What do you like here in BA?

[Dudester]

New York? I used to go all the time in the very late 70's and entire 80's when it was known as dangerous, falling apart, and generally all around f**ked up. I loved it. Stayed at the Century Paramount (now just known as over priced PARAMOUNT - 1/2 a block from Times Square) for something like $65 a night (try and find that now). OK the rooms were a bit on the shabby side but the price was right and the rooms were passible. Broadway was peaking with DRAMATIC plays, not silly musical sh*t. Hoffman, DeNiro, Pacino, Hurt, saw them all on Broadway, what a great time for theater...... anyway, now NYC is nothing but a VERY over priced Disneyland that's short on rides. Totally Plastic (at least the 80's were real) Buenos Aires, for one thing, it's real. Go to Tango shows at night - Tango's one of the most beautiful things on the planet, the drama of it, the sensuality of it, the passion.....

TANGO, that's it, that's the effing answer......

 

[ssr]

New York? I used to go all the time in the very late 70's and entire 80's when it was known as dangerous, falling apart, and generally all around f**ked up. I loved it... ...anyway, now NYC is nothing but a VERY over priced Disneyland that's short on rides. Totally Plastic (at least the 80's were real) Buenos Aires, for one thing, it's real. Go to Tango shows at night - Tango's one of the most beautiful things on the planet, the drama of it, the sensuality of it, the passion.....

TANGO, that's it, that's the effing answer......

Hah! Yeah, NYC was certainly more exciting back when it was a lawless shithole, but there's still plenty to love these days, just mostly outside of Manhattan now. And, yes, it has gotten crazy expensive.

About the tango: do you have any specific recommendations? Where do you see shows? I've seen a bit here and there and it really hasn't done it for me but I'm certainly willing to be convinced of its beauty and sensuality and whatnot.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[gouchobob]

Just enjoy what it has to offer for now, including cheap stakes and vino. Travel around the country a bit as others have recommended. Remember most people are only going to stay for a year or two at the most. Your situation is not unusual. Don't worry about it.

 

[ssr]

Wow! I think you´re too negative... that´s why you don´t enjoy BA!

Besides you should understand that nightclubs and music is for argentinian people and their current music tastes, not for you and your american culture... so to enjoy this city you should try to be more argentinian and less american... and finding good argentinian friends to hung out with is the best way to enjoy this city, their bars, cafes, nightclubs, streets...

almagestos, I appreciate the response but trying to be more Argentinean is certainly not something on my to do list. I'll put it this way: I'm a traveler that's gotten a bit held up by a girl that I like an awful lot. There are all sorts of other places I'd rather be right now but the heart wants what the heart wants so I'm going to stick around BA for a while.

And, hey, it's not Mogadishu; I can understand why people like the place (architecture, pretty girls, cheap steaks, whatever). But I've been here a while now and there is an awful lot of sameness. And if there's anything I can't tolerate for long, it's that. I'm addicted to variety and novelty; to constantly finding things I've never seen or done or eaten before. And this makes Buenos Aires a bad match for a guy like me.

But I could be wrong. It's a big place and I haven't seen all that much of it. So, if you or anyone else can help point me in the direction of some crazy cool stuff, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Napoleon]

Just enjoy what it has to offer for now, including cheap stakes...

Then again, if you're a vampire, this might scare the ever-living-shit out of you.

 

[tangobob]

Then again, if you're a vampire, this might scare the ever-living-shit out of you.

We Tango vampires are always keeping a I out for stakes and cheque every venue first, if you here any more let me no.

 

[tangobob]

Just to add a real answer to the question: Tango, tango music, and more tango.
Watch out around the city you regularly get free concerts by the school orquestas, quality far beyond anything you would expect.
Milongas that are more about socialising than showing off (ie not show tango)
And as recomended in another post try the park in Belgrano on a weekend evening, just follow your ear towards the music. Then sit and enjoy the dancing and music, be enthralled and have your spirit lifted.

 

[ssr]

Polo - hardcore. Not hobby at all - dangerous, requires lots & lots of skill and it's actually really fun to watch. And again, this is the best of the best in the world. I won't bore you explaining the rules but it's the equivalent of an all-star game.

The racetrack is indeed next to Kansas and it's free. (There's a casino downstairs as well).
Areco is one of my favorite places - now there isn't much "to do" but I love to wander around, they have some great silver there, etc. The fiesta guacha is coming up as well - if you haven't been, that's a must-see. My friends have stayed here in Areco several times and loved it - http://www.lacinacina.com.ar/
San Isidro is fun - race track there as well, the fair on the weekends, restaurants all along the water.
Speaking of water, have you gone to Tigre and done a cruise? That's a great way to spend a day as well.
Done the ecological reserve in Puerto Madero?

Sadly, the pizza, bagels and deli sandwiches I can't help with, more to my chagrin.

citygirl, thanks again for all the info. I've only been to the ecological reserve once, over a year ago, but I think it was too hot a day for it and we got eaten alive by mosquitos so I think I'll go check it out again soon before the weather gets too hot and the Dengue-squitos take over again.

I have spent a couple of days in Tigre. My brother-in-law's mother is from here and her family took us all out on their boat and to their house out there. No shortage of mosquitos out there as well. It's a pretty cool place, though.

I'm going to go read about the fiesta guacha right now. Thanks again!

 

[citygirl]

Clarification - it's actually the dia de la tradicion en Areco - there will be tons of people but it's a lot of fun. It's from Oct-31 Nov 10th. The 10th will be the big day. Basically a big old gaucho party And the asado is amazing!

Info here: http://sanantoniodeareco.com/turismo/fiestadelatradicion/

 

[jp]

There's an amazing street art scene here thats pretty unique in the world.
http://graffitimundo.com

And you really need to tango. Catedral is a beautiful place, and great for beginners. Go on a tuesday.
http://nadaenespecial.com.ar/2007/03/14/la-catedral/