It's easy to see why Buenos Aires has the moniker, "Paris of South America." In fact, several of its parks and important buildings were designed by Parisians.
No other major city (greater BA boast of 15 million residents) has allotted so much space to parks, trees and promenades. Its buildings have the majestic air of those in the Marais and statues and art dot the city's unexpected green spaces. As I strolled the cobblestone streets I didn't know whether to hum "LA Vie end Rose" or "Don't Cry for me Argentina."
But BA has successfully married history with modern necessities that actually work- and work well. With its wide avenues (typically 8 lanes or more), clean subways & a vast network of bike lanes, you hardly hear a horn during peak hours.
portenos, the name for the locals, are a lively bunch and are fiercely proud of their traditions- soccer, polo, beef, wine (is it possible to have Malbec at every meal?) and importantly, the tango. Portenos visit late night milangas (tango bars), dancing into the wee hours, long after us tourists are hugging our pillows.
One thing that is odd is the queueing. Years of corruption and a revolving door of leadership has led to wild financial fluctuations. As such, ATMs at local banks only dole out a maximum of 300-600 pesos ($25-50USD) per day. Hence the long lines.
Gotta go- time for lunchtime Malbec. Don't cry for me, Argentina.
But BA has successfully married history with modern necessities that actually work- and work well. With its wide avenues (typically 8 lanes or more), clean subways & a vast network of bike lanes, you hardly hear a horn during peak hours.
portenos, the name for the locals, are a lively bunch and are fiercely proud of their traditions- soccer, polo, beef, wine (is it possible to have Malbec at every meal?) and importantly, the tango. Portenos visit late night milangas (tango bars), dancing into the wee hours, long after us tourists are hugging our pillows.
One thing that is odd is the queueing. Years of corruption and a revolving door of leadership has led to wild financial fluctuations. As such, ATMs at local banks only dole out a maximum of 300-600 pesos ($25-50USD) per day. Hence the long lines.
Gotta go- time for lunchtime Malbec. Don't cry for me, Argentina.
