Living in Argentina while Studing Spanish in Buenos Aires

In three days, I will have officially been in Buenos Aires for two months!

It’s not like I haven’t felt it coming, since that’s one of the first questions I get when striking up a conversation with locals: “How long have you been here?” It comes right after, “So, where are you from?” and “Do you realize how the rest of the world feels about the U.S.?” Yet it still feels weird to think that one-third of my time here has already passed me by. In the weeks preceding my study abroad take-off, I had tried to imagine what a scene from the two-month mark would feel like.

I’d be sipping mate on some grassy knoll—accompanied by my new porteño social circle—and discussing the nuances of the Argentine politics I had by now mastered. All in fluent Spanish, of course.

BTW if you like mate you might want to read The 101 of Yerba Mate

My friend, who’d studied abroad last semester in India, advised me that study abroad experiences are typically divided into three distinct stages. During her first two months, everything had felt exciting and new, from monkey raids in the Himalayas to life-or-death rickshaw rides. During the second two months, things that may have seemed “different” at first now became uncomfortable. (Although, I can’t quite see how taking showers with buckets of cold water could have lost its appeal.) Alas, during the last two months, everything had become fine and dandy again, as she realized that her time was nearing an end, India was culturally and visually astounding, and traveling is infinitely more interesting than finals.

Also Read: How to Learn a language

Luckily, I haven’t started to feel uncomfortable about anything yet. I don’t really see myself doing so either, since I’ve already grown accustomed to neighborhood catcalls and learned early on that running on the street is a cultural faux pas. But I think my lack of discomfort is also because I may have skipped the first stage as well. I’ve loved Living in Buenos Aires thus far, and would still pick Argentina as my study abroad location if I were to choose again. And yet, I’m still waiting for a lot of the “new” and unfamiliar to kick in. Walking the streets of Puerto Madero feels eerily similar to San Francisco and the Bay Area, while Palermo Hollywood might as well be in Los Angeles. I speak much more English than I do Spanish, and hear much more English in general than I thought I would. I haven’t been adopted into an Argentinean social circle, and I’m perpetually confused by Argentinean politics … I’ll admit I have yet to figure out whether Mauricio Macri is a good president.

I guess what I’ve come to realize is that, depending on where you are and how you choose to adapt, studying abroad can prove to be more like vacationing than actually assimilating into a culture. Or worse, you can fashion it to feel as far from “abroad” as possible. In my own study abroad program, I’ve noticed students who will unwittingly choose to go to the most American bars in Palermo, who will keep their Spanish restricted solely to the classroom and put on a gringo accent outside of it, and whose biggest efforts in cultural immersion have centered around adjusting to the late partying schedule.

Also Read: The best way to learn Spanish

It’s both easy and comfortable to stick to what we know— to settle into our extranjero (foreigner) routines, to give up on trying to make Argentinean friends and leave our cultural immersion to exchanges within boliches (night clubs). We can cook pasta on weekday nights, meet up with friends in Palermo and Recoleta near Vamos Spanish Academy during the weekends, briefly lament about the fact that our Spanish isn’t improving that fast, but just be generally content with the fact that we’re having the time of our lives. The specific locations would be different, but our previous lifestyle (minus studying) would be intact.

Also Read: Immerse in the art and culture of Buenos Aires Argentina 

But there’s a fine line between comfortable and lazy. While discussing the poverty facing most Argentinean, my professor went on a tangent last week about the manicured façade of Buenos Aires, and about how much of it doesn’t represent Argentina at all. “Recoleta es una ficción,” he had said. Though we came here to experience as much of Buenos Aires (and Argentina) as possible, I know too many Vamos Spanish students who have barely ventured outside of the parameters of Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano.

Popular ares in Buenos Aires Argentina

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been guilty of at least some of the above; a few months ago, I never would have suspected that culture shock would be something I’d have to work for. But I’ve been taking baby steps, striking up conversations with baristas at my barrio café about their lives in Salta, making it a point to speak more Spanish with friends and getting excited about getting up early for Spanish classes at Vamos Spanish Academy and all their social and cultural activities, and opting for hidden local favorites instead of tourist traps. It might not be as extreme as experiencing monkey raids in the Himalayas, but I’m trying my hardest to get uncomfortable.

So don’t cry for me, Argentina. While it’s true that there’s some pasta on the stove tonight with my name on it, I’m not ready to give up on you just yet.

If you want to know more about my blog or the Spanish School in Buenos Aires please visit our website vamospanish.com or visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Buenos Aires

By Trine Steinicke

The post From USA to Argentina – Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires appeared first on Vamos Spanish School.

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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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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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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Buenos Aires Neighborhoods
All the Areas of Palermo Explained Part 2

Anyone planning to come to Buenos Aires is very likely to come across the many sub-barrios (neighborhoods) of Palermo. But this can turn out to be very confusing, especially when you hear two names for the same area or discover that there seems to be some overlap in the territory! So here’s a list of the sub-neighborhoods within Palermo, including the ones that you’re most likely to run into and some super-obscure ones you may never have come across. Also, since there are many versions out there regarding which are the exact defining streets for each ‘zone’, I have considered all the variations, picked the ones most agreed upon and included their approximate locations along with their names for your reference.

Also you might want to check out “100 Barrios Part 1“, if you haven’t yet, to read up on interesting facts of the other Buenos Aires neighborhoods.

Barrio de Palermo:

1) Palermo Hollywood (between Av. Dorrego and Av. Juan B. Justo, Av. Córdoba and Av. Santa Fe) – This name came from the television studios (such as Channel 9) as well as production companies located in that area. Some might say the name “Palermo Hollywood” was meant to make the area sound more glamorous than it really is. Whatever your opinion, it has a ton of restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it a fun place to live and for nightlife. This area in particular is characterized by cobblestone streets.

2) Palermo SoHo (between Av. Juan B. Justo and Av. Scalabrini Ortiz, Av. Córdoba and Av. Santa Fe) – The name comes from the SoHo of New York City and London. At the heart of Palermo SoHo is a place listed on maps as Plaza Cortázar (but it’s always called Plaza Serrano). This is the area famous for all the local designer boutiques, fancy restaurants and bars, where surely the place to see and be seen day and night.

3) Palermo Viejo (between Av. Scalabrini Ortiz and Av. Dorrego, Av. Córdoba and Av. Santa Fe) – Please take a moment to observe a map and compare the location of Palermo Viejo to Palermo’s Hollywood and SoHo. I’ll wait. All done? Palermo Viejo is the old name for that whole area now called SoHo and Hollywood, before it was divided down Av. Juan B. Justo. If you look around, you’ll find hostels and stores that still bear this name, refusing to be swept away in the New-York-ification of their city.

4) Palermo Nuevo (between Av. Coronel Díaz and Av. Sarmiento, Av. Las Heras and Av. del Libertador) – I’ve noticed there’s also some disagreement about the perimeter of this neighborhood, and you can find many maps that show it’s location as being between Av. Bullrich and Av. Sarmiento, Av. Santa Fe and Av. del Libertador. Wherever it might be located, “New Palermo” is a trendy and fairly recently formed area (at least since 2007), full of cafés and boutiques, but still very residential.

5) Alto Palermo (or Palermo Alto) – (the 2 block area surrounding the Alto Palermo Shopping) – This area takes its name after the nearby mall, and pretty much anyone living within 2 or 3 blocks can probably safely say they live in Alto Palermo. This is also where our Spanish School in Buenos Aires Vamos Spanish Academy, is located, a very vibrant and accessible area.

6) Las Cañitas (Av. Luis María Campos and Av. del Libertador, Av. Olleros and Av. Dorrego) – This area is well-known and popular for being full of great parrillas, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. This is one of the original Palermo’s, although many people think it’s part of Belgrano (it’s not). Unlike some of the more obscure parts of Palermo, everyone will know what (and where) you’re talking about. The name “Cañitas” comes from the early 20th century, from the reeds (cañas) in the nearby arroyo Maldonado.

7) Palermo Botánico (between Av. Scalabrini Ortiz and Plaza Italia, Av. Las Heras and Charcas) – This is the area around the Jardín Botánico. Not much else to say.

8) Plaza Italia (the area around Plaza Italia) – As with “Palermo Botánico”, the name comes from proximity to a major landmark. “Plaza Italia” is also a subway stop on Line D. Pretty straightforward. You’re likely to notice some overlap with Botánico and Pacífico (see #11). 

9) Palermo Chico (between Av. del Libertador and the railroad tracks, Cavia and Tagle) – This is a very expensive part of Palermo where no normal person can afford to live (only TV stars and other assorted millionaires). You may sometimes hear it called “Barrio Parque” and this is another one of the original sub-neighborhoods of Palermo.

10) Palermo Pacífico (between Av. Santa Fe and Guatemala, Uriarte and Juan B. Justo) – Some say this area extends up to Av. Dorrego, others say it ends at the Puente Pacífico (thus the name) – you have probably never heard of this neighborhood and may never hear it called by this name. You’ll notice some overlap with Palermo Hollywood and SoHo on either side of Juan B. Justo.

11) Palermo Boulevard (Av. Juan B. Justo between Guatemala and Gorriti) – So named because of the towers built in this area – it’s also called “Palermo Centro” sometimes. Just like Pacífico, this is another neighborhood that I’ve never heard of.

12) Villa Freud/Palermo Sensible (between Av. Coronel Diaz and Av. Scalabrini Ortiz, Av. Santa Fe and Soler) – So named due to the high concentration of psychoanalysts in the area. Based on some brief market research, I think this name is only known to people who live in or near Palermo (which is my way of saying, your taxi driver may have no idea where you want to go if you say you want to go to “Villa Freud” – you’re better off saying Alto Palermo.

13) Zona Roja (around the Bosques de Palermo and along Godoy Cruz between Av. Córdoba and Av. Santa Fé) Sort of like the red-light district in other cities, this area is known as the place where transvestites work. During the day the area is full of people jogging and skateboarding, but at night it’s another story. You may not hear this as much during normal conversation, and most people are likely to say that they live in “Palermo SoHo” (or “Viejo” or “Pacífico”) before they say they live in the “Zona Roja”.

14) La Imprenta – It’s theoretically within Las Cañitas at Migueletes 800, and earned its name from the printing house (imprenta) of the Jockey Club. I’m fairly certain no one has said this or heard of it recently.

And finally, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not mention the Fake Palermos, which are not even in the official Palermo Neighborhood limits:

1) Palermo Queens – is actually in Villa Crespo. The name was made up by realtors hoping to make the property sound more desirable to foreigners.

2) “Palermo Dead” (sometimes also called “Chacalermo”), an area around the Chacarita cemetery. Which is in Chacarita and not, as you may have noticed, in Palermo.

3) “La Paternal” (near Chacarita) is sometimes nicknamed “Palermo Fatherhood” – but I have yet to find a reasonable explanation for tagging Palermo onto this one.

While I’m sure with some digging you might be able to come up with a few more (or to be honest, you can probably invent one and no one would know the difference) – this list should help you to maneuver your way around the many, many neighborhoods of Palermo!

Other neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires
Click Here https://vamospanish.com/100-barrios-part-1-unofficial-neighborhoods-of-buenos-aires/

Note: The title picture credit goes to renowned Argentine artist Miguel A. Repiso, from his book ‘Y Rep Hizo Los Barrios Buenos Aires Dibujada’. Look for it in a bookstore when you are in the city, it’d make an awesome souvenir! To see more of Rep’s signature work, visit his website at miguelrep.com.ar

If you want to learn more about our Spanish School Buenos Aires enter our website vamospanish.com or visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736 Buenos Aires Palermo Argentina

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Visas for Argentina

As an american with his 90 day tourist visa running out I started to stress on how to extend this. After googling and failing to find time for a trip to colonia I found the best option was to deal with the Dirección Nacional De Migraciones. My Spanish in this first 90 day period improved but not nearly enough to be confident taking on this system, that so many others said was very tedious and more complicated than it should have been. I spent a few hours googling and found a few different websites giving instruction on how to do this but they were all a few years dated and upon trying it on my own I found that the system changed enough to warrant the help of a friend for my second journey in 2 days.

What you need:

• Valid passport
• Renewal tax; $ 600 (pesos).
• A copy of your passport, the page with your photo on it. I got asked for a copy of the page my first visa stamp was on, but this is unnecessary. (pretty sure the attendant I got was just lazy and did not want to copy it himself. But he had to, because I did not have it)

Getting to Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (Argentina Immigration)

I found that the easiest way to get there was by Subway (subte). I took linea C to retiro station (last stop on the C line going north/northeast). When you get off walk through the park to San martin take a left and cross some train tracks and take a right on Avenida Antártida Argentina (there is usually people selling empanadas and other random stuff along this street) the Dirección Nacional De Migraciones is on the left so cross the road. I highly recommend looking up the way before going… At the entrance there is a gate to the parking lot to the right and a covered street to the left. If you are confident in Spanish ask the guard at the gate where to go as they may have changed it, but if you are not I will do my best to guide you. To the left of this guarded gate to the parking lot is a building running parallel to the Avenida you walked down, walk down this building until you get to building (edificio) 3. There should be someone standing outside that will ask you for your passport and what you want to do (Extend your tourist visa for 90 more days). He will tell you to go to a certain line, I got pointed into the first line that was shorter and had other gringos. Now you are in and it is pretty straightforward what to do after this if you pay attention, but i will explain more of what I did.

Once you have waited and get to the window you will have to tell the attendant what you want to do again (Extend your visa for 90 more days) he will look at your passport and give you a number with a letter and tell you to go to building (edificio) 6. This will be a large stone building behind building 3 on the other side of a park. Once in this building there is about 20 windows but only 3-4 with the letter that´s on your ticket. You can go up to these windows if there is no one there and ask if you are in the right place and then you wait until your number is called.

Also Read 

American Visitors will no longer have to pay when entering Argentina

Once called explain what you want to do again. He will take your passport and copy of your passport and give you a receipt. You have to take this receipt to another window at the other end of the building and pay your 600 pesos (only cash). They will give you a receipt and take that back to your attendant. Your attendant might be processing another visa so wait until he calls you and present your receipt. He will give you your passport back and you´re done!

Well it went like that for me it will probably change depending on the day but probably not by much. I would highly recommend getting there at 8 if not earlier to avoid crazy lines. Translate a few words and research how to get there and other tips to make this a bit easier. You can only extend your visa once after your first 90 days. If you wish to stay longer than 180 days you will have to leave the country and come back (I suggest colonia express). Once you arrive back in the country you can extend your visa again after your new 90 day tourist visa expires. I found that this way was cheaper than going to colonia but that might change as argentina raises the prices of everything often.

Also Read

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Brazilian Tourist Visa in Buenos Aires

Update (Dec 2017): Canadians will no longer have to pay any fee (reciprocity fee) to enter Argentina

If you want more information about Argentine Visas or of our Buenos Aires Spanish School  visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736 contact us at info@vamospanish.com https://vamospanish.com – Vamos Spanish Academy

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Reciprocity Visa for Americans, Canadians and Australians 

Reciprocity Visa fee is no longer required!

For years the Argentine government has been charging Americans, Canadians and Australians visitors a fee of US$160 for entering Argentina, this was called ”reciprocity fee”, due to the fact that the Argentine people have to pay when applying for an American, Canadians and Australian tourist visas”.

The Argentine National Immigration Agency or Dirección Nacional de Migraciones has issued through Law / Disposition 589/2016 that effective immediate the Reciprocity Fee will no longer be applicable for American Citizens, Canadian Citizens and Australian Citizens Passport holders entering Argentina. This is clearly the beginning of a new era between Argentina  USA/Canada/Australia relations and without a doubt it will increase tourism between this two nations.

United Stated of America, along with Canada and Australia were the only 3 major countries asking for Visas to Argentinian Citizens.

Also read about how to get a Visa from Brazil

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Brazilian Tourist Visa in Buenos Aires

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For more information enter our Buenos Aires Spanish School Website https://vamospanish.com or come visit us at Av. Coronel Diaz 1736 Buenos Aires Our Phones are: +54-11-5984-2201 Toll-Free +1 888-808-1242 info@vamospanish.com

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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.

Also Read: Top 10 Argentine Hands Gestures and Expressions

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!

 Vamos Spanish Academy Av. Coronel Diaz 1736, Buenos Aires, Argentina. +541159842201 +18888081242

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