Archivo para la categoría ‘Buenos Aires’
Marzo 29, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, backpackers in buenos aires, Hostel Colonial, Hostel in Buenos Aires | # Enlace permanente
If you’re thinking of coming to Buenos Aires, it’s essential for you to know the public holiday calendar to organize your trip. With the objective of promoting tourism, Argentina often moves some holidays to their closest Monday or Friday, creating the so called “Long weekends”. There are few exceptions: Labor Day (May 1st), Revolution Day (May 25th), Independence Day (July 9th), Christmas (December 25th) and New Year (December 31st and January 1st). The rest are adapted to have longer breaks.
On holidays, the amount of people in the city declines. Especially, Downtown where most of the offices are located. ¿Where do porteños go? Many chose to stay at home with their families or to go out to parks of coffees (depending on the season). Those who had the time to plan a trip, traditionally move to the Atlantic Coast, seaside resorts located 300-400km south of Buenos Aires. Some of the most popular are San Bernardo, Villa Gessell, Pinamar y Mar del Plata.
This year we have had only two holidays (New Year on January 1st and Memory Day on March 24th) and there’s another one coming (Easter, from April 1st to April 4th). Hostel Colonial gives you the full public holiday, so you can plan your trip in the best way.
April 1st: Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday).
April 2nd: Holy Friday (Good Friday) and Malvinas Veteran and Fallen Day.
April 3rd: Holy Saturday.
April 4th: Easter.
May 1st: Labor Day.
May 25th: Revolution Day and First Argentine Government. This year we also commemorate our Bicentennial.
June 21st: Death of General Manuel Belgrano (originally on June 20th).
July 9th: Independence Day.
August 16th: Death of General José de San Martín (originally on August 17th).
October 11th: Encounter of Two Cultures –former Race Day- (originally on October 12th).
December 8th: Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
December 25th: Christmas.
December 31st: New Years Eve.
Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.
Febrero 10, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: Alternative Tourism, argentina, Backpacking, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
There are neighborhoods and tourist circuits outside the classical places in Buenos Aires. The idea of alternative tourism is to offer this other sightsees for the tourist that already knows classical Buenos Aires and is eager to see new spaces, or for those who are trying to escape from traditional tourism or knowing our city in a different way. A most traditional neighborhood in Buenos Aires that meets these requirements is Caballito (Little Horse in Spanish).
Located in the center of the city (it actually contains the geographical center of Buenos Aires in 1.023, Avellaneda Av.), Caballito is a middle-class district organized round Rivadavia Av. You can get there by the A Line of the subway (the oldest line, from 1912, that still preserves some of their old wagon) in the stations Rio de Janeiro, Acoyte, Primera Junta (former terminal) and Puán (new station); and by buses of several lines.
The main attractive of Caballito is the Parque Rivadavia (Rivadavia Park) in 4.800, Rivadavia Av., Acoyte station, that houses one of the biggest second hand fairs in the city where you can find cheap books, CDs and movies. It’s a great place for a pic-nic under its centennial trees or for getting some traditional handcraft. On weekends, is a great place for sports (young people practice the Brazilian martial art Capoeira) or to see live rock bands.
On Rivadavia Av. (from 4.500 to 6.000) there are may bars and restaurants. In Primera Junta station, there’s another second hand book fair and a horse-shaped weather vane that imitates the original which named the neighborhood. Another great place is the English Neighborhood, built alongside the railroad in the streets Pedro Goyena, Valle, Emilio Mitre and Del Barco Centenera. In Caballito’s streets you can still ride the old tramway (transportation that’s no longer in use but was at its height in the beginnings of the XIX Century).
(Spanish only)
Febrero 9, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial, Tango | # Enlace permanente
El bailarín de tango más famoso de la Vieja Guardia que ha tenido nuestro país tiene nombre y apellido. Jorge Orcaizaguirre, también conocido como el vasco o simplemente Jorgito, se dio a conocer al gran público bajo el seudónimo de “Virulazo”. Todo un personaje de Buenos Aires que encantaba no sólo por la sobriedad y gracia de sus movimientos sobre las pistas de cada milonga o teatro, sino además por su personalidad arrolladora.
Su apodo surge cuando tenía 18 años y jugaba a las bochas (una especie de bowling por aproximación) en los almacenes de su San Justo natal. Tenía un tiro potente que emocionaba a un viejo italiano que gritaba “¡Mandale el virulazo!” cada vez que lo veía prepararse para ejecutarlo. De infancia humilde, realizó todo tipo de trabajos (desde lustrador de zapatos hasta vendedor de comida en puestos callejeros), mientras practicaba su amado tango.
Confesaba que bailaba desde los 13 años, pero antes ya practicaba en el patio de su casa. Un día, bailando en una milonga de Mataderos lo vieron dos cantantes de tango de aquel entonces y le sugirieron que debía cobrar por el espectáculo que brindaba en las pistas. AL día siguiente comenzó a bailar en un almacén de calle Corrientes. De allí pasó a bailar en diferentes cabaret de moda y terminó su primera etapa ganando un concurso nacional en 1952.
De allí vendría la fama mundial, las giras por Estados Unidos y Europa y la posterior consagración local. En los 80 decidirá retirarse, pero volverá tiempo más tarde con el espectáculo Tango Argentino. Sorprendió allí al mundo con su estilo único, barrial, sin coreografías, pura creatividad e improvisación. Reconocido por otros grandes como el bailarín ruso Nureyev, o actores fanáticos del estilo como Anthony Quinn y Robert Duvall, “el gordo” –como se lo conoció en sus últimos años- nos dejó un 2 de agosto de 1990. Lo lloraron sus cinco hijos y su esposa y eterna pareja de baile, Elvira.
Febrero 3, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Buenos Aires | # Enlace permanente
Hoy, 3 de febrero de 2010, se conmemoran los 474 años de la Primera Fundación de Nuestra Señora del Buen Ayre, por el español Pedro de Mendoza. Según los historiadores, el primer asentamiento (un fuerte) se emplazó en la zona aledaña al actual Parque Lezama (en La Boca). La escasa cantidad de hombres que llegaron a estas costas, sumado al deteriorado estado de salud de Pedro de Mendoza (moriría en el viaje de regreso a España) llevaron a un progresivo fracaso de aquella misión. El punto más cercano de provisión era la ciudad de Asunción (hoy capital de Paraguay) a más de 1.000km que debían recorrerse a caballo. Para 1541, el grupo diezmado por el hambre y la enfermedad, que además se encontraba sitiado por los aborígenes locales (los querandíes) debió abandonar el territorio, que fue rápidamente arrasado.
Diversos relatos de época se centran en la dificultad de las condiciones de vida en esa primera precaria fundación, haciendo foco en el hambre y el combate cotidiano con los querandíes que acechaban la endeble fortificación. Pero quizá nadie captó la angustia de aquellos días como el poeta argentino Manuel Mujica Lainez (“Manucho”), quien en su clásico libro “Misteriosa Buenos Aires”, ofrece un relato que mezcla los datos históricos, con algo de fantasía que completa los huecos del relato oficial. La historia de un soldado desesperado por el hambre que asesina por equivocación a su hermano para comérselo, o la de aquel fraile que se convertía en el primer poeta porteño, son algunos de los fragmentos imperdibles de aquella época.
La ciudad sería refundada (Segunda Fundación) el 11 de junio de 1580 por Juan de Garay, bajo el nombre de Ciudad de La Santísima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa María del Buen Ayre. Desde dónde sería abreviado para llegar al actual Buenos Aires. Con mejor preparación, equipamiento y víveres, luego de la experiencia fallida de Mendoza, finalmente el Imperio Español concretaba su objetivo de tener una salida rápida al Atlántico para sus misiones desde Potosí al sur. Actualmente, la gesta de Pedro de Mendoza es recordada –entre otros sitios- nada menos que por el símbolo de Buenos Aires, el Obelisco (que puede visitarse a sólo 5 cuadras del Hostel Colonial), construido para el IV Centenario de su fundación.
Enero 26, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: backpackers in buenos aires, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
In October 2009, the tango was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. The cultural protected status covers representative music and dance of the River Plate (especially the twin cities of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay). The declaration was signed by 24 members of the Intangible Heritage Committee in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
The proposal promoted by both South American countries tries to rescue the traditional music and dance shaped in both sides of the River Plate in the last decades of the XIX Century. The fusion of African rhythms with the Spanish guitar and singing tradition originated tango. Result and image of the working class in those days, summarizes in its cadence and lyrics, the nostalgia, sadness and happiness of our people.
According to UNESCO, each intangible cultural heritage (as the tango is now) is traditional and living at the same time. It is constantly recreated and mainly transmitted orally. The depository of this heritage is the human mind, the human body being the main instrument for its enactment, or –literally– embodiment. The knowledge and skills are often shared within a community, and manifestations are often performed collectively.
Some other intangible heritages that share this privilege with tango are: the Samba de Roda de Recôncavo de Bahía (Brazil), Chinese calligraphy, Aubusson tapestry (France), the tradition of Vedic Chanting (India), Opera Dei Puppi, Sicilian Puppet Theater (Italy), Kabuki Theater (Japan), the Indigenous Festivity dedicated to the Death (Mexico), among others.
For more information, visit the UNESCO web site by clicking here.
Acceda a la versión en español de esta entrada aquí.
Enero 14, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: Buenos Aires Blog, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
Um día de campo em Buenos Aires. ¿É possível? É, Sim. Inclusive numa mega cidade de movimento frenético como na capital da Argentina há espaço para se relaxar e desfrutar da natureza. O lugar ideal são os Bosques de Palermo, umas 25 hectares de verde que incluem um lago, veredas para esportes, áreas de piquenique, um bonito rosedal, o Planetário e, perto, os jardins Zoológico, Botânico e Japonês.
Um recorrido possível começa de manha na Praça Italia (mêtro, linha D), rodeada pelos jardins Zoológico (US$ 7 o ticket) e Botánico (entrada livre) que podem se visitar em algumas horas. Daí, camine pela Avenida Sarmiento até o cruzamento com a Avenida Libertador, aonde pode se apreciar o Monumento aos Espanhóis. Esta é a entrada aos Bosques. Continue por Sarmiento até a Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, aí poderá optar por um passeio em “mateo” (uma carroça antiga levada por cavalos), chegando ao Planetário.
O edificio semelha uma grande bola de espelhos y oferece um tour astronómico entretido e a chance de ver uma pedra luar que o Apollo XI trouxe à Terra. Fronte do Planetário está o acesso ao Rosedal, um dos parques mais famosos da cidade. Dentro, há un pequeno lago e um ponte branco desde onde observam-se as flores que nomeiam o parque.
Avançando pela Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, atravessam-se áreas com uma grande quantidade de árvores –muitas eucaliptos- aonde pode fazer seu piquenique ou simplesmente tirar uma soneca. Se você preferir, pode continuar pela vereda para caminhantes (ou bicicletas, se alugou uma) até o lago. Anime-se, pode navegar em curiosas embarcações de 4 pedales. Para terminar a tarde, visite o Jardim Japonés, localizado nas avenidas Figueroa Alcorta e Casares. Uma cópia da tradicional jardinagem oriental combinando perfeição com harmonia.
Versión en español: http://hostelblog.com.ar/?p=1016
Enero 6, 2010 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
This post is the first in a series on imperdibles of Buenos Aires and its surroundings so you can plan your stay in the city.
The famous “Calle Florida” is a pedestrian street without traffic where the passer-by may walk along looking into each of Buenos Aires most gorgeous shop windows.
Florida St. – 1888
Florida St. – 1901
Florida Street is located only one block from
Hostel Colonial and has many attractions for the tourist. It is a commercial showcase, offering any form of imaginable merchandise and in every possible price range. From departments stores and shopping arcades to regional gift shops, people pass by art galleries, records and bookstores and cannot resist a drink in one of the many quaint coffee shops, bars, tea-rooms or restaurants. Boutiques selling diamonds (jewellery), furs, and high quality clothes for ladies and men, leather clothing, shoes and furniture embellish the street with its fine quality.
Florida Street is a “must” for everybody. Apart from watching, or courting women-the beauty and elegance of the Argentine women are world known-there is always something new in its shop windows.
Born as a primitive path on June 11, 1580, when Buenos Aires city was founded, Florida Street started to be a commercial one around two centuries ago, advancing south to north from Rivadavia Street, and completing its eleven blocks while reaching beautiful San Martin Square. Usually a crowded street, with a million and a half daily passer-byes in high seasons, Florida St. requires an extra supervision, apart from that corresponding to the local government.
As an essential part of the country, Florida St. is deeply connected to the ups and downs of the Argentines economy, to which any decision related to the growth of the street is actually submitted. Two hundred years of an always increasing commercial life are the evidence that Florida St. overcomes all kind of difficulties and remains as a symbol in the heart of the Argentine people that feel proud that “Calle Florida” is considered as one of the most important streets around the world.
Diciembre 10, 2009 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Blog, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
Brilliant, dirty, messy, noisy, exciting, Argentines are Italians who speak Spanish, for all that…I love Buenos Aires, I love Argentina, I love the Malbec wine, I love….Too many streets to walk. Too many things to see and admire. Buenos Aires, a city of contrasts, a city of extremes. The good, the bad. The beautiful, the ugly. Trends, cool things and bizarre things. The cheap and the expensive. People, a day in their lives. The opulence and the misery. Feelings, love, madness, joy, anger, the best and the worst of beings who wander through a big city.
Buenos Aires as I can tell. Buenos Aires depicted in hundreds of images. The vision goes beyond the doors of Hostel Colonial. It also goes beyond my ability to surprise.
A different approach, my approach. Buenos Aires is my whim, you know. I take pictures with my cameras and my iPhone. A complex act of love and urban hunting.
I´m a businessman, I know, but I have not lost the animal instinct. I love the game of being an urban animal and
Buenos Aires is my jungle. I offer images that capture everyday and also I’m looking for on the
Internet.
Want to see more
Buenos Aires?
Porteño´s (are the least dare) or tourist, this is the
SITE All these images have been published in the Tumblelog of Hostel Colonial, every day, many more.
For contact with us or make your reservation: info@hostelcolonial.com.ar
Diciembre 7, 2009 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial, Hostel in South America | # Enlace permanente
“Alfajores” in Argentina. This country has a massive sweet tooth. Two baked round sweet biscuits joined together with a filling of “dulce de leche” (milk jam) or jelly, covered with chocolate.
It has its origins in Arabic countries and was made popular in Spain during Columbus’ time. In Argentina the tradition has been kept for 130 years.
It was introduced in Cordoba (Argentina) in 1869.
The names were chosen by a French Augusto Chammás who set up a a candy factory.
The production of “alfajores” is simple and comes in different flavors: white, dark chocolate, and others very typical argentinean made, with cornstarch.
In Argentina the most popular is made by Havanna S.A.
This company, from Mar del Plata, in the province of Buenos Aires, was set up in 1947, and it gained international prestige thanks to the flavor of its home made dulce de leche. The alfajor industry evolves every day.
Either with lemon mousse or chocolate, glazing or fruit, alfajores have become the perfect company for a good cup of tea or coffee.
So, if you’re trying to lose weight, maybe this is not the country in which to start your diet !
There are many brands and in Hostel Colonial we like too: “Capitán del Espacio“, “Cachafaz“, “Fantoche” and “Guolis“
Noviembre 21, 2009 | Por hostel-colonial | Claves: argentina, Hostel Colonial | # Enlace permanente
Today I read this note in The Guardian and I really liked. Here you can read some paragraph or can click on the title of this post and go to original full post.
I like recommending things to my city in this blog of Hostel Colonial and this is one of them
In Buenos Aires chefs are turning their own homes into restaurants – offering affordable dining and the perfect place to meet locals.
Across Buenos Aires, behind nondescript front doors and in family living rooms, a host of homespun restaurants are the latest foodie fad. The tricky bit is finding them – and I fall at the first hurdle.
Almacen Secreto, or the Secret Store (+54 911 4854 9131), is – as its name suggests – virtually impossible to locate. Admittedly, I’ve forgotten to write down the street number, but it’s also because it’s on an unremarkable road in the residential Villa Crespo neighbourhood. I stride straight past. It’s easily done. The anodyne corrugated door, framed by two lonely pot plants and some graffiti, is a stone’s throw from a tatty antiques warehouse and railway line.
This is just one of a growing number of puertas cerradas, or closed-door restaurants, springing up across Buenos Aires. “Before, it was all about being seen,” says Almacen Secreto founder Maria Morales, “Everyone wanted flashy restaurants with floor-to-ceiling windows onto the street. Now it seems people want something more intimate, much more personal.”
And that’s exactly what she provides. Almacen Secreto offers a shaded courtyard and simple dining room with so few tables that guests mingle naturally. At lunch I find myself next to some circus school students. Maria’s menu divides the country into three regions and I opt for a tender braised Patagonian lamb with rosemary and roast potatoes. Like the food, earthenware crockery, and artwork lining the walls and gallery, the wine is home grown, from small bodegas whose “wines you won’t find in any supermarket.”
“You hear about these restaurants by word of mouth,” says the circus school teacher Hernan Carbon. “A friend sent me an email about this place, and I’ve been coming ever since.”
Fortunately, from their highly secretive beginnings, increasing popularity has earned the closed-door restaurants mentions in Time Out Buenos Aires and other guides, and most hotels can now help too – so you need neither local contacts nor advanced Spanish to seek them out. Alternatively, an internet search for “puertas cerradas Buenos Aires” brings up blogs and Facebook fan clubs…….More? Go to the original post
If you’re thinking of coming to Buenos Aires, it’s essential for you to know the public holiday calendar to organize your trip. With the objective of promoting tourism, Argentina often moves some holidays to their closest Monday or Friday, creating the so called “Long weekends”. There are few exceptions: Labor Day (May 1st), Revolution Day (May 25th), Independence Day (July 9th), Christmas (December 25th) and New Year (December 31st and January 1st). The rest are adapted to have longer breaks.
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