What do you like here in BA?

[Napoleon]

There's an amazing street art scene here thats pretty unique in the world.

I prefer the Stencil Art to the graffiti-

 

[jp]

There's a bit of a war on words. Stencil art, graffiti and mixed media can all be loosely classed as street art. Graffiti itself just means markings on walls. But people get very touchy about the semantics and what each word means, or should.

Anyways, there's treasures dotted around the city.
Once you tune in you seem them everywhere.

 

[gouchobob]

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.

I guess I'm going to sound like Dear Abby, but hear goes anyway.
It sounds to me like you basically don't like the culture which you can't do anything about, and you'd already be gone except for your girlfriend. No amount of polo or tango shows is likely to change how you feel. Traveling around may give you a different perspective as B.A. is not all of Argentina, as New York is not all of the U.S. Even the most adamant admirers of B.A. on this site will still tell you it can be tough place to live. Daily life can be a grind and the food is pretty boring. I don't think you should stay if you aren't happy, life is to short. Any chance the girlfriend would be interested in traveling with you to other locales. You need to work this out with her. Perhaps if you traveled inside the country you could both find a location you could agree on. Perhaps there are other places in the world she'd be interested.

One last thing, enjoy your stakes.

 

[ssr]

I guess I'm going to sound like Dear Abby, but hear goes anyway.
It sounds to me like you basically don't like the culture which you can't do anything about, and you'd already be gone except for your girlfriend. No amount of polo or tango shows is likely to change how you feel. Traveling around may give you a different perspective as B.A. is not all of Argentina, as New York is not all of the U.S. Even the most adamant admirers of B.A. on this site will still tell you it can be tough place to live. Daily life can be a grind and the food is pretty boring. I don't think you should stay if you aren't happy, life is to short. Any chance the girlfriend would be interested in traveling with you to other locales. You need to work this out with her. Perhaps if you traveled inside the country you could both find a location you could agree on. Perhaps there are other places in the world she'd be interested.

One last thing, enjoy your stakes.

Thanks for the response, gouchobob. And, yes, getting the hell out of dodge is the plan once she's done with school. We've already taken a bunch of trips (Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, a few places here in Argentina, Florida, New York) but Buenos Aires is home base for the time being. Just trying to make the best of it while I'm here.

 

[ssr]

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/

Thanks for the response and the links, jp. That graffiti does look super-cool. I'll certainly keep my eyes open and pay more attention to the street art from now on. And if you're ever in NYC, you might like this place 5 Pointz in Queens:

http://5ptz.com/

And thanks for the tango tip. My girlfriend was just telling me that there's all sorts of different tango so maybe what I've seen and heard hasn't been a very representative sample of what's actually out there. That Catedral place does look cool so I may very well be there next Tuesday night.

 

[ssr]

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.

Thanks for the tips, tangobob. I've never been to a milonga so I think I'll be heading to one soon (Catedral is a milonga, no?). And I've been meaning to wander around Belgrano a bit more so you've provided me with yet another reason to.

 

[tangobob]

Yes Catedral is a milonga, go to http://baexpats.org/expat-life/6601-tango-show.html to see some of my recomendations.

 

[Mano Negra]

ssr

Having read your posts I think more radical action is called for. Personally I can't think of anything you can do in New York that you can't do here with the possible exception of certain cuisines. If you want to learn anything, this is the perfect place to take a course as it is all so cheap if you are earning dollars! However, I diagnose you are sliding into depression and that your affection for said woman is inadequate to keep you interested. The answer, up your risk profile. My suggestions are;

Buy an old Ford Falcon and drive it very fast through the city. This beats track days at your local circuit.

Become a window cleaner. Mine descend 46 floors on tiny wooden chairs suspended from very slim ropes. And they swing about a lot - I'm happy to introduce you.

Learn to play polo. Thundering about at 30 miles an hour trying to hit a small ball while the opposition bangs a tonne of horse flesh into your side will probably scare the shit out of you.

Learn to juggle and then try and make a few bucks standing in the middle of a major traffic intersection. Finesse and timing is vital here.

Takes some hard drugs (possesion is apparently not illegal here), go to the smartest club you know and try and pick up the most beautiful girl in the room, regardless of whether she has a ring on her finger or a very large boyfriend.

Go to a strip joint, pick up two or three young ladies, take them to a themed love hotel and take pics with your mobile phone. This is not really dangerous until your girlfriend finds the phone, especially if she is Argentine!

If all the above fail to lift the gloom, I can lend you a razor blade to go with your hot bath!

 

[steveinbsas]

Go to a strip joint, pick up two or three young ladies, take them to a themed love hotel and take pics with your mobile phone. This is not really dangerous until your girlfriend finds the phone, especially if she is Argentine!

Or, if your girlfriend is attracted to other girls, take her along. Most of the female escort ads on the web here include "lesbianismo" in the list of services offered...and most of these girls are HOT!

 

[Mano Negra]

Or, if your girlfriend is attracted to other girls, take her along. Most of the female escort ads on the web here include "lesbianismo" in the list of services offered...and most of these girls are HOT!

Steve, you might be better with "Atencion a parejas" or you could feel a little left out!