Category: Juliet in Buenos Aires

Fun For Free

Published on by Juliet ELeave a comment

One thing I will never say no to? A free activity. And luckily for me, Buenos Aires is home to lots of them. As a currently unemployed college student, I am doing everything I can to keep a budget during my exchange experience. I don’t want to return home to the US completely broke. But I also want to enjoy myself thoroughly while I’m here. It’s certainly a balancing act, but it’s much easier to find free fun than you would think.

Not an art person? Okay, weird, but the city has something for everyone. There are several artisanal fairs scattered across the city, usually on specific days of the week. Obviously, these are only free if you don’t buy anything, but it’s a lot of fun to jus browse through all the displays of shiny things. And you might discover something new! The other day I was meandering through the little tents in Plaza Francia when I stumbled upon the (free) Centro Cultural Recoleta, which offered an eclectic amalgamation of local art exhibits, workspaces, and a beatboxing competition. It was the highlight of my day.

When I’m not feeling up for a real activity, I like to lounge in a park near my apartment. There are several grassy parks in my area where you can find locals reading, sunbathing, and drinking mate. I’d also suggest visiting the Plaza de Mayo downtown, where you can walk through the government’s Casa Rosada and probably catch other tourists looking very touristy.

Finally, something I’ve been doing a lot here is taking my own walking tours through the city. I’m sure there are free guided tours available, but I prefer my own pace. Every neighborhood in Buenos Aires has its own energy, and I love being able to pause to windowshop or inspect the street art I see so often, from graffiti to intricate murals. 

Street art in Barrio Chino

Of course, there are activities here I will absolutely drop my money on, but fun doesn’t always equal $$$. At the end of the day, a good time is even more rewarding when I don’t ever have to open my wallet. (I think I’m starting to sound like my parents.)

After-School Snacks

Published on by Juliet ELeave a comment

I’m proud to say I am quickly adapting to life in Buenos Aires. I’m getting to know my host mom, learning to navigate without Google Maps, and settling into another semester of school. I am taking four courses at three different universities: one at Universidad del Salvador, another at Universidad de Buenos Aires, and two taught by my study abroad program’s affiliated professors. Because these courses only meet once a week, I only have class two days a week. As one of my friends observed, I’ve inverted the regular week because my weekends are now five days long! I don’t know what I’m going to do with all this time on my hands; I guess I’ll have to truly take advantage of city life. 

And I feel there’s no better way to experience a new place than through its food. I’ve been spending much of my time off in Buenos Aires’ many cafés. You can’t walk a block here without coming across a cozy little spot serving delicious $1 coffees and pastries. Most are open late, and you’ll often find older couples or families enjoying an evening cafecito together. I’ve realized that it’s absolutely imperative to eat something between lunch and dinner here, since Argentine lunch is small and their dinners often don’t start until 10 pm. So I looked to the locals and have been hitting a new cafe most evenings to make sure I don’t starve. 

A Buenos Aires staple: helado! Possibly the best ice cream I’ve ever had.

The other melas I’ve had here have been pretty… okay. I’m used to well-seasoned spicy food, which is not Argentina’s jam. The pasta is incredible, the meat is amazing, but other dishes I’ve tasted have just missed the mark. Quitting hot sauce cold-turkey has been difficult. But Argentina’s dishes make up for their lack of seasoning with their quality. For example, I picked up a head of lettuce at the grocery store and have been munching on it like candy. America, listen up: lettuce doesn’t have to taste like tap water! 

The other night after class – evening courses are extremely common here – I went out to eat with some classmates. We met up at a burger place with some Argentine friends of one of my classmates. (Note: America does burgers better, but Argentina definitely does beef better, so no complaints.) I have to admit I was nervous to meet locals; what if my Spanish wasn’t good enough? But I’d made a pact with myself to play “yes man” while studying abroad, because the last thing I want is to leave with regrets. So along I went, and when I realized no one was judging my language skills, I slipped comfortably into Spanish mode. Afterwards, we played pool and I went home late, very full and very happy.

There are a million and one things to do in this beautiful city, but one thing every porteño can agree on is: first, we eat. With every meal I try here, I’m learning more about Argentina’s cultural customs and values. If I’m lucky, I’ll leave the table with new friends, new stories, and a richer understanding of Argentine life.