Buenos Aires

 

On our return to Buenos Aires we were lucky enough to do some traditional tourist activities alongside some really unique experiences, especially with my friend Noe who was an exchange student with my family 10 years ago. 

Our first night, we went on a full-moon tour of the Ecological Reserve of Buenos Aires. While I couldn’t understand everything that was said having lost my Spanish over the years, I can say with certainty that it was one of the most unique tours to have experienced. We began with 45 minutes of introductions of all guests, including the important question ‘what is your spirit animal’. (Sunny claimed elephant, I tried for platypus but unfortunately that didn’t translate too well). This was followed by a stroll through the moonlit reserve, including a profound discussion into the movement from nature to city and back to nature and similar anthropological topics. The highlight however, was seeing the moonlit beach at the tip of the park and enjoying a snack in the peace that’s hard to find in such a hectic city.

The second morning we enjoyed a city tour of the wealthy parts of Buenos Aires; Retiro, Recoleta, and San Martin. While not as thrilling as our moonlit foray back into nature, hearing the stories of the porteno (Buenos Aires native) tour guide was fun and interesting. 

In the afternoon we met up with Noe and Luciano to have a typical lunch in the Mercado Central of the San Telmo neighborhood. I enjoyed choripan (chorizo sausage on bread) while Sunny chose to stick with the less common vegetarian options. After, we were treated to live music and a few tango numbers in the square. The band playing was made famous for helping a father find his lost son in the crowd one busy market day and improvising what later became a hit song in Argentina! (Eduardo busca Juan Cruz). The father may have. been endlessly embarrassed but we enjoyed this hit song!

On Sunday, we had lunch with Noe, Luciano, and her cousin, who we learned worked at the horse race track as a vet. Acting spontaneously, we asked if we could go to work with her later that day and experience a horse race, which none of us (native Argentines included) had ever seen. Since we knew someone on the inside, we got to do a ride-along, including standing next to the boxes when the horses start the race and even driving behind the racing horses in the inner track. This super unique experience wrapped up with a small bet (we all lost). We’ll miss Noe but thank her for opening us up to some unique Argentine experiences, and hope to see her and Luciano again soon! (In less than 10 years this time, if possible)