Buenos Aires

No more lying around!

After one month of cumbia, it was high time to pack the stuff and see something else. Ever since the first weekend, I've been craving to go back. My friend Theresa also wanted to go so we decided to go together. Also, while living in the hostel (by the way we found a flat, I tell you later more!) I got to know many people of capital. Hopefully I could also see them.

I was supposed to surf a bit in the morning, so I set the alarm at 6:30. I woke up and look outside, it's pouring and freezing anyway. Noup, not today. Some hours later we were already in the bus heading to the Buenos Aires. It takes only 5 hours to get there and a one way ticket cost around 20€ (AR$89 - AR$120). You can choose ejecutivo, semicama or cama. Just pick the cheapest one, they’re comfy anyway. Really, 5 hours is a short trip with these busses.

The bus

Finally we get there and find the flat. At first we were supposed to sleep in a dorm, but a friend of mine invite us to stay in her flat. (You have to see the Argentines, I think they're one friendliest you'll find anywhere!) After a small chat, we return to the Centrum. A demonstration is about to begin and we're going to join. This one is about free media. To sum up, the government controls all forms of media. Google if you are curious. For that matter there's something going on almost every day. However, some of the demonstrations can be bit hazardous for tourists Beware.

On Friday we're just wandering around the Centrum. I'm not so into the sights. However, when visiting in the capital, of course you have to see the Obelisco, Plaza de Mayo and Puerto Madeiro. Hehe notice my outfit, at least I took all of it.:) In the Microcentro it's quite hard to imagine being in South America.

And then the parties.. There's a lot!:) They say there's always a splendid party for you, regardless of your genre, all year around. Knowing the one-third-size Berlin, I have no doubt. Maybe in December I can say something comprehensive, thought here's the experience of the nights.

Already the first night out was a quite cultural shock. The friend of our host was DJing in a club in Palermo and we decided to check it out. The place was called Niceto and the Thursday nights were supposed to be something special. And it sure did.. We were received by and half naked Chaplin, playing a mime with bright silver boxers. Later on they brought some samba girls, fat drags and break dancers! I didn't know what to think but the people seemed to consider it funny. And the Djs were really good so what a heck, why not. :D

Niceto

Niceto (BsAs) 15.4.2010 from Anssi Nurmi on Vimeo.

On Friday there was a nice local gig. The band was called Michael Mike. I didn't know anything about the band before but the locals thought it's quite famous. They play electronic music with quite interesting setup: a DJ/VJ, 2 keyboardists, 2 drummers and a vocalist/ guitarist. The set was everything between rock, rap and and dupstep. Also bit hard to explane but check it out!

The last evening we spent in san telmo with the old friends from the Mar del Plata. The rock nacional (Argentinean rock) is really not my thing but the evening was great, thanks if you reading this! :)

Buenos Aires has also the flip side. It's a huge metropolitan and, like said before, Argentina went trough a deep economic crisis in 2002. Even thought they invest a lot of money to the capital, you don't have to go far away from the Centrum to see the poverty and the pollution. However, it's amazing city with a zillions of things to do and to see.

On Saturday we hanged out in Recoleta with my Columbian friends and on Sunday wandered around La Boca and San Telmo. They were all really nice, but to be honest, you would nee a lot more time. I defenitly will come back!:) Here are some fotos of the rest of the weekend:

The delicious bus meal..

Chau
Anssi