Posted on 07/09/2012 7:16:17 PM PDT by sushiman
Haven’t been to either but historically, culturally, and ethnically Brazil and Argentina are COMPLETELY different.
Learn about Argentina, because having visited and worked there, I think its what the USA is turning into.
The Italian district is very colorful and interesting - along with the French area. They have a “woman's district” which is where the Hilton is. The waterfront across the river from the Hilton has tons of great restaurants - in fact you get great food and wine most everywhere. I learned to love malbec wine.
They really do tango in the streets and I thought what I saw in the streets was better than the show we saw. There is a big shopping area where there are no cars that is interesting. They also have a huge park that is sort of like a living room for the city - at least when we were there in what is their summer.
Oh - the cemetery is not to be missed!!!! REALLY! Evita is buried there but the place is just so interesting even if she weren't there. Also I discovered a store that had old military paraphernalia - too bad I threw away the card - it was truly interesting - all these old uniforms and guns, horse gear. Fascinating helmets - some of them looked German with metal things on top.
Heard you don't want to leave the city by car - there are bandits out there.
Also, lots of good looking people - handsome men and one time I wandered into a high end store and there was the most knock-out blonde woman - she looked like she could be wonder woman with blonde hair - I wondered what she was doing selling clothes!
I know you'll have a GREAT time!
Lived there for 6 months or so in 1998, so my info is a bit dated! For families Palermo (near the US Embassy) is a nice place to live, and on the subway line, with a relatively quick commute into the city.
Argentines are a bit different; they are pretty snobby and not as open/friendly as some places in Latin America (like Mexico where people are, or used to be, very friendly)... but they are an interesting people nonetheless, and as you meet people NOT from the capital, they do get friendlier.
My favorite place to hang out as a tourist was probably Recoleta and Avenida Florida, pretty typical of the 20 something that I was at the time :)
If you have any more specific questions I’d be happy to try and give you my experiences.
If you like natural wonders, enter “Iguazu Falls” into youtube’s search window. It is on the Brazilian/Argetine border and you could probably fit three Niagra Falls into it.
You will see some excellent footage on youtube.
And I forgot to add to the last post, the government enacted tight currency restrictions (Argentine Peso to USD convertibility). I would check to make sure your debit/credit card works there and gives you a good rate. Lots of counterfeit bills (or more than the usual share) at the “Casa de Cambio” or foreign exchange booths. Those are under restrictions too, as the fear is the peso will be devalued and people are flocking to put their assets into USD.
I was in BA just before the Falklands War in the 80s. The city is lovely, clean and safe. The people are extremely friendly and are always happy to provide a stranger with assistance.
A trip through BA is like a trip through western Europe. The food, fashions and architecture are all reminiscent of France, Germany and Spain. Prior to the outbreak of the Falklands War, BA was a major retirement center for Britains whose pensions went farther in BA and allowed them to live very well.
If you have an opportunity to visit BA, take it!! You’ll never regret the experience. Take lots of pictures!!!
How about beer, chicken/fish & dirt bikes. Beautiful women OK, too, but kind of old for that full time.
My favorite city in all of Latin America. I’ve spent many years travelling on business to Mexico City, Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru), Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro.
Having lived in Europe for 7 years BA is the Paris of Latin America. High culture, fashion, elegant, good food and drink. They have 4 seasons so their winter can get quite chilly.
The racial mix of Argentina is much different than the other countries of Latin America because the Spanish conquerors embarked on genocide of the native population. Thus today the Argentinian people have very European features (Spanish, Italian, French, German).
Head over to Recoleta which is one of the most elegant areas in Buenos Aires and is a high class residential and commercial district. If the weather is nice sit outside at a sidewalk cafe and order a platter of cheese and dried meats and a bottle of wine and watch the sights.
There is a also a cemetery there where Eva Peron is entombed.
A nice area to stay and shop is around Florida street. There are many of hotels in the area.
As in any major international city, there are many options for entertainment at night.
Stick with the Malbec and steak.
sushiman:
“The only South American country worth going to is Chile.”
According to family reports, your statement is true.
They also reported Chile is super, super clean. This is one of the many leftovers from Pinchot’s strictness and his heavy hand. No throwing trash on the ground as found in other Latin countries, which is my only big gripe about Panama.
The Panamanian educated class doesn’t like it either. But what can one do when the uneducated class does not respect cleanliness once they are outside their homes and yards, which they keep clean?
I would LOVE to visit Chile.
Maybe someday I will.
dfwgator:
But all trips to whatever country is a “learning experience.” Just don’t think of it as a “vacation” and you will do just great.
With that in mind, all trips turn into positive experiences when one leaves expectations at home. Anything that goes wrong makes for wonderful and amusing stories back home.
Just do a lot of reading before the trip to learn the history, etc., and relax and enjoy.
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