Buenos Aires Yearly Cultural Calendar

Buenos Aires has multiple free and almost free events happening everyday. Whether you are into music, dance, history or the outdoors, a little Internet research will lead you to some great options. To get details and tickets contact Madi@baculturalconcierge.com or visit www.baculturalconcierge.com

Fasionistas: Buenos Aires Moda Fashion Festival, March & September

Opera Enthusiasts: Teatro Colon, March-Dec

Electronic Music Muses: South American Music Conference, March

Film Freaks: BAFICI 10-Day Independent Film Festival, April

If you dig it all: Codigo Pais Festival of Music and Design, April

Tangueros: Tango Festival, 9-Day Tango Extravaganza, mid August

Artsy Fartsies: ArteBA International Art Festival, mid May

Winos: Feria de Vinos y Bodegas, early Sept

Music + Drugs: Creamfields Techno Music Festival, early November

Jockey Jocks: Gran Premio Nacional Horse Races, mid November

Dancing in the moonlight: Festival de Buenos Aires de Danza Contemporanea, Dec

Specific dates:

May 25th Revolutionaries: Subte-it to Plaza de Mayo for festivities and national sing-alongs. This being the bicentennial, get ready for live music, special performances and lots of white blue and....white.

July 9th Independent Spirits: Hit up the cafés along Avenida de Mayo, enjoy hot chocolate with churros followed by a mass at the cathedral is attended by the hot president, and revel in a serious talking-to given by the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

October 10th Athletes: Buenos Aires Marathon, Adidas – do you?

November 1st LGBT: Gay Pride March, dress to impress ... and shock

Eco-Friendly Spanish Classes in Buenos Aires!

Send Love BA is a SUPER FAN of Vamos Spanish Academy. Not only does this school have awesome teachers and a great location in Alto Palermo, it is focused on eco-friendly learning.

Buenos Aires is beginning to blossom with green businesses (Home Hotel, Relevansi and The Laundry Company) and Vamos! is the first Spanish school in Buenos Aires to join the movement.

Just how green are they?

- original materials are designed by teachers so not only truly customizing classes but also avoiding photocopy books/exercises using more paper than necessary
- double-sided printing for materials
- every student gets a complimentary eco bag, which is made with 100% recyclable materials. On the bag, it says 'Yo no uso bolsas de plástico'. A way to spread a green message.
- draining the water from our air conditioners to our toilet tanks, so we reuse water for flushing
- implementing a clothing donation bin at school, so for those who are travelling and want to get rid of old clothes, they can donate them rather than throw them away
- using recycled papers, the paper is made of bagasse pulp of sugar cane and selected recycled papers, and it's an Elemental Chlorine Free product
- using mugs, glasses, real utensils - not plastic or foam alternatives
- continual book swap program, where students can exchange their read books for whatever books are in the library

Classes have a young vibe complimented by attentive and thorough professors. They have super discounts for students stayed longer than a week so don't miss out on a chance to learn Spanish and help the environment at the same time!

Check them out: Vamos Spanish Academy

Road2Argentina recommends Send Love BA!


One of Buenos Aires' best study abroad programs, Road 2 Argentina, suggests Send Love BA to students and parents looking for an alternative to sending packages by mail!

http://road2argentina.com/parents-and-advisors-sec-5

Check us out under "Sending something special!"

Study abroad confessions: SAFETY

Just like in any foreign city, tourists, particularly vulnerable American students, need to look out for themselves. Here are specific tips to stay safe in Buenos Aires.


Transportation

Try to always call for a "remis" or "Radio taxi", especially if you are alone. Don’t EVER just get into a taxi cab as a solo female unless you are absolutely fluent and sober. When you call for a taxi, the company assigns a taxi to get you, so the driver is documented and held accountable for his actions.

Check out this article for more taxi information: http://landingpadba.com/taxi-scams/


Around town and in your 'hood

Avoid speaking loudly in English while in public

Try not to carry your laptop around or flash expensive electronics

Stay aware of who is around you and walk confidently

Don't walk on isolated streets late or night or early in the morning, even with a few friends

*Always firmly close the door to your apartment building/house after entering, don't leave the door open even if it will eventually shut itself*


Boys and Men

Argentine guys are more forward and aggressive than American guys, so be prepared. Don’t take any drinks from guys, no matter who they are, unless you watched the drink get poured. To get rid of an annoying creep just remember these few phrases:


"No me toques" - Don't touch me

"Que chamuyero que sos!" - Sarcastic, what a smooth talker! You are calling them out and they will leave.

"Ahora viene mi novio/papa/guarda espaldas" - Here comes my boyfriend/Dad/ body guard


Safety in Numbers

Always make sure you and your friends are looking out for each other and keep track of where everyone is. If you go out in a large group, it is likely that you will split up, but always make sure to have someone you know in sight, and discuss beforehand how you will be going home.


True Emergencies

If you ever have an emergency, CALL THE US EMBASSY! You should memorize their number, and put it in your phone (54-11-5777-4354 from 8am to 5pm, all other hours’ call 54-11-5777-4873). That means that if you are in any situation which might involve the police, danger, or whatever, call the embassy! They are EXTREMELY helpful and have consuls specifically designated to help U.S. citizens abroad.


Trustworthy taxi companies:

Taxi Confianza : 4864 6184

Taxi Barzola: 4636 1306

Pidalo Taxi: 4956-1200

Central Remis: 4964-2000

Amazing Photo Essay by Study Abroad Students in Buenos Aires



Check out this site for amazing travel tips and this sweet photo essay of studying abroad in Buenos Aires!

Matador Travel: http://matadorabroad.com/photo-essay-studying-abroad-in-buenos-aires/

Study abroad confessions: PACKING for Buenos Aires

My program advised that I “pack lightly,” but for me, the words “packing” and “lightly” don’t fit in the same sentence. “How will I know exactly what shoes I will want to wear with each outfit when I go out? I’ll just bring a few heels to choose from.” “Wow! I love this shirt that I just discovered in the back of my closet. I know I’ve never worn it, but maybe I’ll wear it while I’m abroad? Packed.” “Even though I haven’t worn this in over a year, it’s so cute; I just can’t leave it behind!” If any of those thoughts sounds familiar, keep reading.

Bring about half of what you think you need. If you don’t wear it in the states, you won’t wear it here. Bring things that are versatile, comfortable, and easy to match. You definitely want to bring some cute dresses, but focus on bringing the more basic pieces from your wardrobe. Although 5 months is a long time, you don’t need more than 2-3 sets of pajamas (laundry machines exist in South America) . Bring one or two swimsuits, not more. Although Buenos Aires is on the coast, the nearest swimmable beach is a 4-5 hour bus ride away. If you have clothing which is on the verge of its last season (from being too worn out), bring that so you can throw it out at the end of the trip and carry less home. If you will be in Argentina for February, bring enough shorts; it gets HOT. If you plan on arriving at the end of February, you have skipped most of the hot summer season and only need a few things for hot weather. I recommend bringing one large duffle and one large backpacker bag, which will come in handy when traveling through South America. If you think you have too much stuff to fit in just a duffel-bag and a large backpack, then you’re right—you have too much stuff, so take less.

There are certain things from the United States that you will probably miss abroad, and might want to bring with you. The first is pretty well known: peanut butter. It’s hard to find here, and quite expensive. The pens here are very expensive for their poor quality—if you love pilot pens, bring them. Tampons with applicators are scarce and expensive, so unless you really want to get to know yourself better, pack tampons with applicators. Some other missed-items are Reeses peanut butter cups, tootsie pops, microwave popcorn, maple syrup, bagels, and brownies (however your parents can surprise you with a CAREPACKAGE which includes many of those items!).

The glory of a Buenos Aires Winter




Vocabulary

Facturas: pastries
Vaca: cow
Merienda: afternoon snack
Olla: bowl
“Buen Provecho!”: Bon Apetit

It’s all sun and fun until May rolls around, right? There are less and less of those long sunny “hot-child-in-the-city” days and the girls trade in their mini-skirts for tapered jeans. The locals get back to work and the tourists run for warmer pastures. Well, don’t run so fast dear travelers- Buenos Aires has much to offer during those chilly winter months.

So maybe you believe that winter is not the best season for a first-time short visit to Buenos Aires, but for ex-pats, back-packers and those on “sabbatical” it can be quite charming; warm snacks meet off-season prices to create a delicious equation for anyone with enough courage to stay or insufficient funds to travel elsewhere.

Here is a list of local treats that are invariably better when it’s cold out:


1. Coffee!

Having coffee in Buenos Aires is a long-standing tradition that is popular among all generations. While some travelers are more beer oriented, sitting down in one of BA’s million coffee houses is a much better way to experience the local lifestyle. Order a café con leche y dos medialunas, read a book (preferably one by Borges or Cortázar) and people-watch the day away.

Slip into “La Puerto Rico” café at Adolfo Alsina 416 (Downtown) on a cold winter day and take a seat in their warm dining room. This is a historical location in Downtown's Monserrat neighborhood where the original revolutionaries met to discuss the country’s future during colonial times. The café is located by the infamous Colégio Nacional de Buenos Aires and was frequented by passionate students studying and debating politics.

TIP: Keep an eye out for people walking down the street with push-carts full of stainless steel thermoses. These saints are selling coffee (and usually facturas) for about $2 pesos or $0.50 cents. You can ask for you coffee exactly how you like it- and in my opinion, it’s the best cup around.

2. Shopping!

Who comes to buy leather in the summer? If you’re like me, you don’t think getting stuck in a pair of sweaty leather pants or arm-coverings on a hot summer day sounds like fun. Winter is the ideal season to buy leather in Buenos Aires- the prices go down due to fewer tourists (less demand) and nothing keeps your warm like a jacket made from a delicious Argentine vaca.

There are multiple trustworthy leather stores in Palermo (Villa Crespo) on Calle Murillo by the Malabia subte station. Las Pepas is a high-end girly leather shop that also has excellent quality in clothes and accessories. For a less trendy spot, visit the Feria de Mataderos where local and provincial artisans sell leather goods and other regional arts and crafts.

3. Chocolate con churros!

What’s better than a cafe on a chilly winter day? A traditional merienda option known as chocolate con churros. Pronounced, cha-co-la-tay, this hot chocolate is best taken with two or three (or 10) crunchy golden brown dulce-de-leche-filled tubes of pastry goodness pronounced “choo-RRos.” Practice the rolling R and then you will have earned this high calorie snack.

The best place for this warm treat is Confiteria Ideal on Suipacha 380 downtown. This beautiful old tearoom dates back to 1912 and takes you back in time with antique (original) stained glass, marble staircases and waiters in formalwear. Check out the schedule on their website to find out about their tango shows, classes and live music events.


4. Very cool festivals!

Four super important, educational and exciting festivals take place during winter in Buenos Aires: ArteBa, the International Human Rights Film Festival, Ciudad Emergente and the Festival Buenos Aires Tango and Mundial de Tango.

ArteBa 2009 takes place in late May at La Rural. La Sociedad Rural Argentina, or La Rural for short, is both a society and an exhibition center. The society was founded in 1866 under the motto, ‘To cultivate the soil is to serve the country.’ The original members were wealthy landowners who started the tradition of holding agricultural exhibitions in La Rural’s belle époque stadium.

This year will be ArteBa’s 18th annual contemporary art fair and is a great way to spend time indoors learning about Argentina’s hot art scene. Check out this video for a sneak peek, http://www.arteba.org/in/01-feria.htm.

The 10th annual Festival Internacional de Cine de Derechos Humanos, is a very important film festival focused on human rights. Taking place in June at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, this event aims to show social realities that allow for personal reflection on human rights issues.

Ciudad Emergente is a high-energy music festival, ideal for lovers of rock, indie pop and local beats. It may be cold in June, but there’s no better place to warm up during a wild week of concerts.

The best Tango shows of the year take place during this festival which in 2009 falls between the 14th and 31st of August. During the BA Tango Festival, followed by the World Tango Championship, visitors can take part in various classes, shows, fairs and finally an open-air milonga as a closing ceremony.

5. Guiso, locro, puchero! Oh my!

First, lets set the scene; the weather outside is frightful but inside you, your housemates and friends have congregated around a large witches brew. Looking inside the giant olla you spot veggies, meat, pork, beans, rice and pretty much anything that hadn’t already spoiled in the fridge. Guiso, locro and puchero are all names of traditional Argentine stews. Each differs slightly, for example guiso often has rice and lentils while locro generally has beans, which are not common in the Argentine diet. These delicious dishes are steaming hot and unimaginable during sweltering summer months. Dig in with a fresh baguette, have a glass of malbec on the side and don’t forget your manners, “Buen Provecho!”