Sleepless Buenos Aires – Part II

I'm sure you've heard of the Argentinian political figure – Evita Peron – who was portraited in a 1996 musical by the famous singer Madonna. Do you want to know, where she is buried? Head into the maze of the city of dead under the name of La Recoleta Cemetery, where the path will sooner or later take you to her crypt. The cemetery of the famous sons and daughters of Argentina boasts with over 6400 statues, sarcophagus, coffins and crypts. It's the first public horrifically beautiful cemetery with streets paved and surrounded by marvel of the rich people. More than 90 crypts are part of the national historical monuments. Many visitors decide to visit it, mainly because, the grave of Evita. She was the wife of Juan Peron, the former president of Argentina and she was very popular among the poor and less so with the rich. She created a foundation, with the help of which she helped to construct many hospitals, schools and houses for the poor. But she had severe health problems and died of leukaemia at the age of 33. The presence of her power was felt long after her death. For safety reasons of her remains, she was buried in Milano Italy, but after the death of Juan Peron they've returned them to Argentina and buried with honours at the cemetery of La Recoleta. You can find out more about her life and legacy after death from the local guides, who are proud to tell the tales on that topic. Sit on one of the benches, enjoy the moment and a group of tourists will join you and won't mind if you catch some of the explanation provided by their guide. The cemetery is free of charge and open between 8AM and 6PM, with free guided tours in English every Tuesday and Thursday at 11AM. 

Then there are other famous landmarks worth your time and attention. Casa Rosado, the presidential palace, will welcome you with its purple coat and present you the famous balcony where both Juan Peron and his wife Evita had their political speeches. From here you can walk towards the Avenue de Mayo all the way to the Congress square, boasting with a building similar to Capitol in Washington. I'd like to mention an interesting fact, that in Argentina, they measure all distances from this square, where the stone with the mark 0 kilometres stands. From here you can measure how many kilometres away is the Plaza de la Republika, decorated with a 70m tall Obelisk erected in the year 1936, and where the broadest avenue in the world is located. The broad avenue 9 de July is made of 9 driving lanes in one and 10 driving lanes in the other direction. If you don't hurry at the green light, you can get stuck crossing the broad avenue and spend quite a few minutes there. 

 

If you want to avoid bumpy roads, you're invited to go to the most prestigious part of the city, which is the least like Buenos Aires. Puerto Madero is undoubtedly a supreme achievement, for it developed from the industrialized area of the old harbour into the most prestigious part of the city within a span of few years and the real-estate prizes are sky high. You can see the famous shoe shaped bridge, some renovated ships and skyscrapers with the most expensive apartments, hotels and offices of international corporations and more. But if the glitter doesn't appeal to you, you can head to the other side of the city, where green nature will surround you and you can enjoy the excellent food of many restaurants of Palermo. It's a large part of the city, which is divided into Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Alto Palermo, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Chico and Las Cañitas. During the day they offer the relaxed walk and joining with friends at a cup of coffee or a meal in their designed restaurants that should be visited just for their looks. In the evening hours the streets become vivid and lively. Discos, bars and clubs attract the young and young at heart, to enjoy the rhythm of night life and spend another nice evening in the company of their friends. The city also takes care of those who love sports and recreation and not far from Palermo there are great parks for recreation, relaxation and doing sports.

The most famous culinary treat is without a doubt the Argentinian steak, done just the way you like it. The lazy Argentinian cows, with no need to strain themselves, can graze in pastures and are the secret of the great steak that stays tender and juicy. The culinary of Argentina was mostly shaped by migrants from Europe, who brought their tradition in the colonial period. Mostly they originated from Spain and Italy thus their influence is the strongest. You can find pizzerias and bakeries anywhere and they're making Empanados, which are made from bent dough filled by various kinds of meat, cheese, vegetables and even fruit and other goodness. Extremely simple, practical and delicious, they can make your day perfect. They're so good you'd want to put yourselves into the thin dough and get surprised by the first bite. And there is no morning coffee without Media Lune. The bagels shaped as crescents are being baked all the time. There surely is no shortage of bakeries and they clearly indicate Argentinians have a sweet tooth. By entering a pastry shop you make your pick of sweetness making thinking about calories outlawed. This is the moment of weakness that will leave your mouth white in the corners.

 

The Argentinian spunk is most likely connected to the Mate tea they drink in huge amounts. It's a drink boosting people and an antioxidant, that helps the immune system, makes heart stronger and protects the arteries. Traditionally they prepare them in pots called mate and are sipped through a metal straw. The pots are circulated among people and are a symbol of being connected. And naturally – wine, wine and some more wine. »If I'd live in Buenos Aires I'd become an alcoholic!« were the words of a German tourists. Did you know that Argentina is the fifth biggest wine producer in the world? And it's the Spaniards who are responsible for that fact. When the conquistadores arrived in 1557 they brought the vine along with them to this area, which is very potent for vineyards. Next important fact is also that 90% of the wine they produce, the people of Argentina consume themselves, along with the tourists who quickly understand what is good and budget friendly. 

 

I was in Buenos Aires at Christmas time and new year. I've had the movie like new year's eve in the company of nice people, great food and drinks on the terrace of our accommodation, where it was really hard to tell which part was the original house and which one was an addition. The lovely terrace with green, cacti, nice flowers and lamps in shapes of lampions and is a nice retreat among the city hustle, hidden away behind apartment buildings that show the wear and tear of their age, but are also radiating their charm. The energy of nice people of different nationalities created the playful evening full of laughter and interesting stories. A young mother with a three year old daughter who moved from Switzerland to Buenos Aires, a happy and funny German who knows how to make sure the table is full of great food, a passionate dancer in love with tango, an Australian couple on their month long journey around the world, a young miss that never left the capital of Argentina after she first arrived, an elderly gentleman from Paris who came to get high on tango, me and a beautiful Swiss actor who was the icing on the cake, with his charm that made it all the unforgettable evening that will cherish forever.  

 

Become a Buenos Aires native for a few days and call yourself a Porteños (meaning a harbour inhabitant in Spanish). Enjoy every minute of here and now and enjoy the unforgettable experience of South America. There are many great airplane ticket offers to reach the capital, so you'll find one that suits you sooner or later.