{"id":211,"date":"2011-08-03T01:09:52","date_gmt":"2011-08-03T01:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spanishinba.wordpress.com\/?p=211"},"modified":"2011-08-03T01:09:52","modified_gmt":"2011-08-03T01:09:52","slug":"stay-in-buenos-aires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/stay-in-buenos-aires\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay in Buenos Aires!"},"content":{"rendered":"

20 Things You Wouldn\u2019t Expect to do in Buenos Aires<\/h1>\n
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Buenos Aires. Meaty Mecca for overdosing on chargrilled cow. The capital of mate<\/a>, of the mullet, and of dancing to the most melancholy music in the world. The only city in the world where staring at strangers, joining a picket line, feasting at midnight, multiple dog walking, drumming up drama, weekly therapy, and cheat nights (that would be Thursday) are the norm.<\/p>\n

So, what other surprises could possibly be hidden within the city that never even naps, let alone sleeps?<\/p>\n

Want to dance to an Hasidic Jew electro outfit, learn aerial combat or ride a lion? These activities will make your friends stutter \u201cYou did what?!\u201d when you tell them about your time in the capital of Argentina.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
\nThe Barmitzmidis \u2013 Holy Moses, this isn\u2019t like going to temple!
\nPhoto by Franca Salerno<\/a> on Flickr<\/em><\/p>\n

SURREAL SESSIONS<\/h2>\n

 
\nESKIMO KISS A TIGER<\/strong>
\nFancy rubbing noses with a predator (and I\u2019m not just talking about the Argentine men)? A world away from the giraffes overlooking Buenos Aires Zoo<\/a> is the controversial Luj\u00e1n Zoo, where you can hang out with performing monkeys and, yes\u2026 ride a lion. Hmm. More animal-friendly is wildlife zoo Parque Temaik\u00e9n<\/a> where pygmy hippos, white tigers and meerkats roam freely around natural enclosures. And who doesn\u2019t love a meerkat?<\/p>\n

PRE-RETOX DETOX AT BOOT CAMP<\/strong>
\nBA late nights are stamina-testing but not as hardcore as Boot Camp<\/a> \u2013 intense personal fitness training, US style. I took a couple of visitors there fresh from a gay club at 10am, and watched as they questioned owner Katrina: \u201cHas anyone been sick? Oh god, I\u2019m going to be the first to be sick!\u201d They weren\u2019t \u2013 but after admiring her toned bum, they did both question if they might actually be straight.<\/p>\n

TELL TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED<\/strong>
\nLet it all out at Second Story<\/a> \u2013 these spoken word nights held at non-profit arts organization JuaneleAR<\/a> have included themes such as \u2018Stalker\u2019 and \u2018Secret and Lies\u2019. If the thought of public speaking makes you sweat more than an hour of Boot Camp would, attend a monthly workshop. We all love an over-sharer.<\/p>\n

FLY LIKE A SUPERHERO<\/strong>
\nHurl yourself through the air with aerial theatre, dance choreography and intensive stunt courses at Cuerda Producciones School<\/a> \u2013 the guys behind Fuerza Bruta<\/a> and De La Guarda<\/a> team. They specialise in superhuman fight sequences \u2013 and who doesn\u2019t want to run up walls? Next thing, we\u2019ll all be kissing upside down.<\/p>\n

\"Fight<\/a>
\nFight or Flight \u2013 how about both?
\nPhoto by Cuerda Producciones School<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

BIZARRE BOUTIQUES & TRIPPY SHOPPING TRIPS<\/h2>\n

 
\nWRAP YOUR TOES IN TRIPE<\/strong>
\nCan man live on steak alone? The offal truth is that he can (sorry!) Argentine designer Chicco Ruiz<\/a> designs one-off handmade shoes, including beautiful ballet pumps and platform shoes from stomach lining (cows obviously, not humans).<\/p>\n

SNIFF BORGES<\/strong>
\nWant to imagine you\u2019re in Patagonia with Darwin circa 1832? You can in Palermo Viejo\u2019s Fueguia<\/a>, a serene scent laboratory and tribute to naturalists and writers. Flare your nostrils at 100+ nature identicals from rose to rum and design your own fragrance. You too can have your place smell like a gaucho\u2019s pub with a \u2018Pulper\u00eda\u2019 candle; or go for \u2018Borges\u2019 \u2013 leather and paper have never smelt so divine.<\/p>\n

\"Fuegia\"<\/a>
\nCome into my laboratory, you know it makes scents
\nPhoto by Lisa Goldapple<\/em><\/p>\n

INHERIT SOME RETRO<\/strong>
\nStep back in time in San Telmo\u2019s La Herencia (Santa Fe 1216). Sift through collectors toys, tin boxes, old books and comics to find Spice Girls dolls, Spiderman figurines, a rare misprinted Goldfinger soundtrack (misprinted as Dedos de Oro<\/em> \u2013 Goldfingers) or a reminder of that incredible Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer collaboration.<\/p>\n

KITSCH-HUNT<\/strong>
\nFor an alternative to Feria de San Telmo, hit Caballito\u2019s big flea market, Feria Parque Centenario<\/a>, for a mix of true vintage and comedy trash. Circle the park and dip in, allowing the bizarre local rock bands to provide the soundtrack to your second-hand shop (you might wish they weren\u2019t).<\/p>\n

STRANGE SIGHTS<\/h2>\n

 
\nVISIT A BEATLES MUSEUM<\/strong>
\n\u2018Los Beatles\u2019 have their own museum<\/a>. It houses the largest collection of Fab Four memorabilia in the world \u2013 including a brick from The Cavern Club, an adjustable wig, and condoms (unused) with John\u2019s and Yoko\u2019s names.<\/p>\n

WITNESS THE RESURRECTION \u2013 AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE<\/strong>
\nFervent believers and godless heathens can pat a donkey at the kitsch Tierra Santa<\/a>, a theme park mock-up of the Holy Land located on the Costanera Norte \u2013 where else can you see a 60ft Jesus resurrect every half hour?<\/p>\n

\"Tierra<\/a>
\nTierra Santa \u2013 it\u2019s what Jesus would have wanted
\nPhoto by Michael Ahillen<\/a> on Flickr<\/em><\/p>\n

LOOK FOR LIZARDS<\/strong>
\n\u2026 and snakes and toads at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve<\/a>. Embrace your inner twitcher with some innocent bird-watching. For a more porte\u00f1o activity, shout piropos<\/em> (sleazy chat-up lines) at another type of bird.<\/p>\n

CHEER ON A LEGENDARY TEAM IN THEIR DARKEST HOUR<\/strong>
\nArgentina\u2019s most successful football team River Plate<\/a> has reached an unprecedented low: they\u2019ve been relegated from the top division for the first time in their 102-year history. Show your solidarity as they take on Nacional B teams like Boca Unidos \u2013 the closest River will come to a Supercl\u00e1sico (derby match) for a while.<\/p>\n

DINE DIFFERENTLY<\/h2>\n

 
\nGO VEGAN<\/strong>
\nNo Carne-val<\/a> here. Go against the grain by\u2026 eating grain. At Siempre Verde<\/a> you\u2019ll often find yourself sharing the space with Buddhist monks, while the all-you-can-eat Spring<\/a>, cute Arevalito<\/a>, hippie dippy Krishna<\/a> and closed door restaurant Jueves a la Mesa<\/a> are flesh and fowl-free zones.<\/p>\n

BRING HOME THE REAL BACON<\/strong>
\nPartial to a sublime slice of porky product? Baines Best Bacon<\/a> deliver American style streaky bacon \u2013 not Argentina\u2019s thin tasteless pancetta \u2013 to your door. For info mail heath@vingt-cinq.com.ar<\/a>. In BA you can get everything delivered \u2013 from a bagel via QuieroBagel.com<\/a> to a BK Whopper to a pack of condoms from badelivery.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FEEL THE HEAT \u2013 AND DO IT ANYWAY<\/strong>
\nFor a country known for its fiery temperament, it\u2019s shocking that Argentines don\u2019t do picante<\/em> food \u2013 even shying away from pimienta negra<\/em>. However, it does exist. Check my previous post<\/a> for spicy secrets.<\/p>\n

TAKE HIGH TEA<\/strong>
\nExtend your pinky finger round an Earl Grey and posh nosh on some scones at Recoleta\u2019s decadent Alvear Palace Hotel<\/a>, timeless Art Deco restaurant Las Violetas<\/a> or in the Library Lounge at designer\u2019s dream Faena Hotel<\/a>. I still want to know what Argentina does with the miga<\/em> sandwich crusts.<\/p>\n

\"Alvear\"<\/a>
\nTea at the Alvear Palace Hotel \u2013 no mate, no<\/em> bombilla straw necessary
\nPhoto by Remy Scalza<\/a> on Flickr<\/em><\/p>\n

UNPREDICTABLE NIGHTS<\/h2>\n

 
\nDANCE TO AN ELECTRO \u2018HAVA NAGILA\u2019<\/strong>
\nGypsy electronica and Eastern European beats come to Buenos Aires every few months in the form of boisterous Balkan party Fiesta Bubamara<\/a>. Do-si-do along to Hasidic Jew electro outfit \u2018The Barmitzmidis\u2019 at changing venues around the city.<\/p>\n

TRAIN YOUR BRAIN WITH AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE PUB QUIZ<\/strong>
\nGet the blood flowing back into your brain at one of the city\u2019s monthly pub quiz nights. The locals also love it \u2013 even if they find the concept of going to an \u2018exam\u2019 confusing. Challenge yourself at the Buenos Aires Pub Quiz<\/a> and Beer Lingual<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PUT A NEW SPIN ON ARGENTINE DANCE<\/strong>
\nDance same-sex tango at La Marshall<\/a>. At the longest-running and most popular gay milonga<\/em>, men dance cheek-to-cheek and straight women show off their fancy footwork away from the staring men \u2013 in the first Latin American country to legalise civil unions.<\/p>\n

GET FRISKY IN A 5 STAR SEX HOTEL<\/strong>
\nSex hotels or telos<\/em> are big business in Argentina and are generally tacky affairs (literally); but one isn\u2019t \u2013 Hotel Dissors<\/a>. Choose a two- or four-hour turno<\/em> \u2013 or an overnight pernocte<\/em> if you\u2019re up to it.<\/p>\n

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20 Things You Wouldn\u2019t Expect to do in Buenos Aires Buenos Aires. Meaty Mecca for overdosing on chargrilled cow. The capital of mate, of the mullet, and of dancing to the most melancholy music in the world. The only city in the world where staring at strangers, joining a picket line, feasting at midnight, multiple […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feedbacks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.giselagiunti.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}