Craig and Sal Go Global

Buenos Aires

June 13, 2012

We’ve spent the last four days in Buenos Aires. While neither of us fell in love with the city, we did still enjoy our time there.

It’s fair to say that our first impression of Buenos Aires was tainted. 10 minutes into our first walk around the city, we were approached suddenly by two men coming from opposite directions who grabbed my arm and started demanding money. These men definitely weren’t beggars so we started yelling at them and I managed to break their grip and get away. A scary introduction to the streets of BA! We also fell into some tourist traps in the form of an overpriced tango show (akin to an Argentinian version of the “Te Māori Experience” type shows in NZ) and Caminito St, a colourful area in La Boca where the souvenir shops, tourist-tango and paid photo-ops are laid on thick.

However, we also had lots of more positive experiences and good company in BA. It was certainly a city with a lot of character with an interesting mix of European and Latin American influence. Below are a selection of photos:

Avenida 9 de Julio is a street in the middle of BA which is a massive 110 metres wide, with about 18 lanes

13 1 Avenida 9 de Julio

The city was noticeably more grungy than Santiago and Mendoza

13 2 Basketball court, San Telmo, BA

We couldn’t go to Argentina without dining at a parilla (steakhouse)

13 3 Parilla La Cabrera, Palermo, BA

Some Knittiti (knitted graffiti) in Palermo (a trendy suburb, also a popular tourist spot)

13 4 Knittiti in Palermo, BA

Caminito St, the aforementioned tourist trap in La Boca

13 5 Caminito St, La Boca, BA

13 6 Houses in Caminito St, La Boca, BA

Confiteria Ideal is one of Buenos Aires’ 60 “bares notables”, or heritage coffee shops. Order the Submarino and you’ll get a glass of hot milk with some dark chocolate bars to make a delicious hot chocolate.

13 7 Confiteria Ideal, BA

Empanadas, cerveza (beer) and pizza made for a tasty dinner

13 8 Dinner at La Continental, BA

We’re now heading to Iguazu Falls on another overnight bus– this one is a record journey for us both at 17 hours driving time! We’re really looking forward to seeing the falls, hopefully we’ll have some great photos for our next post.

Comments from WordPress

  • Shannan Shannan 2012-06-14T01:23:49Z

    I LOVE EMPANADAS!! Try Paso de los Toros or Inka Kola when you can! Refreshing :o)

  • Enomec Nz Enomec Nz 2012-06-14T03:34:50Z

    Enjoying the photos and updates - besides that dodgy encounter – glad all is going well.

    18 lanes is crazy, the graffiti was cool and the food looks amazing!

    Mmm…wood fired steak and melted chocolate drink :P

  • Alice Alice 2012-06-14T06:58:03Z

    Also gotta say, I LOVE empanadas too! My grandma from Chile used to make them when we were kids, we called them “moons”. They remind me a little of cornish pasties. Sorry to hear about your scary experience! I wonder, do you or Sal have any scungier clothes for wearing in big cities like this?? They might help you to not attract so much attention?? xxxx big love

  • Leonie Leonie 2012-06-14T09:09:51Z

    Great stories guys.

    My sister did Iguazu Falls and went on both the Brazil and the Argentina sides - she said it was definatly worth doing both. Also, there was a bit (I don’t remember where) where they walked down towards a pool. Others weren’t so keen as they didn’t want to walk back up again, but being young fit things Kerry and her friend went down. Apparently was well worth it as not so many others around.

    Looking forward to more stories - enjoy :)

  • Alice Alice 2012-06-14T19:54:28Z

    zomg terrifying! I think I will never leave Wellington.

  • Leanne Leanne 2012-06-14T20:59:57Z

    10minute mugging? that has to be some kind of record! I’m glad it didn’t taint BA too much for you. I love the knititi - although it does look more crochet to me (hehe) I love how colourful everything is and the food looks awesome :-) Thanks for sharing. I look forward to more adventure stories and photos!

  • Gary Gary 2012-06-17T01:37:48Z

    Finally getting around to catching up with all your adventures - and wow you’ve had quite a few already! Stay safe and keep posting the pics. Winter has hit Porirua big time…brrr…

Craig and Sally

Written by Craig Drayton and Sally Robertson