have spent time in Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia and now Argentina. I’m six months into my career break, and I thought that by now I would be ready to head up into the northern hemisphere to catch a few rays of sun on the beautiful beaches of Italy and to explore Croatia. But here I am, showing no desire to leave Buenos Aires anytime soon.

Why Buenos Aires?

Australians travel to Buenos Aires for a variety of reasons including:

• It is known the world over for its arts and culture, food, wine, vibrant nightlife and its passion for       football. 
• Tickets are more affordable compared to flights to Europe
• There are no visa requirements, but is you are Australian you will need to pay a Reciprocity Fee of USD 100.
• It is relatively inexpensive compared to Europe and the United States. USD $1 = ARG $15
• Argentina is a very safe country compared with the rest of Latin America.
• Read more about what to do and why to come to Argentina

So you’ve decided why you should come to Buenos Aires and booked your tickets, but …

Where will you stay?

You have many options depending of course on your budget.  Like many visitors, I wanted to be close to the action, so I rented an apartment in Palermo Soho for a month through AirBNB bue there are other good local sites and companies where you can find apartments or rooms :

• Palermo Luxury Apartments
• RentBA
• Rent Palermo Buenos Aires
• Buenos Aires Habitat Rentals
• Luxury Apartments Buenos Aires
• BYT Argentina Rentals

Palermo is a massive suburb (barrio) and you will often see it segmented into sub areas such as Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Viejo and Palermo Chico.  Filled with great restaurants, bars, shops and character, Palermo is a great base for exploring the city.  One of the most important aspects for me is safety as I am travelling on my own, and so far I have found Palermo to be incredibly safe.

Check this cool timelaps of the city.

Basic laws of supply and demand tell you that the more people who want to stay in this area, the more expensive it will be.  I set myself a budget of AUD 50 per night and have been able to stay within the budget. Booking an entire apartment through AirBNB is more expensive and if you have decided to stay for a long period or you have firm plans you could go through a real estate agent to rent an apartment significantly cheaper (how to do that will be an upcoming blog).

If you are on a tighter budget, you can still find great accommodation a little further away or look at shared options as a way to meet locals or other travellers.  San Telmo has many hostels, while Villa Crespo, Belgrano and Las Canitas are all great spots.

Here are some affordable Hostels in Palermo near Vamos Spanish School:

• Art Factory Hostel
• Eco Pampa Hostel
• La Morada Hostel
• The Pink House Hostel
• Reina Madre Hostel
• Don King Hostel

But I don’t speak Spanish…

Don’t let that deter you!  I’ve lost count of the number of conversations I,ve had on my travels using nothing more than a few basic words, hand gestures and facial expressions.  Of course, that will only get you so far and I realised pretty quickly that if I wanted to stay and explore this country and have meaningful interactions with locals, a working knowledge of Spanish would help me, so I enrolled at Vamos Spanish Academy located at Av. Cnel. Diaz 1736 Ciudad de Buenos Aires in Palermo. Initially I signed up for 2 weeks of intensive group classes (20 hours per week) but I found I really enjoyed the process of learning the language, as well as the discipline required.  Of course, it was also a great way to meet other students eager to explore the city. Check our class:

I still struggle with my confidence and always worry that I sound like a fool, but I am surprised how much more I am able to interact with locals after five weeks of classes.  Last night I was coming home in a taxi and I struck up a conversation with the driver. No, I didn’t understand everything he said to me, no, my grammar and verb conjugations were not perfect, but did he understand what I was saying? Yes! Previously, I would have sat in silence hoping not to have to speak, but as with anything, the more you practice, the more you improve and so will your confidence.  The locals probably laugh at my accent, but they are kind enough to wait until I walked away.  

If you can, try to understand even just a few words. Duolingo is a great app and it’s free. I found it useful for vocab and verb conjugations.  Check out this blog for a comparison between Duolingo and learning a language in class and using an app.

What to watch out for:

• Remember to pay the Reciprocity Fee before you go to the airport, and make sure to print out the confirmation after you make the payment. Argentine Immigration requires this for Australian tourists.
• Bring USD Cash, there is extra charge to take out money from ATM per transaction. Depending on your bank, you may also have to pay bank fees and deal with limited daily amount for international withdrawal.
• Try not to flash your iphone 6 or any expensive electronics on the streets.
• If you go to La Boca, we highly recommend you to stay within the Caminito street.
• Cash is still king in Argentina so if you are not too used to handling with cash anymore, just pay attention to what you give and were given, and count your change.
• Buenos Aires is a metropolitan city with lots of people and busy streets, use your common sense.

Buenos Aires  is an incredibly beautiful city, with many tourist things to see, however, scratch the surface and there is so much more than just beautiful buildings steak and tango. Come for a few days, or a few months, study Spanish, learn the culture… If my experience is anything to go by, as an Australian in Argentina you will be welcomed with open arms.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and would love if you can share if on your social media. Fore more information you can visit our Spanish School in Argentina or enter https://vamospanish.com

Vamos Spanish Academy info@vamospanish.com +54-11-5984-2201 or +1-888-808-1242

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What is Lollapalooza?

Lollapalooza is a music festival that originates from the United States, it was created in 1991 and has undergone various revivals since then. It first expanded into South America in 2010 when the festival was staged in Santiago, Chile. The following year there was a festival in Brazil and in 2014 Buenos Aires hosted the festival for the first time. There is no camping at Lollapalooza but festival goers commute to and from the city to the festival each of the two days. It is the perfect opportunity to go see some of your favourite artists for those of you that love music but are not such big fans of the camping atmosphere.

Music

Lollapalooza gets a variety of international artists coming over, with music in popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip hop, and EDM bands and artists. This year they have acts such as the Weekend, the Strokes, Cage and the Elephant, Chainsmokers and The XX. There are four stages at the festival: Main Stage 1, Main Stage 2, Alternative Stage and Perry’s stage. The music begins at 12.30pm and the last set finishes at 1am.  The two main stages will be playing music alternatively with each set lasting 2 hours. The alternative stage will have acts throughout the day for one hour and finally, Perry’s stage will have acts playing all day, as well, but for an hour and a half.

Food

Whilst the music is obviously the focus of this festival the organisers have done a seriously good job at making the food scene nearly as tempting as the acts. Anyone going should be ready for a feast and the possibility to try out some of Buenos Aires most recognized chef’s food. At the high end of the scale we have the ‘Campamento de Food trucks’ with chefs from restaurants such as La Mar and Carne de Mauro Colagreco. Then, we have Lollapalooza ‘Food Town,’ where there will be various stands dedicated to burgers, choripans and hot dogs. These staple foods will not be like what you’ve seen before but have been given unique twists, think mouth watering sauces, toppings, specialised breads etc. Now, for those of you looking for something more exotic, there is a ‘Food Cities’ section which will bring you food from Tokyo to London. There really is something for everyone, including the vegans and vegetarians, who would have previously suffered to find grub in this city. The festival has a section, ‘Espiritu Verde,’ which not only brings you vegan friendly food but will promote public messages surrounding sustainability.  

Tickets and where to buy them

Tickets are a little pricey and the cost varies depending on how early you bought your tickets and what type of ticket you bought. For those of you that want to splash out and don’t fancy slumming it there are VIP tickets that start at $3000 ARS going up too $4990 ARS. For the rest of us single day tickets begin at $990 ARS and the last release of double day tickets are priced at $2750 ARS.  Tickets can be bought online or from ticketek stores.

What to do before

So, Lollapalooza have introduced a cashless system. You can top up your ticket wristbands with money before you go. This means that once you are in you simply use your ticket as a token for food and drink. Thus, making everything much quicker and hassle free. Whilst there are places to top up your bands at the festival you may as well do it before you go because otherwise you face long queues or being pickpocketed of your cash. So, get on it and sort out your money before. Also, don’t worry, no one is going to steal the leftover cash. You have 10 days to refund yourself after the festival!  

How to get there

The hippodrome stadium is outside of the city centre towards Tigre at the Hipódrome de San Isidro. I would highly recommend sorting out your transport before to make sure that you have a smooth journey too and from the festival. The train from retiro station is the cheapest option but, be warned, sort out some form of transport back because trains stop running late at night. Taxi’s, for those of you that have more money to spare, will take you there and back but are likely to be much more expensive. It may also be a bit more of a challenge trying to find one to take you home. Bus is definitely the easiest option as you can book a seat there and back and they run throughout the night. Its also worth having a look to see if you can find any pre organised party buses, for example Chicken bros Party Bus to Lollapalooza, organises the bus to take you there and back all for $200 pesos. Or, if there is a big group of you, it is possible to organise your own transport to take you and your friends there and back.

Words of warning / what to expect

Most festivals, as i’m sure you know, end up in the majority of people running around drunkardly dancing after a whole day of continuous drinking. Well, not Lollapalooza. This may come as a shock to many of you who are more accustomed to a different style of festival, but unless you’re in VIP you will be having a t-total experience at this festival. Due to the law here in Argentina, that makes it illegal for you to drink in arenas, alcohol sales are prohibited inside. The old filling up your water bottle with vodka trick won’t work either as no food or drinks, alcoholic or not, are allowed to be brought in with you. So, have a few bevvies before and don’t waste any of your pesos trying to bring in any drinks or food, they will just be taken off you!

So, this Friday I’m off to see what this festival has to offer and how it compares to others ones I’ve previously been too. Next week I will update you with my experience… wish me luck!

For more information contact our Spanish School in Buenos Aires or Visit Vamos Spanish Academy in Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Buenos Aires City

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“No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.” A very famous Spanish phrase which translates to “Don’t wait for tomorrow to do something you can do today.” And we are here to prove you why you shouldn’t wait any longer to choose this Latin American country for your next travel getaway. Lying in the lowest point of the South American continent, this fairy large country has more to offer to the world than just footballers like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. If it wasn’t for its neighbors, Chile, the country would look like a reigning peninsula sandwiched between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific oceans. Separated by a whopping distance of approximately 12,000 kms from Australia, we bring to you some of the top reasons why you should fill Argentina inside your travel bucket list:

• The El Ateneo Grand Splendid.

Starting with a rather strange destination, The El Ateneo Grand Splendid is considered as one of the most astounding bookshops in the world. And if you are a bookworm, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be heading to this place before anywhere else. Located at the Santa Fe avenue in the capital city of Buenos Aires, was first designed as a theatre with a seating capacity of approximately 1000 people in the early 20th century but was later renovated and converted into a bookshop by the start of the 21st century by Grupo Ilhsa. The architecture and other structural details still replicate the old era of this place and the atmosphere it creates for its visitors is beyond comparison. The place is filled with chairs for book readers to indulge in their favorite book before making the purchase.

• The Cerro de Siete Colores

Known as The Hill of Seven Colors in English, this spell bounding location is situated in the Jujuy province and borders the Quebrada de Purmamarca region and is also known as The Hill of Seven Skirts by the local population. The distinct color of the hills is attributed to a series of geological events including marine sediments and the movement of water bodies around it due to shifting tectonic plates. And in case you plan to visit this place, then the best time to adore it is during the first 45 minutes after dawn. That is the time when the hill stands out in its hueing glory. You can even complete your dream of international camping at this place as OZCodes provides you with amazing discounts on camping hammocks!

• The soaring Aconcagua

And just in case you thought we wouldn’t discuss The Andes! We present to you the highest mountain outside Asia, the Aconcagua. Located in the Mendoza province in the city of Mendoza, the Aconcagua Mountain is a part of The Seven Summits. It stands astoundingly tall at about 7,000 kms (6,961 kms to be exact) and can be easily seen even from Chile! And that is because it is located only around 15 kms away from its border. This humongous mountain is littered with glaciers and Ventisquero Horcones Inferior is the longest of them all which runs for around 10 kms in total.

PS: Is it just us who had a hard time pronouncing Aconcagua?

• Iguazu Falls

From lengthy glaciers to deep water falls, this country has it all. Such is the beauty of these falls that when Eleanor Roosevelt saw the Iguazu Falls, she exclaimed: “Poor Niagara, Poor Niagara!” Located in the Misiones province bordering Brazil in the north, the Iguazu Falls are an outlet of the river Iguazu and are the largest waterfall systems in the world! Yes, you read that right. The large number of falls are formed due to the presence numerous islands along the line of the Parana Plateau. And in case you have heard of the Devil’s Throat water fall, then think no further, it is the highest water fall within the Iguazu falls.

• La Casa Rosada

This architectural beauty is the office of the President of Argentina and the executive house. The term Casa Rosada means Pink House in Spanish and quite literally looks like one. The beautiful design of this building and its bright baby pink color has helped it to reach the list of National Historic Monuments of Argentina. La Casa Rosada consists of a museum which contains articles and souvenirs of former presidents of this country.

• The city of Ushuaia

Capital of Tierra del Fuego and located in the Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province (the names keep getting difficult), is geographically one of the most southern cities in the world. Fenced by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia is located along the Beagle Channel in the Bay of Ushuaia. It is one of the major tourist attractions in southern Argentina and is the starting point of several cruises.

• Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

The Los Glaciares National Park is the largest national park in this already huge country and covers an area of more than 7,000 square kms! It was formed in 1937 and was soon declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park owes its name to the numerous glaciers that are a part of it thanks to the presence of gigantic ice caps on The Andes mountain range. The park consists of two lakes, the Lake Argentino and the Lake Viedma, which divides the park into two distinct areas and flow as a feeder to the Santa Cruz River which ultimately opens into the Atlantic. The northern area of this national park contains mountains that are popular among mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts.

• El Chalten

Ask any Argentinian and he/she would have called this list incomplete without El Chalten. Located in the Santa Cruz province is a mountainous village called El Chalten. Known for its numerous trekking spots, this village is known as the trekking capital of Argentina and is perhaps one of the most breath-taking places in the world! This place gets its name (which means smoking mountains) from the locals who believed that this place was once a volcano.

Conclusion

According to Soon.News Argentinian’s are considered as the friendliest and kindest people on earth. The local population is ever so helpful that there is absolutely no chance for you to get lost or feel unsafe in this part of the world. So what’s stopping you from packing your bags and booking the very next flight to Argentina?! Learn Spanish, enjoy new food, discover the culture.  

The post Top 8 Reasons to Choose Argentina as Your Next Vacation Destination appeared first on Vamos Spanish School Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires Argentina.

Practicing Spanish in Buenos Aires Argentina

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:

If you want more information about our Spanish School Buenos Aires visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736 Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires Agentina or enter https://vamospanish.com – Vamos Spanish Academy

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The Woods of Buenos Aires

One of the biggest upsides about life in  Buenos Aires is that it is home to a host of beautiful parks, picturesque plazas and lovely green open spaces. In an urban city so dense and fast paced, it is nice to know there are plenty of options to find a temporary reprieve from all the hustle and bustle, whenever the need may arise.

Now that spring has well and truly arrived here in Argentina’s capital, you might feel the urge to get back in touch with nature. A trip to Tigre is the usual remedy, but a well known hotspot a little closer to home, incredibly popular with Porteños and extranjeros alike, is Bosques de Palermo, officially known as Parque Tres de Febrero.

Located between Libertador and Figueroa Alcorta Avenues, Bosques de Palermo is an urban haven, known for its groves, lakes, and rose gardens. Covering approximately 400 hectares (almost 1000 acres) the area also incorporates attractions such as the Buenos Aires zoo, the city planetarium, the velodrome, and the world-renowned Japanese gardens.

There are plenty of unique outdoor activities available for you to make the most of these lovely spaces. Renting roller skates or small pedal carts is great fun, breezing through the crowds on the routes which follow the lakeside. You can even take a paddle boat out for a leisurely row on the waters. A 1.6km running track provides an excellent circuit to get in some exercise, if you feel this is necessary to burn off some of those wine calories! If you feel like taking it a little slower however, simply relaxing on the grass for a merienda with friends is perfectly acceptable too!

The beautiful Rosedal is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. It has many stone and bronze busts of renowned poets, including Jorge Luis Borges, Luigi Pirandello and William Shakespeare.

As a brief history, the land on which Bosques de Palermo now occupies was once owned by a strongman named Juan Manuel de Rosas. He was overthrown in 1852 and his extensive northside properties in Buenos Aires then became public property. In 1874, president Domingo Sarmiento ordered work to begin on Parque Tres de Febrero, which was named in honor of the date when the Governor Rosas was defeated, whose opponent had been Sarmiento.

Buenos Aires enjoyed great economic success in the years that followed. French Landscape Architect Carlos Thays was commissioned to further beautify the parks during the height of this period of wealth, between 1892 and 1912. Thays designed the Zoological Gardens, the Botanical Gardens, the adjoining Plaza Italia and the Rose Gardens. He was also responsible for the planting of the iconic purple Jacaranda trees, which are adored throughout the capital to this day.

¿Cómo llego?

Dirección: Av. Libertador y Av. Sarmiento.

Colectivos: 12, 15, 29, 36, 37, 39, 41, 55, 57, 59, 60, 64, 67, 68, 93, 95, 102, 108, 111, 118, 124, 128, 130, 152, 160, 161, 166, 188 (From Plaza de Mayo and Plaza San Martín take the line 130).

Subte Línea D: Estación Plaza Italia.

1 Jardín Botánico.

2 Zoológico de Buenos Aires.

3 Sociedade Rural Argentina (SRA).

4 Monumento de los Españoles.

5 Plaza Alemania.

6 Jardin Japonés.

7 Columna persa.

8 Parque Tres de Febrero.

9 Planetario Galileo Galilei.

10 Lagos.

11 Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo.

12 Rosedal.

So next time after class when the weather is simply too good to be inside, why not make a visit to Bosques to Palermo? There is something to do for everybody and you surely will not be disappointed. If you have already been, let us know what is your highlight in the discussion below! For more information about our Spanish School Argentina visit us in Av. Coronel Diaz 1736

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One of the best ways to learn languages is to go out and speak them. When you immerse yourself in the foreign language, you not only learn quicker but you also learn about the cultural references and nuances. Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires is a wonderful experience. But you don’t just have to stay in the capital city – Argentina offers plenty of places to see and activities you can do.

Here are the six best things to see and do in Argentina in 2017:

1. Garganta del Diablo

Argentina is full of stunning views and it’s these amazing sites you should visit in 2017. One of the most impressive landscapes to explore is the Garganta del Diablo, which essentially means the Devil’s Throat. This gigantic waterfall is created as the upper Iguazu River meets the subtropical forest, creating a waterfall of around 150 meters long. You can hear the water roar with massive power while being greeted with the breathtaking humidity of the air. Garganta del Diablo is located in the Iguazu Falls National Park.

Garganta del Diablo

2. Perito Moreno Glacier

Argentina’s landscapes also offer you a stunning view of glaciers. Perito Moreno Glacier is an impressive site to visit – you get to walk on the ice wearing cleats and witness huge blocks of ice rupturing away from the glacier. It is a fantastic reminder of the fragility of our planet as well as an example of the power nature has. The glacier is located in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and you can book guided tours or just a day trip to explore the sites from Buenos Aires. You’ll definitely learn to appreciate our planet after seeing this wonderful landscape.

Glaciar Perito Moreno

3. Laguna Esmeralda

If you are into some serious hiking, then you should pack your hiking gear and head towards Laguna Esmeralda. You can reach the lake within a few hours from Ushuaia – you will be given a map of the area with marked routes to visit the lake and the nearby glacier. There are plenty of amazing things to explore in the surrounding areas from gigantic tree trunks to wildlife. The river and lake itself are stunning views with a deep emerald color that’s caused by the glacier rock’s movements leaving sediments behind.

4. Catedral Metropolitana

Argentina is deeply religious country and there are plenty of beautiful cathedrals to explore all across the country. One of the most impressive in terms of size and the architecture is the Catedral Metropolitana. The cathedral was built in 1827 and it houses the remains of Argentine Liberator General Jose de San Martin in the mausoleum. While the outside makes the building look more like a bank than a religious building, the inside of the building is full of stunning artwork and a somber atmosphere. The Catedral Metropolitana is located in Montserrat in Buenos Aires.

5. Palermo Soho

If you like to explore the history of Buenos Aires, you should take a walk in Palermo Soho. The neighborhood is full of things to do and tasty treats to explore. You can also book guided tours and experiences in Palermo Soho. Our favorite is the Secret Steak Dinner because it allows you to indulge in a five-course meal. If you’d like something more active, hop on a bike and take the Parks and Plazas Bike Tour. You don’t, of course, have to do anything other than take a map with you and walk along the beautiful city streets – you’ll find plenty of places to visit and things to see even without a guide.

6. Palacio Barolo

Palacio Barolo is a magnificent architectural wonder to explore. The building pays tribute to Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy and it shows in the unique style of the building. It’s a mixture of Hindu design, Romanesque and neo-Gothic architecture. The Palacio is located in the historic quarter of Montserrat in Buenos Aires – perfect for a little stroll and perhaps some local delicacies at Los 36 Billares restaurant. The Palacio is close to the Catedral Metropolitana so you could combine these two sites and have a historical tour of this beautiful neighborhood.

As you can see, Argentina offers plenty of things to see and do in 2017. You definitely want to explore the above because they give you a chance to explore the history, culture and nature of the country while providing you with an opportunity to speak the language.

If you are into travelling and exploring the world, don’t forget to visit Savvy Expeditioner. The blog has plenty of tips on the best travel experiences around the world – including in other Latin American countries.

So, get your travel boots and go out to explore Argentina, – and the rest of the world! 

For more information about Vamos Spanish Academy and our clases de ingles enter https://vamospanish.com or visit us in Av. Coronel Diaz 1736 in Palermo

The post 6 Best Things to See and Do in Argentina in 2017 appeared first on Vamos Spanish School Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires Argentina.

If you’re in Buenos Aires and looking for free cultural events which appeal to locals and visitors alike, look no further than into the Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK).

This week I took a chance and went along to one of their free jazz performances, and it was an inspiring experience which I would recommend to anybody in the city. The space is wheelchair accessible and runs lots of free events every day of the week. My experience there was one that I won’t forget in a hurry, and I learned a few things that I will share with you.

Jazz has usually tended to intimidate me. It has always seemed to me to be the domain of serious (mostly) men with tastes which are sometimes inexplicable to me. I admit that I can’t always tell the difference between good jazz and lift music.

So when I hurried into the CCK (horrifyingly a full 15 minutes late!) to listen to a free lunchtime jazz concert, I was pretty nervous.

I needn’t have worried. Whilst the CCK building is imposing, the staff are friendly and helpful. They even tolerated my terrible tourist-level Spanish as I asked for tickets.

Learning point 1:

Tickets to most events at CCK are free, and freely available right up to the last moment there.

My friends and I were quickly shown upstairs, and we soon found ourselves in the Salon de Honor, where we were met with an atmosphere of warmth. The building is imposing and beautiful, and this room was no exception: ornate and wood panelled. It’s lit by large elegant windows, with views of the ‘pink house’, and by clusters of orange gold lightbulbs above. But it was the music, and the people listening to this music which really swept away my fears about listening to jazz.

The room was about half filled with people, and the rest of the space was entirely full of the music. The performance attracted a diverse crowd: couples with teenage daughters, pony-tailed hippies with healthy snacks, top knotted hipsters in tartan. People arrived and left discretely and stood up to film the performance, or just to get a better view. The men in front of me hugged one another warmly when they met up. This was not the stuffy atmosphere I had expected. The people I expect to listen to jazz – older men who nod appreciatively and knowingly with their eyes closed (so that you never know if they’re napping!) – were in the minority.

At one quieter moment an older man, who looked like these typical jazz experts, sat up to loudly applaud … before the music was over. For the rest of the performance he smiled at us and pulled hilariously exaggerated embarrassed faces. Which leads me to…

Learning point 2:

In this cultural city, it is not only the typical snobs and experts who will come to listen to live jazz in a room filled with music.

The audience, and the surroundings were welcoming, but I was still afraid of the performers giving me a disapproving glance. After all we were clearly tourists, clearly not the typical jazz experts, and very clearly late. But the reality was quite the opposite.

Between songs the Supertrio actually shared chat and banter with the crowd. My touristy Spanish wasn’t quite up to all of their jokes, but the band’s friendliness certainly contributed to the warmth and laughter of the atmosphere.

And what about the music?
Oscar Giunto and his Supertrio (with Oscar Giunta thundering on the drums, Hernán Jacinto grooving on the piano and Arturo Puertas boogying on the bass) were interpreting the music of some of the great classic jazz composers. The performers may have been playful between the pieces, but were entranced and entrancing when they played the music – moving from pensive to energetic in a heartbeat.

Oscar Giunta was born into a musical family (he is the son of the bassist and pianist Oscar Giunta sr., and the singer Liliana Parafioriti), and in 1999 he co-founded the Urban Quintet – one of the most iconic new jazz groups in Argentina. But even though he is up there with jazz royalty, he has actually spoken about against all the snobbery and pretentiousness surrounding jazz. In an interview with Mariana Guzzante for Los Andes, Giunta said that he wanted to look outside the ‘pseudo-intellectual’ approach which so many people have to jazz.

Being there, listening the music was quite an experience. The music gave me space and time to think creatively and fully. I have so many mindfulness apps on my phone, but this was the real deal: sitting in a beautiful space, in a warm environment and listening to wonderfully meandering music. And it was free!

Learning point 3:

This music is gooood. Once I’d been helped past the initial anxiety and awkwardness of approaching big old scary jazz, I started realising what all the fuss is about. It’s brilliant.

So, whether you’re a jazz snob or a nervous newbie, I would highly recommend taking yourself along to some of the free gigs and concerts at CCK.

This week alone there are free tickets to hear the jazz of Barry Harris (Saturday 21 October, 8pm – Symphony Hall), and the music of the Buenos Aires Philarmonic Orchestra (Thursday October 19, 8 pm – Symphony Hall), as well as many other performances and classes.

I recommend that you face your fears of music snobs, and let yourself go and listen to the music you want to, with the CCK as an accessible (and free!) starting point.

Full listings are available at http://www.cck.gob.ar/

For more information about Jazz other cultural events contact Vamos Spanish Academy or enter https://vamospanish.com Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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By Holly Stanley, currently studying at
Vamos Spanish Academy

Life as a Londoner vs life as a Porteño

As a Londoner who has fallen hard for Buenos Aires (I’m on my fourth visit already) I have definitely experienced the best (and worst) of each city. Each certainly has its own quirks and edge. However what does each city really do best and what is it really like arriving from a super fast paced European city to a more laidback Latin city?

One key difference that any visitor is going to quickly notice is the truly nocturnal culture that forms a part of everyday Porteño culture. The person who said that New York is the city that never sleeps clearly hadn’t yet visited Buenos Aires. In fact London can seem positively sedate compared to the thriving nightlife scene here. In London whilst you can expect to go out well before midnight and be at home for 2am, don’t even bother turning up before 2am in Buenos Aires, the clubs will be nearly empty on a weekend night. When you do get there, expect full on dancing and pulsing reggaton music. Porteños love a fiesta and will dance long into the morning hours. Night owls and party animals you will be in your element in this all hours city. Don’t miss Hype Tuesdays at Kika club, Honduras 5339.

One aspect I appreciate about London is the vast variety of World cuisines, however as a Brit I will be the first to agree that British cuisine sometimes leaves a whole lot to be desired. If you come to Buenos Aires fear not, the local Argentine cuisine won’t disappoint. An enticing mixture of Italian and Spanish cuisine stirred with a few original Argentine flavours awaits you. From pizza loaded with melted mozzarella to incredible Italian ice cream this city is a carb lover’s heaven. For incredible pizza, don’t miss the restaurant Kentucky. Selling just a few flavours they stick to classics but do them well. For the best Ice Cream in Buenos Aires head directly to Freddo and ask for the dulce de leche ice cream. Both Kentucky and Freddo have several locations across the city meaning there is bound to be one or two near where you are staying.
You must also try the truly Argentine delicacies that cannot be found easily anywhere else. Dulce de Leche stuffed alfajores and as well as facturas are all recommended for those with a sweet tooth. Havanna is an unmissable stop for the best alfajores in Buenos Aires, highly recommended are the 70% cacao alfajores. What’s not to love about chocolate and dulce de leche?
I have also never known anywhere that does a barbecue so spectacularly, in England you may expect a soggy burger and perhaps a hotdog. But seriously you haven’t actually had a true barbecue until you try an asado Argentine style . For your first asado you will simply be in awe at all the different cuts of meat imaginable. If it is your first time trying asado, definitely give Don Julio Parrilla a try. With top quality meat and superb wine it is the perfect introduction to Buenos Aires’ asado culture.

London time vs Porteño time

There tends to be somewhat of a stereotype that European time is fast paced and Latin American time is a little more, shall we say relaxed. This difference between cultures couldn’t be seen more acutely between London and Buenos Aires. Back home we have a tendency to power walk everywhere, running for the bus and complaining if the wait for the metro is more than four minutes. In Buenos Aires things are somewhat more relaxed. Porteños take their time a little more, you will notice this anywhere from withdrawing money from the bank to waiting in a restaurant to simply doing your grocery shopping after work. Things just take a little longer. You need a little more patience to be a Porteño, but once you’ve mastered this, the Porteño way really does become more appealing. Who really does want to run for the bus? Knowing that you can spend a little more time wandering through the leafy streets of Palermo and that if you are a little late everything will be tranquilo makes for a much more relaxed existence.

One simple fact about living in the UK is that we do love to queue. Particularly in London with so many people around, nothing beats a good old fashioned orderly queue. It’s simply so much more efficient and convenient, no? Be prepared to let this completely fly out of the window when you arrive here. I found this out pretty early on and learnt the hard way. When in a packed ice cream shop, don’t stand around the counter looking wishfully at the ice cream. This will not get you anywhere closer to your dream ice cream. You will be pushed to the back and probably ignored. Make sure to waive your ticket and be vocal about what you want. Lesson learnt.

Anyone who has lived in or visited London will groan in agreement that the cost of transport is astronomical. In fact rumour has it, they charge you to breathe on the metro. But to any Londoners hoping to become Portenos, you are in for a pleasant surprise. For just a few pesos (1 peso = 4 pence) you can get across to the other side of town. So the metro may not be as extensive as in London but once you master the collectivos (buses) these are both an inexpensive and efficient way of travel. Upon arrival, definitely invest in a sube card (around 30 pesos) these are indispensable, once bought it can be topped up at any kiosk displaying the sube sign or larger metro stations.

Adjusting to life as a Porteño in Buenos Aires may at first seem like a daunting prospect when comparing it to life in your hometown. However these changes make for an exciting contrast and a chance to live completely differently. If my experience is anything to go by you’ll soon get the hang of it and grow to love the quirks that are completely unique to Buenos Aires. If you are looking to fully immerse yourself into your new Argentine life, give volunteering in Buenos Aires a go.

The post A Brit becoming Argentine appeared first on Vamos Spanish School Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires Argentina.

Buenos Aires’s Top Shows and Evening Events

Probably the most obvious response to this title would be a list of various bar and boliches, but what happens if you’re after something that doesn’t finish at 6 AM and doesn’t include alcohol? Whilst Buenos Aires is probably one of the best cities in the World for nightlife, it is an incredibly cultured and dynamic city that offers plenty of opportunity to experience this. So if you’re a little tired of the all nighters and fernet induced hangovers or if you simply want to experience another side of the city, check out our suggestions below!

La Bomba de Tiempo

Ciudad Cultural Konex, Sarmiento 3131

Every Monday 19:00

Bomba del Tiempo

Tickets: $135 AR if bought before the show and $175 AR if bought on the Monday.
Can be bought online: http://www.ticketek.com.ar/lunes-bomba-en-konex/ciudad-cultural-konex

An improvised percussion party set in a disused oil refinery ensures an electric atmosphere that is bound to get you dancing. Feeling more like an impromptu party than a ticketed event, the energetic percussion players will keep you on your toes for the duration of the show and most likely leave you wanting more. You may be asking how a percussion show could truly be so entertaining but really it so energizing, and gives you a great taste of how diverse and vibrant Buenos Aires’ cultural scene can be. After all how many other cities would turn a disused oil refinery into a cutting edge cultural destination? Definitely has to be seen to be believed. The Ciudad Cultural Konex is also worth a look at for their many other events. A quick glance at their calendar offers an insight into immersive theatre, laser festivals and Patagonian music. One to watch.

IMAGE

Milonga – Salon Canning

Av Raul Scalabrini Ortiz 1331
Open every day, Monday, Tuesday and Friday are best.
23:00 – 5:00

Since you are in the World’s tango capital it would be a shame to miss out on tango in some way. Whether you are a seasoned-pro dancer or just prefer to watch, a Milonga is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the tango culture. A Milonga will also offer you a more authentically Porteño side to the culture rather than the more touristic side commonly experienced through tango shows in the city centre and tango dancers in La Boca. A great all round milonga to try would be Salon Canning located on Av. Scalabrini Ortiz 1331. The crowd is a balanced mix of young, old, professional and novice, making it a relatively relaxed Milonga. Tango is definitely an after dark event, so arriving around 23:30 or later would be your best bet. You can then sit with a glass of vino in hand and wait until the show really gets going after midnight.

Theatre land – Avenida Corrientes

Avenida Corrientes which cuts right through the centre of the city is well known as theatre land. This is the place to head to if you’re after a little bit of broadway in Buenos Aires. Here you can expect many international productions on worldwide tour. If you’re after something more Argentine, check out Teatro General San Martin (Avenida Corrientes 1530). A 70s style theatre that shows a range of national and foreign plays, currently showing Camuflaje! A play all about coincidence and the questioning of reality and fiction. Another theatre to check out would be El Teatro Nacional Cervantes, a stone’s throw from Corrientes on Avenida Cordoba 1155. This theatre is renowned for Argentine comedy, fantastic for learning a little more about Argentine culture and slang. Advice for buying tickets would be to head to the box office of the theatres themselves as the websites tend to be a little hit and miss.

Fuerza Bruta

Centro Cultural Recoleta, Junin, 1930
350 $AR

This show really has to be seen to be believed. A spellbinding combination of acrobatics stunning visuals and jaw dropping theatre stunts leave spectators speechless.There are many moments throughout the show in which you will question how is it humanly possible to do that? Part of the magic of this show is that it is full of completely unexpected surprises that keep the audience completely captivated right the way through to the end. Make sure to dress casually as you’ll be in for a watery surprise at the end. Whilst so popular the show is often on World tour, it is definitely worth checking if it is in town upon arrival in Buenos Aires.

For more information about what to do after dark in Buenos Aires contact Vamos Spanish Academy or visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736. Study Spanish in Argentina

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Where to Kitesurfing in Buenos Aires Argentina

Traveling abroad is the best time to try new things and take a few steps outside of your comfort zone. While many travelers look south to tour the glaciers, north to experience the waterfalls, and west to hike the Andes, there’s a new gravity-defying sport to the east: Kitesurfing.

In the late 90’s Kitesurfing reached Argentina’s shores, and since then it’s popularity here in Argentina amongst locals and travelers alike has increased considerably. For those unfamiliar, Kitesurfing is a sport where you use a large kite to harness the power of the wind to carry you across the water on a small board and sometimes up into the air. So long as there’s wind and water, you can go kitesurfing.

Basic equipment includes the kiteboard, which typically have footstraps, a harness, control bar, and the kite. Some riders will also wear wetsuits and sunglasses, and for safety it’s a good idea to wear a life jacket and even a helmet.

It’s easy to practice this sport all over the world, and from the first time you try it, you’ll be hooked! There’s no time like the present, and no better weather than summer in Buenos Aires to get out on the water.

Kitesurfing Schools:

Here are some schools just north of Buenos Aires that you can contact for classes to get you started:

Second Wind
El Molino
Buenos Aires Kitesurf
Escuela Argentina de Kite
Wind Experience

Discover more about Kitesurfing in Argentina and Study Spanish in Buenos Aires

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Tennis Tournaments in Buenos Aires

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.

Argentina hosted many different tennis tournaments, ATP games and special events take place in Buenos Aires yearly. For Example the ATP Argentina Open. Rafael Nadal and many top players like Tommy Robredo, Fabio Fognini, Argentine Leonardo Mayer and Pablo Cuevas participated. If you are in town, you can get tickets here. The Argentina Open takes place at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.

Argentina hosted the All-South America world group first round of Davis Cup.  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!

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Argentina National Flag

La bandera, the flag, is one of the most important patriotic symbols for a country and  usually it also has a rich history behind it. If you have ever wondered the story behind the light blue and white Argentine flag, why sometimes there is a sun and sometimes not, then there is no better day than today, the Flag Day of Argentina, to learn more about it.

The story of the Argentine National Flag:

On February 27, 1812, the Argentine flag was created and first raised by the Paraná River in the city of Rosario by General Manuel Belgrano, who was one of the main influential figures who had led Argentina to its independence. Some said that the choice of colors (light blue and white) was inspired by the sky or the traditional outfit colors of the Virgin Mary. In fact, the color choice was originated from the cockade that was used during the May Revolution in 1810. The light blue and white escarapela (cockade) was distributed among and used by all supporters at that time so they could be easily recognized and united to fight against the Spanish troops who were signified by the color red.

Even though in the beginning the flag created by Belgrano was not accepted by the government, it was later on authorized to be used as a war flag. In 1816, shortly after the declaration of independence on July 9, the Congress of Tucumán also officially adopted the light blue and white flag as the National flag.

In 1818, the image of the sun was added to the center of the flag. The sun, which is referred to as the “Sol de Mayo” (Sun of May), bears a human face and has 32 rays (16 straight and 16 wavy alternating). This Inca sun symbol was also used and appeared on the first coin of Argentina. As in exactly why the Inca sun symbol was added to the flag, it seems the explanation with most grounds, among the many different point-of-views, was that the government wanted to differentiate the patriotic symbol used for war purposes (in this case, flag with the sun) from general usage on the fields.

The light blue and white with the sun symbol remains as the official national ceremonial flag of Argentina to this day. It is used in all official and formal settings. The flag without the sun is still considered as a recognized patriotic symbol but it’s only for decorative purposes in informal environments.

As seen on your 10 peso Argentine bill.

To honor General Belgrano as one of the Founding Fathers of Argentina and the creator of the National flag, June 20 (the date Belgrano passed away in 1820) was declared in 1938 as the nation’s Flag Day and a public holiday.

For more information about the National Flag of Argentina contact Vamos Spanish Academy Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires

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National Anthem of Argentina

Our national anthem was born in 1812 and was originally 20 minutes long but in 1924 it was cut downto around four minutes for practical reasons, as you can imagine. The lyrics were written by Vicente López y Planes (don’t let that “y” confuse you, it is one person, not two as it is commonly mistaken) and the music was by Blas Parera. You can listen and follow it with the lyrics below. At the end is my English translation for it.

Music Sheet Argentine National Anthem:

Oíd mortales, el grito sagrado:
“¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!”
¡Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas,
ved del trono a la noble Igualdad!

Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
las Provincias Unidas del Sud.
Y los libres del mundo responden
¡Al gran Pueblo Argentino salud!

(Coro)

Sean eternos los laureles
que supimos conseguir:
coronados de gloria vivamos
o juremos con gloria morir.

My non-official English translation for your reference:
Hear, mortals, the sacred cry:
“Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
Hear the sound of the broken chains,
see the noble Equality enthroned!

For the most honorable throne has been set by
The United Provinces of the South.
And the free ones of the world reply,
“To the great Argentine people, hail!”

(Chorus)

May the laurels be eternal,
Which we earned for ourselves
Let us live crowned with glory
Or else, die with gloriously!

Argentina National Anthem Video 

For more information about the Argentine National Anthem contact our Spanish Language School in Argentina or visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736. Cursos de Ingles

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Argentina Patriotic Symbols

On every 25th May we commemorate the revolution that took place back in May 1810 in Buenos Aires, which by that time was the capital of Virreinato del Río de la Plata. The porteños were still dependent of Spain as a colony and governed by the local virrey (viceroy) Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. Fernando VII was in the throne during that time, until Napoleon Bonaparte started his expansion and assigned his brother José Bonaparte as the new king of Spain. Unhappy with their political situation, the citizens of the Virreinato del Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires were determined to act upon it. In the year of 1810, between 18th May to 25th May a number of meetings were held at Cabildo and Plaza de Mayo, where there would be discussions to democratically decide what to do next. They didn’t respect the figure of the Virrey, and they did it even less now that he wasn’t even responding to the rightful king of Spain. The citizens wanted Cisneros to abdicate so that they could take a chance on their own independence. They ended up developing the Junta, an association of people from different social classes who were to replace the virrey Cisneros.

We’ve marked the 25th May as the day of “Revolución de Mayo” (May Revolution) because it was that very day that had kickstarted all the very important chain events which eventually led us to our independence on 9th July, 1816.

The 25th May is a national holiday and there is definitely a richer sense of patriotism in the air during that time of the year (and also around 9th July). You will probably see one of the following items being displayed around in city or small versions being sold at shops.  Let me take this opportunity to tell you the meanings of the four major elements that represent Argentina.

Escarapela

An “escarapela” is a little piece of ribbon that one attaches to one’s clothes with a pin during national holidays.

Our escarapela was born on 25th May, 1810, when a couple of citizens, ordered by Domingo French and Juan Manuel Beruti, stood in Plaza de Mayo and gave out these blue/light blue and white and red ribbons to the rebels to wear in order to show unity and organization. In 1812, the escarapela was declared to be a national symbol and that these were to be bicolor, light blue and white; not red anymore because that was the color that represented Spain and the conservative party.

Nowadays, it is common to see people with one of these escarapelas pinned to their clothing during the Semana de Mayo (18th to the 25th of that month), our Independence Day on 9th July and our flag day on 20th June.

Argentine Flag

The current Argentine flag is based on the first design by Manuel Belgrano back in 1812. He chose light blue and white thinking of the escarapelas that had emerged for the first time two years before. It is believed that he was also thinking of the colors of the Virgin’s garments and the colors of the sky. The sun that is currently in the middle of the white streak (and in some one peso coins) is based on an Incan design that represents Inti, their god of the sun. The sun refers to “Sol de Mayo” (Sun of May) because it alludes to the start of the Independence Revolution of the countries that formed Virreinato del Río de la Plata.

Argentina National Crest

This crest was officially declared to be a national symbol in March 1813. It can be depicted by the meaning of the different elements that construct it, like the light blue and white background suggesting the national flag. The image of the two hands shaking symbolizes the union between the provinces to become one country. The red hat is called “gorro frigio” and it symbolizes liberty, equality and sacrifice. The reason the hands are holding it up is to represent that the people are committed to these values. The laurel branches at the sides stand for victory and glory, and lastly, the sun on top is a newborn sun, as a symbol of truth and prosperity.

Argentina National Anthem Anthem click here

For more information about Argentina visit our Buenos Aires Spanish School or Call us +1-888-808-1242 +54-11-5984-2201 https://vamospanish.com

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Argentine Carnival 2018

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.

Murga in the City of Buenos Aires

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.

Gualeguaychú Carnival

The biggest and the most important Carnival celebration in Argentina takes place in Gualeguaychú. There are parades and performances from January 9-16-23-30 and February 6-7-8-13-20. This year 2016 ”comparsas” are going to be Papelitos, Marí-Marí y O´Bahia.

Watch the Carnival video from Gualeguaychu

Other popular carnival destinations:

– Los Carnavales de Corrientes will begin on January 22 ending on February 9 . In 2016 Corrientes was declared the Argentina national capital of the Carnaval.

Corrientes Carnival Argentina

– El Carnaval de la Quebrada de Humahuaca takes place in Tilcara, a city in Jujuy. The festivities start on February 6 and last till February 14, 2016, 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).

Jujuy Desentierro del Diablo Carnival

– Los Carnvavales de Salta begins on January 14 till February 9. They have parades and celebrations almost every night at different locations in the city of Salta.

Carnival in Salta

– Last but not least, in the City of Buenos Aires on February 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, 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 and locations.

Buenos Aires City Carnival

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!

We hope you enjoyed reading our blog and would love if you could share and like it on your social media below.

Learn more about our Spanish School Buenos Aires Discover Argentina. Check more Blogs here

The Vamos Spanish Academy Team +

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Yerba Mate Bars in Buenos Aires Argentina

Many foreigners to Buenos Aires may find themselves wanting to try yerba mate (the hot beverage which the Argentines drink daily), but are hesitant to invest in all of the necessary supplies in order to make it.

The solution? Mate bars.

Now as a (silly) foreigner myself, upon hearing this term I thought of a small café that specialized in nothing but yerba mate. I envisioned a place with comfortable, communal areas to sit and laugh, rather than traditional tables and chairs like in a restaurant or café.

Well, reader, let me tell you that I was wrong. And I got a good laugh out of my Argentine friends upon describing my vision of a mate bar. But what this term really refers to is a restaurant or café that serves mate as part of the menu, and it’s often ordered by friends getting together after work or on the weekends for a snack and, of course, some mate. While mate bars can actually be found all over the city (if you know where to look…), you may have noticed that normal restaurants don’t offer mate as part of the menu. This is because yerba mate is a social experience as much as it is a beverage – so people will get together and have mate pretty much everywhere in the city (at school, at work, at home, in the parks, and even in the streets), but they won’t have it with a meal at a restaurant.

So when you find a mate bar, here’s what you can expect: you’ll be given either a kettle or thermos full of hot water, some yerba, a mate cup, and a bombilla (a special straw for drinking mate). This is often served with some bread, toast, or pastries along with some jam, dulce de leche, or butter. Like I said, this is meant to be a snack.

If you want to join us for our weekly Mate Workshop you can RSVP on our facebook page www.facebook.com/vamospanish or visit us in Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Palermo, Argentina. 

Where to Try Yerba Mate:

Here are some suggested restaurants and mate bars where you can sample some mate (and these are pretty good places for dinner as well):

Las Cabras (Fitz Roy 1795, Palermo)

Las Cholas (Arce 306, Las Cañitas) – they have outdoor tables where you can sit and enjoy your mate

La Cholita (Rodriguez Peña 1165, Recoleta) (this is the same owner and menu as Las Cholas, just a different location and no outdoor tables)

Cumaná (Rodriguez Peña 1163, Recoleta)

El Federal (San Martín 1015, Microcentro)

La Pulpería (Uriarte 1667, Palermo)

Raices – Cocina Casera con Historia (Crisólogo Larralde 3995, Nuñez)

And in more recent years, some of the mate companies have begun to work together with local cafés and bars, so it’s a lot easier to find a place to try some:

Amanda Mate Bar – This is a mate service offered in a variety of bars in and around Buenos Aires by the yerba mate company, Amanda. Here’s a list in Buenos Aires, some of these places have multiple locations as well:

– La Payuca (Av. Santa Fe 2587, Recoleta; Arenales 3443, Palermo)

– Bart Tango (Marcelo T. de Alvear 1326, Retiro)

– Punta Cuore (Av. Córdoba 1893, Recoleta; Av. Belgrano 1700, Monserrat)

– La Máquina de jugar (Sanchez de Bustamante 1649, Recoleta)

– República de Acá (Alvarez Thomas 601, Colegiales)

Zona Taragüi – There are too many to list, but this is another mate service offered by the yerba mate company, Taragüi. Check out their facebook page to see a map of their locations.

Last but not least: mate is meant to be a social drink, something to share, so don’t forget to bring your friends!

Other Yerba Mate Articles:

Mate the National Drink of Argentina

Argentine Culture 101: Yerba Mate

If you enjoyed reading our blog please don’t forget to share it below. Thank you and Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires

Kat

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