Autumn?

Hey guys, have you noticed how all of a sudden people are wrapped up in scarves and coats?

It’s crazy to think that people would consider leaving the house in anything more than a t-shirt in this weather, as it’s still reaching the early twenties most days.

Today it’s a sweaty 20 degrees, even more so if you’re buried in layers!! I get the impression that people here don’t dress according to the weather on a day-to-day basis, but they follow the seasons.

I remember when I arrived it was pretty Baltic, and as it started to warm up I put my sweaters back in the closet and pulled out the flip flops much to the dismay of other porteños. However, the first official day of spring arrived and I could almost smell the excitement from BsAs citizens at being able to wear flimsier clothes without feeling stupid, despite it not being any hotter than the week before!

So now that autumn is here I’m making the most of wearing my flip flops, as I know that when the ‘official’ winter kicks in, I’ll have to hide them to avoid any dirty gringo stares. Make the most of it, everyone! Even Bosephus is following my advice and has had his havaianas on at every opportunity!!

Rolling around Recoleta Cemetery

I think even Bosephus would be put to shame by the array of marble on show in Recoleta Cemetery.

This eery yet breathtaking corner of one of the most respectable neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires is a must-see for everyone passing through the city, if only to see the tomb of Argentina’s beloved Evita which is surprisingly one of the more conservative tombs in comparison to some of the other ‘mansions’ on show.

The huge tombs themselves display incredibly extravagant carved facades and plaques commemorating lost loved ones from the more noble families in Argentina, and as you wander around the shaded blocks you can’t help but notice the stray cats lazing on marble steps in the deceptively strong sun, revelling in the tranquility of one of very few silent spots in Buenos Aires.

The cemetery is best visited in the week, as the weekend sees tourists piling into the area to enjoy the Recoleta market and its assortment of handicrafts and performers. However, the market is not to be missed as many of the items are very reasonably priced and you might just find the perfect souvenir.

Personally, wandering around Buenos Aires in the heat of the day really takes it out of me so I tend to head over to the market in the early evening and just plant myself on the grass to take in the sounds of the musicians dotted around the grass as the sun dips below the skyline.

Marble Madness

One of the reasons that Buenos Aires is inundated with marble statues is because of the Italian influence.  States of San Juan, Belgrano, and Simon Bolivar all over town are made of marble.

In the early 20th century, the influx of Italian immigrants fleeing brought their customs to Argentina.  This is notably see in the pasta restaurants on every corner, the endless cups of cafe, and of course, marble in every building and on every statue.

Bring Your Marble Here!

Looking for something to do on a Monday night in Buenos Aires? Well bring your marble-filled pockets to the drum show each Monday. Beers and laid back drumming. Pretty chiiiiiiill.

Rolling Right On Into…

Fall! With all the rain February brings, March and April will bring fewer and fewer sunny days. While this might mean slightly more rain, it means cooler days for traveling and some more relaxing meals outdoors. If you’re thinking of traveling South America, now is a great time.

Which Way To Roll…

Making travel plans it can be hard to decide where to go and when. There are lots of forums telling you where and in what way to take your own traveling marble. If you’re looking for some great travel itineraries for South Ameirca, then check out MiniHostels. I found some good advice on there. Just a suggestion!

Spring = Humidity

Sorry for the hiatus guys!  With the arrival of spring, humidity has made its sinister presence known.  I thought NC had humidity on lock, but it’s got nothing on Buenos Aires.  Riding the subway in the morning is like a sauna.  I can only imagine what summer is going to be like.

And the craziest thing is locals down here aren’t even affected!  I’m sweating in shorts and a t-shirt, and people wearing full wool suits on the subway are sitting pretty.  How does that work?!  I’m surprised Bosephus didn’t melt immediately after this picture was taken.

Spring Is In The Air

See that greenery?  Spring is in the air here in Buenos Aires, and I’m really enjoying it.  It’s the window of perfect weather in between the chilly temperatures of Winter and the scalding climes of Summer.  Heck, I can even walk around town without breaking a sweat these days.

One of my particular favorites that has come with this weather are all the crafts fairs and flea markets that have gone into full swing.  Every weekend there’s a new one to go to.  The Recoleta flea market (more for the hippie crowd), the San Telmo antique fair (great if you’re into knick-knacks), and the Gaucho Fair out in Matadores (great for a view into the true Gaucho lifestyle).  All of ‘em have a unique vibe that’s fun to soak in for a day.  If you’ve got a day on a weekend with no big plans, check them out!

New Friends

One of the best things about being an endearing nerd is that people will put up with your shenanigans if you’re sincere about them.  Landmarks and monuments are grand and all, but the relationships I’ve formed down here are much more important in my mind.  I met Alana here through the ever-helpful Facebook, where it turned out we had attended the same university, and we became fast friends.

The locals here in Buenos Aires have all been incredibly open and welcoming to expats in my experience.  Everyone seems interested about why I chose to come down here, and they also love to make a case for why Buenos Aires is the best city on Earth.  I’ve got more pictures of my friends with Bosephus, though it can be difficult to explain about my marble in my halting Spanish sometimes.  For the most part they just give me the patented “crazy American” look and go with it.

If you’re looking for a very friendly city during your travels, I can’t recommend Buenos Aires enough.  If they’ll humor a card / marble carrying member of the nerd club, I can only imagine how well normal sociable folk can do down here.  Bosephus and I have been on a tear lately, so be on the look out for a lot more posts in the near future!

Header Image

The image I used for the header on this blog was taken in Parque Tres de Febrero, here in Buenos Aires.  Bosephus and I had been lounging on a nice day there, and decided that a photo shoot was in order.  The parks in the Palermo area are all very nice, especially now that Spring has begun to show its beautiful face.  You have plenty of choices, from the Japanese Gardens all the way to the Botanical Gardens.  The whole area is green.

The best way to get there is to catch the D line subte to Plaza Italia and start walking, though I’ll admit I seem to like walking a bit more than most.  If walking isn’t your style, there are tons of buses that run through the area, so just refer to the ever-useful Guia T and get yourself there.  Spring is in the air!

More to come very soon, stay tuned!