Arriving In January

[davidtarbuck]

Hi folks

I've enjoyed reading the forums so thought I'd join up.

I'm an Englishman; early thirties; copywriter and culture vulture. I am moving to Buenos Aires in January and of course hoping to (significantly) improve my Spanish. I am looking forward to learning Porteño!

I am interested in many activities but the main ones are listed below. It would be so nice to get your advice on how to practice them in BA.

1. Executive training - For my job in the UK, I provide expert English writing and speaking training for professionals. Are there any companies that I could approach in this area?

2. Running - I will be living in Caballito. Are there any green places to run without choking on BA's bus fumes?

3. Theatre and writing - This is a major part of my life. If any knows a creative writing or theatre group they can recommend, I'd be very grateful. Ideally in English again, as that is my specialism.

4. Meeting fellow expats - I will be spending most of my time with Argentinians and so I would love to establish a friendship group with some like-minded English speakers to share stories, tips and drinks. Are there are groups that regulalry meet up?

Many thanks for anyone who has read this far and decides to comment

Best wishes

David

 

[Gringoboy]

Greetings from a fellow Brit!
Although I can't help you with 1 to 3 David, you may like to know that a member here organises regular coffee chats in BA, which is a great way to meet other expats.
Cheers!

 

[camel]

I think the buses here run on natural gas (as do some taxis), so their exhaust isn't too bad. Cars are another story...i don't think they require catalytic converters here (or it's not enforced). I think people walking with cigarettes bother me more than the cars! In any case, there are parks around the city, I don't know about caballito specifically. Just checked Google maps, I see Plaza Irlanda and Parque Centenario in the general area.

 

[Matiasba]

Buenos Aires is a theatre meca. But in spanish...

 

[lis2007_hotmail_com]

In Caballito is the Parque Rivadavia (big square) in Av. Rivadavia and Acoyte (or the same street J.M.Moreno). Theatre in English in Suipacha street between Juncal and Arroyo (AACI)...

 

[Dada]

Hi, welcome

In Caballito there's Parque Centenario and P. Rivadavia, which are great for shorter runs, but if you're into long distance, it's worth it to go elsewhere for the run, such as the parks of Palermo or similar. My favourite places for running are Puerto Madero along the water or Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur, which is ideal during working days but ridiculously overcrowded on weekends. Oh, and it closes pretty early in the evening, at about 5 or 6 pm.

There's actually a school specifically for creative writing (of which I happen to be a student). http://www.casadelet...m.ar/ in castellano of course, but then, hey, you said it yourself you want to improve your Spanish "significantly". Personally, I can't imagine a better or faster way to do just that. Plus, the faster you get there, the sooner you'll be able to enjoy the full spectrum of local theatre scene.

Another member of this forum also organizes literature chats, in English. Which I am still to discover, as I'm still quite a new arrival myself.

 

[estebandepraga]

Welcome to BA!
I will also be back in BA early January after a 6 month absence of travel and work in Europe and Africa. Try to come to one of the Thursday coffee chats and you can meet some great people there!
Cheers,
Esteban

 

[davidtarbuck]

Thanks to everyone for responding. I've very grateful for all those tips!