So What’s Buenos Aires Like?
Posted on 22. Jan, 2012 by Steph in Destinations, South America
Unlike a lot of place I go, I know quite a bit about Buenos Aires already. This is in part because of my childhood obsession with Evita (I love Andrew Lloyd Webber and I’m not ashamed!) but mostly because my handsome Argentinean-American boyfriend has not shut up about the place since we met.
At least he's cute right?
This city is his second home, and he is incredibly eager to share it with me. According to Michael, Argentina has the very best steak, the best nightlife, the best ice cream and the best looking girls. I can’t say for sure yet about any of those things, but after a week in town, I do have some impressions:
It’s HOT
I know we were arriving right in the middle of summer but damn you guys. Apartment hunting in 100 degree heat is brutal and the subway is like a toaster. As a result we haven’t really done much sightseeing yet- we’ve spent a lot of time laying like dead fish in front of the AC.
By the way, I’ve also noticed that if you complain about the heat to your friends back in the dead of winter at home, they don’t have much sympathy for the fact your face is melting off.
The Food is Epic
After the very repetitive menus of roast chicken, rice and beans up north in Ecuador and Colombia, Argentinean food is a real treat. I’m sure I’ll go on about it at length as a later date but my first week here I’ve gorged myself on empanadas, pizza, pastries and of course, steak. When I left Ecuador I had to buy a bikini because my old one was finally too big, now if I get out of this country weighing less than 300 pounds it will be a miracle.
Sophisticated People
photo credit: -just-jen-
The people here, as well as the atmosphere feels very much more European than South America. Everyone is super classy looking, stylish and THIN (which is a little puzzling considering what I wrote above). It’s just an entirely different vibe.
Ice Cream!
Mike didn’t lie on this one- the ice cream here is freaking amazing. And they sell it in giant liter tubs, for maximum pig-out-ossity. Dulce de Leche is of course a major favorite but there are crazy flavors too like Pineapple Champagne.
Evita
They really do love Evita here! It’s just like I imagined. I’ve had don’t cry for me Argentina stuck in my head all week, much to the annoyance of one Argentinian-American boy I know.
Shallow yes, but the good news is that after a week of running all over town, we’ve finally settled on a pretty sweet (11th floor! Inside BBQ!) apartment and rented it for the next two months. So prepare yourself for a slew of Buenos Aires articles!
20 Responses to “So What’s Buenos Aires Like?”
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Sabrina
22. Jan, 2012
Mi buenos Aires querido!!!!!!! Hermosa ciudad!!!!!
Stephanie - The Travel Chica
22. Jan, 2012
Sounds very similar to my first impressions of the city
And yes, I did learn that friends don’t care that your face is melting off when they are dealing with icy roads back home.
Disfrutas!
Audrey
22. Jan, 2012
We spent two months in Buenos Aires at the beginning of 2010 and one of my favorite aspects of the city were the cafes. Loved the quality of coffee and how they always served coffee with little treats.
I have to admit that I got tired of pizza, empanadas and steak after a couple of weeks and found myself stocking up on spices in the small Chinatown. But, I never got tired of Argentina’s wine
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
22. Jan, 2012
One of the greatest cities in the world. Enjoy every single second!!!
Terri
22. Jan, 2012
I’ll be there in April, so thanks for the preview.
Ana O'Reilly
22. Jan, 2012
Have fun and enjoy this great city! I’m homesick now
Waegook Tom
22. Jan, 2012
This sounds awesome Steph – Buenos Aires is a place I’ve always wanted to go to, so super jealous that you’re there haha (also zero sympathy about the heat during this European winter!) but I’m excited to read about your and Mike’s adventures in the city over the next couple of months
And damn that food…it sounds AMAZING. I share your fear when it comes to Argentina – I’d have to fly out in the cargo hold of the plane.
But yes yes yes to lots of pictures of food. There are never too many pictures of steak online. NEVER.
Sally
22. Jan, 2012
You just HAD to post that photo of the pizza, didn’t you? Don’t you remember what life is like in Asia where you have to sell your soul for cheese? Sheez. And now I’m going to be walking around all day wanting cheese. (Not that this is hugely different from most days… but the want will be a little more intense today.) Thank you very much.
Steph
23. Jan, 2012
The horrible horrible irony is that I would like nothing better than some legit Chinese food now. Life is cruel.
Antoinette B.
22. Jan, 2012
I can’t wait to hear more about Buenos Aires and/or Argentina! Planning to take some time off from work to be fluent with my Spanish over there! Looking forward to your future posts!
Ayngelina
22. Jan, 2012
Nice I see you went to Siga La Vaca, love it there.
Oh and yes I left there 10 lbs heavier.
Christine
23. Jan, 2012
Ahhhhh Buenos Aires is so high on my list! Supposed to be super European…aka everyone thinks I would love it. Keen to go and live and learn Spanish there…we’ll see
Enjoy!!!
Kim
23. Jan, 2012
Buenos Aires has been #1 on my “To-See” list for quite some time. It sounds absolutely amazing…I cannot wait to visit one day! Looking forward to reading more of your posts about this awesome city!
Jenn's soft serve ice cream truck
23. Jan, 2012
Also Argentina are passionate about football. Diego Maradona is one of their icon besides Evita.
The World Wanderer
23. Jan, 2012
Sounds amazing! Hoping I can get here sometime soon! This is more motivation to make it a reality!
Runaway Brit
23. Jan, 2012
I’d love to go back to Buenos Aires in the summer, it was damn cold when I was there in September! I imagine that the parks are beautiful when you can sit out and enjoy them. I’d also kill for an Argentinian empanada, they are terrible in the rest of South America!
Enjoy the city
Erin
24. Jan, 2012
Sounds great! Argentina is at the top of my South-America-travel-wish-list… But I think I’ll wait until winter. Thanks for the heads-up!
Cynthia
25. Jan, 2012
Buenos Aires, one of my favourites cities so far. I’ve been there 4 times and if I could I would go more. Enjoy your time there!
Daniela
25. Jan, 2012
I am a young 20-something working on planning a solo trip to BsAs this summer. I am nervous about it but I am so excited that I found your blog and I will be reading it regularly! There is so much to consider, hopefully this will help
Hope you are having a great time! 
Vivian
26. Jan, 2012
Ohmygod I am so happy I stumbled across this article. Serendipity does exist! I have been obsessed with visiting Buenos Aires for the longest time. I am very much looking forward to your future posts on BsAs!