Our visit to Argentina: Buenos Aires

Oh, what an adventure it was! Two weeks in Argentina from March 23 to April 4, 2023, exploring its wonders and indulging in the finest experiences the country has to offer. Our journey began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, where we stayed in a cozy ABnB in the heart of the city.

It was a great start to our visit to Argentina when we saw the accommodation that had been arranged by Amit. “Airbnb in Recoleta on Avenida Callao” was truly a gem of a find. The apartment was spacious, elegantly decorated, and had all the amenities we could possibly need. Located in the heart of Recoleta, one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, we were within walking distance to some of the city’s best attractions and restaurants.

One of the highlights of the apartment was the balcony, which offered stunning views of the city skyline and the bustling Avenida Callao below. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening.

The location of the Airbnb was perfect, with some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, and shops just steps away.

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, and we found the people to be friendly and welcoming. Brett took us to the office where he has been doing consulting work – most of it remotely – and we were warmly welcomed by his colleagues to Argentina.

Brett and Amit’s proficiency in Spanish definitely came in handy, as we were able to communicate with locals and navigate the city more easily. We found that the locals appreciated the efforts to speak Spanish, and it made our interactions with them more enjoyable – in fact, a several locals commented on Amit’s accent not being that of the usual gringo!

Regarding the economy, we were aware that Argentina was facing some challenges, including high inflation rates which was close to 100% annually. It was a conversation piece with Uber drivers who appeared to blame the Peronistas who they felt had created a culture of people expecting the government to provide for everything irrespective of budgetary constraints. Healthcare, education – including university education – heavily subsided utility costs, etc were part of the fabric of Argentina ……… and it was all being funded by printing money!

However, we found that because of the strength of the US dollar, the cost of our trip was considerably cheaper than what we would have paid in the US. We were able to enjoy all the sights, food, and experiences that Argentina had to offer without breaking the bank. We were struck by how good-looking the people were, and we saw very few overweight people. It seemed like everyone took pride in their appearance, and the city had a vibrant and stylish atmosphere.

On our second day in Buenos Aires, we headed to Palermo, where we hung out in the beautiful rose garden, surrounded by vibrant blooms of every color imaginable. The scent of the flowers filled the air, and we felt like we were in a dream world.

There are several parks in Buenos Aires that are home to famous poets’ busts. One such park is the Rosedal de Palermo, a stunning garden located in the Palermo neighborhood. Remarkably there was a bust with Rabindra Nath Tagore in this garden together with other poets. There was something surreal about finding Tagore’s statue in a park in Argentina that celebrated mainly Latin American poets and a few European poets.

We then proceeded to the famous La Recoleta Cemetery which contains the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón, presidents of Argentina, Nobel Prize winners among others.. The cemetery was a sight to behold, with towering monuments and mausoleums that seemed to reach up to the sky. We felt a sense of awe and reverence as we walked through the maze of tombs and learned about the fascinating history of Buenos Aires. Eva Peron’s tomb was not particularly striking compared to some of the others.

For dinner that night, we headed to Don Julio, a famous steakhouse in the city. Although we didn’t have a reservation, we arrived about 30 minutes before they opened and were able to snag a table about an hour after they opened. The smell of sizzling steak filled the air, and we indulged in juicy steaks which were surprisingly tough – maybe we ordered the wrong cuts. The Malbec that Amit ordered with the steaks was exceptional.

The next day, we explored the city center, visiting landmarks such as the Congress building and Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. We strolled through the picturesque Puerto Madero, with its striking bridge and modern architecture that contrasted with the historical buildings of the city.

The Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, is the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located in the city’s historical center, facing Plaza de Mayo. One of the cathedral’s most notable features is the mausoleum of General José de San Martín, a key figure in Argentina’s independence from Spain. Pope Francis, the current leader of the Catholic Church, has a close association with the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires.

That night, we dined at Parrilla, a local restaurant in Palermo, known for its mouthwatering grilled meats. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, and we savored every bite of our perfectly cooked steak.

The following day, we visited the San Telmo market, a bustling street market where we enjoyed a delicious choripan lunch. We then wandered around the charming neighborhood of San Telmo, with its quaint cobblestone streets and colonial architecture.

We ended the day in La Boca, strolling through the colorful and lively Caminito street, with its vibrant buildings and tango dancers. We felt like we had stepped into a different world, full of energy and passion.

That night, we experienced the ultimate Buenos Aires experience, a tango show and dinner in Palermo. We were transported to a bygone era, as we watched the dancers glide across the floor with grace and elegance.

On our last day, we took some time to relax and check out the famous El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a large bookstore on multiple floors. We felt like we had entered a palace of books, with its ornate ceilings and grand architecture.

Overall, our time in Buenos Aires was unforgettable, full of delicious food, stunning scenery, and a vibrant culture that left us in awe.