Walk down the main pedestrian streets in BA, and you won’t go far before you see a tango troupe. Usually a couple of guys and a girl, and they carry an old stereo. Without warning, the music starts, and a couple take to the floor. You will see countless such displays in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina’s lively capital and a place where it’s very easy to believe you’re still in Europe. The architecture, the shops and the temperature could easily be Madrid or Barcelona. Yet this is certainly Argentina, and it is one of my favourite cities.
A stroll through any of the city’s central areas will provide you with a unique experience. San Telmo with its bohemian antique-filled streets; La Boca with the colourful houses and ubiquitous dancers; and Puerto Madero with its stunning modern buildings and flashy marina. Many people stopped to talk, there is a welcome for visitors that other countries only offer in less populated areas. And the food (and especially the ice cream!) were top quality and very cheap. Having been brought up on British beef, I would not have recognised what was put on my plate as steak. The meat melted in the mouth, was so full of flavour, and had a perfect texture. Was this really beef??
A great city to hang out for a few days, and some decent day trips nearby make this a great base for a South America trip. Just don’t forget the dancing shoes!
(Apr 2007)
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