#portenos

If You Suffer from Low Self Esteem, Don’t Go to Buenos Aires

Got architecture? Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires may be known for its tango, steakhouses and European vibe, but in my book there’s something else that embodies it more than any of these.

The people, simply put, are the best-looking on Earth.

This description applies to a disproportionate percentage of the local population – both male and female, leaving one to wonder if they’re visiting a…

I’ve decided to take a night off of the crazy Argentine life-style to sit and reflect the past 8 days that I’ve been in Buenos Aires. Life has been INSANE since moving here and I’m not even sure where to begin.

I’ll start with my host family. I was very nervous to meet my host mother and didn’t really know  what to expect. The first thing Helena said to me when we met was “why do you have so many bags?” followed by a ton of other things that I didn’t understand (in spanish of course). Helena is a very sweet older woman who lives alone and has a 6 bedroom apartment that she usually rents out to students studying in Buenos Aires. After settling in and getting everything in my room, I met my roommate Rachel who is from Chicago who I actually have a lot in common with. We actually have 4 other girls living in the house which makes 6 girls total and one bathroom to share… :D Helena knows some english but never wants to speak it so we will grow accustomed to speaking spanish (one of my favorite but most challenging aspects of this trip). She speaks very fast spanish to me but every day I catch myself understanding her more and more. However, I have found that smiling and giggling is my best friend here when I don’t understand what she is saying to me (or anyone else).

I have been on many excursions in the past few days but instead of explaining each and every one, i’d rather give observations of my time in Buenos Aires so far.

1.) You will grow accustomed to kissing people on the cheek (even strangers)

This is probably one of my favorite things about the culture of Argentina. Whenever you meet someone instead of shaking hands or just saying your name, you kiss them on the cheek! I love this because it’s a total breaking of the awkwardness/formality of a handshake. I’m a very affectionate person so this isn’t something I find uncomfortable at all. (Plus it’s a bonus whenever you’re meeting a cute guy for the first time! )

2. People here are more family orientated than Americans

I eat dinner every night at 9 with my host mother and roommates at the table, something I haven’t done in America since I was younger with the exception of holidays. I love the way Argentines value family and their time together. They aren’t in a rush here, they talk to each other for over an hour and spend genuine time with each other.

3. I’m learning to trust myself

I have never been alone in a foreign country before now. I’ve always had family or friends or someone I knew to experience this with me. Although I have awesome friends in my program, I actually like exploring the city alone and fending for myself. I like having my life in my own hands. It’s different.  Not only have I found out what my limits are, but i’ve learned also to face my fears, develop new skills and the end I think I will come back being more resourceful, adaptable and mature.

4.) I have learned what it feels like to be a foreigner and not speak the language.

So often I hear Americans critisizing Mexicans (or any other immigrants) who don’t speak our language. They say “why are you here if you can’t speak the language, learn to speak english or get out”. But after being that girl lost in the street completely clueless with not so good spanish, you learn to put things in perspective. Suddenly, I’m that foreigner who is afraid to ask for help because I might be laughed at, or get dirty looks. I wish that everyone who is critical to immigrants could experience what I have in the past week.

5.) I am finding out to be the point of studying abroad — to learn to love a country other than your own

I have learned that people do things differently than we do in America, and they are genuinely happy. It’s something that I’m really happy I’ve realized.  Time is viewed as a sequence of events instead of blocks of time. So when you finish one thing, at whatever time that is, you go to the next one instead of living life as a series of stressful hours. It’s enlightening and might extend your life. I really love it!

    There is so much to catch you guys up on.. (fighting with bus drivers, dancing until 7 am, 1$ whiskey coke, and dancing til my feet bleed) but those are stories for another day… :)

Enjoy Paris of South America through the eyes of Ari, the first dopios in Buenos Aires, who gave us a wonderful interview with tips and juicy information! 

1. How would you describe Buenos Aires in 3 words? 

Energetic, Gigantic, Contrast. 

2. What is your favorite spot in town? 

Many people use to forget with time that Buenos Aires is a huge Port city, where the connection to the river's front is changing every year. Making your way to the coastline will transport you out of all the fuzz of this big capital into an area of distraction and calmness. Watching the world's widest river how it moves and how it gently sings. You may go to the east across an ecological reserve or to the north to experience an artistic park facing the water. Best time to be there is during the sunset, of course.

3. How would you describe a perfect night in Buenos Aires? 

Porteños(citizens of Buenos Aires are ) in general consider as night owls, so every perfect night starts later than you think. Get dress casual but nice and head to Palermo neighborhood, 1 or 2 blocks outside of Plaza Serrano you will find a great diversity of restaurants. Take a walk afterwards to enjoy the area and scan for a pub with a terrace to keep enjoying life as it fullest.

4. What advice would you give to travelers visiting Buenos Aires? 

If you are making a checklist of places to visit, leave one or two days to let the city surprise you with the largest cultural events and activities in Argentina. Google or/and ask locals what's new during the days you're visiting. Walking is the best way to explore this city, take a bottle of water during summer season. The city has 48 neighborhoods and off the beaten track you can fall in love with Buenos Aires. And do not forget the Argentinean Financial situation when you're thinking of taking cash or card.

5. Can you tell us a secret of the city? 

Not many tourist know but all travelers can get the free bicycle rentals from the City. You can use it throughout the day, making checkpoints every one hour to extend the free rentals. Signing up is very easy, get a photocopy of your passport and sign a lease of responsibilities and off you go! Discover Buenos Aires in a sporty way, it will make the city much more achievable to visit.

This video is hilarious. This guy, Dustin Luke, is an American with a perfect Argentinian accent and it's impressive considering both his parents are American. Everything he says in this video is so spot-on Argentinian, with phrases like che boludo (like hey dude) and la gran concha de tu hermana (an insult), tranqui (an abbreviated version of tranquil), chamullero (a sweet-talker), complete with the hand gestures and ever-present cup of mate.