Tag Archives: Buenos Aires culture

Mente and Spanglish: The Perfect Activity to Practice your Spanish

January 25, 2012   MenteArgentina   No comments
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A great way to practice your Spanish while studying abroad or volunteering here in Buenos Aires is to go to Spanglish!! Spanglish was designed for foreigners to practice their Spanish skills while giving porteños the opportunity to practice English. Not only is it a language exchange, but it’s also a cultural exchange. You can learn about Argentine culture from an Argentine, and also share your cultural anecdotes.
Here at Mente Argentina we believe that cultural immersion is the most important part of your trip abroad and participating in activities that facilitate this immersion will only make your experience here that much more meaningful, which is why we have added Spanglish night to our monthly activities.
How it works: people arrive and there is a 45 minute check in. This gives you the opportunity to chat with everyone and maybe grab a drink at the bar. You are given a table number and when it’s time to begin everyone goes to their first assigned table. Here you chat with your partner for five minutes in English then switch for five more minutes in Spanish. During this time pizza or other snacks are passed around for munching. Then it’s time to switch!
Spanglish events are always held in super hip bars in some of the coolest barrios in Buenos Aires. Last week we went to Klan Bar in Recoleta, right across from the cemetery. This is a well known area for upscale bars and restaurants with a fun vibe. Afterwards people usually go to another bar with their new friends!
At Spanglish I started with a girl who is studying to become an English teacher. She was about 20 years old and just so sweet! She has been studying for about two years and when I asked how long the program is, she told me that it takes about 10 years!! 10 YEARS! Wow, I couldn’t believe it. What a commitment! It didn’t seem to faze her though. As an American, I feel like we are all so eager to finish our studies as quickly as possible, hopefully having a degree by 22 or 23. But, in Argentina it doesn’t always work that way. They have other obstacles to endure, but they still hold their education as the highest of their priorities. This young woman was extremely dedicated and by going to Spanglish she is able to have one-on-one interaction with native English speakers. This is surely one of the few opportunities that she has to speak with natives, so it has become a vital part of her ‘studies’. By going to Spanglish you are not only improving your Spanish, but also helping the locals with their careers, which in turn may help them improve their social and economic status. All in all, it’s a win-win.
One suggestion that I would make is to bring some topics for discussion. Telling five to ten different people the exact same things about yourself will get dull really quick. Think of some interesting questions and conversation starters before heading over. Some ideas could include: dating culture in Argentina, food, best restaurants, best boliches (off the tourist radar), ideas for traveling in Argentina, ask about favorite vacations or an interesting fact about the person. We all know that people love to talk about themselves, so think of something you would like to know about the porteño sitting in front of you (no matter how random) and ask. They can be a great resource for some insight into the city and the Argentine lifestyle.
Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself into the bilingual community in Buenos Aires!  Whether you’re studying abroad or doing one of Mente’s many internships you will benefit from a night with Spanglish!

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Mente on the Music of Buenos Aires

October 31, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
creamfields Buenos Aires 2011

Buenos Aires is truly a city that never sleeps, so finding something to do is as easy as walking out your front door. It is a great city for study abroad students from all over the world because there is something for everyone, especially when it comes to music. It doesn’t matter where you are from or what you are into, you will find your niche here. In Buenos Aires you will find that you spend your days hustling to and from all those Photography or DJ classes, but at night you are free! And you will be surprised at the abundance of activities this city hast o offer. Check out Mente’s previous blog Buenos Aires Nightlife: 7 nights a week for the best bars and clubs in BA!

Creamfields—November 2011

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Creamfields, it is the electronic party of the year with locations all over Europe and Latin America. For those of you who have experienced the craziness of Creamfields, you know that it is the ’it’ place if you live for beats and bass. Buenos Aires continually draws the more guests than any other venue with more than 50,000 people every year. Luckily for us here in Argentina, Creamfields has been mixing dance beats in Buenos Aires for the last 10 years with headliners including David Guetta, Paul van Dyk, The Prodigy, Paul Oakenfold, Dubfire and many, many others.

 

In some countries Creamfields is a multiday event where you can spend the weekend camping. Here in Buenos Aires it is just a one day event, or more specifically, a one night event. It starts at 5pm and goes all night and well into the next day. DJs will be mixing all the latest tunes and their own dirty beats so don’t plan on sleeping that night! If you are in Argentina studying abroad, or perhaps doing the DJ program with Mente Argentina, this is going to be the most important concert of your stay.

Creamfields isn’t the only good electronic music that you will find here; Buenos Aires has an ever-growing underground electronic scene. Check out http://www.buenosaliens.com/ for information about upcoming shows!

Besides the huge electronic scene, there are also tons of local and internationally celebrated bands that come to rock the city in a way only possible in Latin America. Buenos Aires is a hotspot for music of all types and no matter what you are into, you will find it here. Recently the Red Hot Chili Peppers played a sold out show, next up is Interpol, The Strokes and Roger Waters. For those who love the poppy sounds, BA caters to you as well. Katy Perry, Mylie Cyrus and Madonna entertained us with their catchy tunes.

In addition to all the big names that come through Argentina, the local scene is also jam-packed with talented artists playing at a variety of great venues. So maybe it’s time to veer away from these popular artists and check out the local music scene. Argentina is famous for its tango and you can still hear it playing in the background of many restaurants, kioskos, and maybe even from your neighbor’s apartment. Its antique and tragic sounds are romantic in their own way, but if a slow, dramatic tango isn’t really your style, maybe you will enjoy the fast and always fun sounds of cumbia. Cumbia started in Colombia and quickly spread through Latin America, and Argentina is no exception. Most boliches, or clubs, play a mix of the top ten hits, reggaetone and cumbia, occasionally throwing in some rock n roll. But if live music– rock, indie, folk, and everything in between–is what you live for, this is the city for you! Cute cafes, cultural centers, nightclubs, and huge stadiums all host a variety of bands and genres from all over Argentina and the world. And if the weather is nice, you can even catch a band rocking out in the park on the weekend!

What’s up Buenos Aires (http://www.whatsupbuenosaires.com/wuba2/) posts a daily agenda of live music, as well as other cultural activities, and is an excellent resource for getting to know the music scene in BA. Also, check out http://www.vuenosairez.com/V2_1/ and http://www.latrastienda.com/  for even more ideas.

So what are you waiting for?? Get out there and enjoy every night to its fullest!

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Buenos Aires Nightlife: 7 days a week and once more for good measure

August 11, 2011   MenteArgentina   2 Comments
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~ The last minute search for a place to go out in Buenos Aires can be much like putting 25 cents into a gumball machine: You know something delicious is bound to come out, and although you have a prefered flavor in mind, its really the gamble and anticipation that leads you to the game in the first place. But Mente Argentina is here to help you learn how to play those gumball odds, rig the machine so that you’re chances of getting the cherry flavor you’re looking for is a little higher. No matter the day of the week, no matter the barrio you find yourself in, BsAs has something going on, and you’re job is to find what and where that is! Like most study abroad students know, going out is half of the experience in a noctural city like Buenos Aires. So we want to remind all those study abroaders that the possibilities are infinite – midnight movies, 4 am theater performances in parks, bands and dancing, poetry slams, and parades – these are some of the activities that go on every single day and night here. The night life is more than just going out; it is a cultural experience, rich with opportunities, excitement, and an important way of understanding how travlers and porteños alike live, no matter what form that nightlife takes on.

No matter what day your internship meets, when you have spanish classes, what time your cooking or photography course takes place, there are always students, Mente-ers and non, who are ready to discover something new about the nightlife of Buenos Aires. This is one of the most beautiful things about studying abroad in Buenos Aires. We’ve gotten lots of requests for bar and club suggestions, thus here we are filling that void! Now, every study abroad student finds their favorite digs in Buenos Aires, but some fellow subjetivity has always helped us in our searches for a good night. We at Mente Argentina have decided to impart our abounding Baires wisdom, crosslisted and categorized according to any and everyone’s potential need. Read on readers! ~

Some Favorites: Mentionable Bars

  • Milión - Paraná 1048. A classier option for any night of the week, Milión has great lighting, delicious drinks, beautiful people, and a continually upbeat energy. Check out the garden in back, like Narnia after dark!
  • Le Bar – Tucumán 422. In the middle of the financial district, Le Bar is tucked around a corner full of live music and hip outfits. Three floors up is a beautiful terrace where rogue acoustic guitar players can often be spotted in the graffiti doused ambiance. Great for discovering the local music scene! Not to be missed.
  • Van Koning: Baez 325, in Las Cañitas. Finally! One of the great beer bars in Buenos Aires, get ready to try several foreign brews and others that are distant cousins of the national quilmes family. Local and imported drinks, plus, and most importantly, the dark woods and the antique feel makes the bar look like the inside of a boat. All aboard.
  • El Federal: Carlos Calvo 599. Classic San Telmo bar with porteño drinks, porteño foods, porteño style, and porteño people-watching. For a happy hour break or a mid-day snack, El Federal is casual and comfortable, making for easy drinking and dining.
  • Bar Seis: Armenia 1676. Palermo Soho is chalk full of bars, so walking around any time of the day will always lead you to some great classy bars. Bar Seis is one of those finds, mixing the warehouse feel with a comfortable classy interior. It specializes in whiskey and whiskey cocktails. The low lighting, comfortable couches, and art make it all cohesive for a casual evening with friends.
  • Gibraltar: Perú 895. Pool tables in the back, curries and asian based foods, and cheap beer by the pint, Gibraltar brings in loads of people all night. The backyard patio is perfect during the summertime and it’s friendly bartenders and patrons fill the place with laughter and conversation all times of year.
  • Jah Bar: Thames 1335. Reggae vibes, drinks, great terrace and on certain days there’s not a foreigner in sight. The music can get pretty loud so sometimes conversation can come to an impasse, but it’s a primo people-watching sight which makes up for any potential silence!
  • Carnal: Niceto Vega 5511. Right on the edge of palermo hollywood and across the street from Niceto Club, Carnal is a great place to park and have some pre-outting drink, but it somehow always seems to turn into a whole night affair. A fine mix of all types of people and some creative drink specials, but most importantly, the upstairs terrace is beautiful and always bumpin with people. If you get there early you can have dinner and stay for drinks, thus claiming yourself a table before it gets too crowded.
  • Espacio Dada: Borges 1655. A market during the day time, this warehouse bar caught my attention only because it would be chalk full of people in the US or europe, but here, depite the chic concrete walls, the art, and the disassemble-able feel to it stays pretty low key. Most surpringly, its right off the Plaza Serrano circle where most bars come to breed similiarity, but Dada offers a great little whaa? to your everyday yeah. Lots of shows that you can look up on their blog.
  • Acabar: Honduras 5733. Cool casual bar with cheap drinks, tons of bizarre games, and some classic bar food. Acabar is great to come to with a ton of friends, and a surefire way to make others. Get ready to hear lots of porteños playing local drinking games, and get even more ready to get roped into them!
  • Cilantro: Tomás de Anchorena 1122. Thrown in because it’s this authors home base, Cilantro is a great little space, and implicitly an israeli bar. Their happy hour deals are great and on wednesdays they have a “Funky Miercoles” with major discounts on creative cocktails. Nice international food options. Also, implicit parties and shows start all the time, and you will definately make friends with all the staff!

How bizzare: bars with a twist of ¿?, shaken not stirred

  • El Living: Marcelo T Alvear 1540.Total burn-out feel to it, El Living is the place to go when you’re looking to leave the night muttering “what just happened?”. Cheap drinks, couches and tables, and an entire wall plastered with a variety of TVs, high-def, black and white, portables and projectors playing live shows of “classic rock” and classic rock’s distant cousin. Stored unsuspectingly in a house in lower Recoleta, the place weaves around and seems to never end, but great for exploring!
  • La Puerta Roja: Chacbuco 733. Great classic dive-esk bar in San Telmo, lots of people, conversations, and drinks being passed around. Pool tables in the back room, great bartenders, lots of conversation with strangers, and a lively crowd. La Puerta Roja seems to be the start and finish to everyone’s night.
  • Kim y Novak: Guemes y Godoy Cruz. Another unlikely dive bar found in palermo, the place is chalk full of quirk and makes for a great counter-cheto night. Known to be gay friendly, particularly because it’s located in what used to be the red-light district of Buenos Aires. Tons of things to look at on the walls and people to chat with, Kim y Novak puts a great spin on the normal dive bar. Despite the grunge feel, drink prices are still in the palermo range, but as the night gets later the downstairs opens into an intimate dance space so feel free to get there late and stay later.
  • Frank’s Bar: Arévalo 1445. Now, i’ve never been, but this hush hush speakeasy inspired bar is invite only, so ask around until you find a friend of a friend of a sibling’s friend who once went. Located in upper Palermo Hollywood, the place is known, but getting inside is the difficult part. According to the blog Inside Buenos Aires you need to “dial a password into a faux-telephone booth which opens the secret door”. Once in, the clandestine atmosphere, in-house sex shop, high class drinks and international DJs will make it so you’ll really believe its prohibition all over again!

Clubs and discounts by day of the week:

Monday nights in Buenos Aires

  • La Bomba del Tiempo: Centro Cultural Konex, Sarmiento 3131. A live percussion show full of surprises that is sure to get you dancing! La bomba is not to be missed, and even if you’ve been once with Mente’s free cultural excursions, every monday proves to be different with this group. Check out our blog post on la Bomba for more details.
  • UNI club: Guardia Vieja 3360. After La Bomba there are several afterparties such as the one at UNI club and other spots close by, so mondays are kept exciting in the Abasto barrio.
  • Club Severino: Hipólito Yrigoyen 851. Every monday Club Severino has their popular party for those who want to start the week off right. A mix of rock, pop, hip hop, kumbia and more! Get in free until 1:30by putting yourself and your friends on the list!
  • La Cigale: 25 de Mayo 597. Every monday, La Cigale hosts live local music in their event “Los lunes están de moda”. Hidden in the financial district, La Cigale is originally a french bar that is popular with the alternative and grunge scene in Buenos Aires. The place is energizing and hip inside, and a good option to seeing other sides of the music scene in Buenos Aires.

Tuesday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Hype: Kika Club, Honduras 5339. Tuesday nights are packed with party goers in this popular Palermo boliche. Take a nice stroll from the bar-packed scene in Plaza Serrano where many foreigners get a pre-club drink or two, and then hit up club Hype. Get in free until 2:00 am by emailing your guestlist to CLUBKIKA@HOTMAIL.COM, or check out their other discounts on the Kika Club facebook page
  • +160: Bahrein, Lavalle 345. One of this author’s personal favorites, Bahrein on tuesdays is an incredible scene: the music, the place, the people, all invade your senses and insure an incredible night. The music that they call Drum n Bass seems more like a mix with Drum n Bass, Techno, and Dubstep. Get in free until 2:00 am by emails your guestlist to YO_DJR@HOTMAIL.COM and tell themat the door that you’re on the “lista de dulce julieta”, or check out their other discounts on the Bahrein Free Passes facebook page. Careful, because the line can get pretty huge, so if you want to get in for free make sure you get there with some time! Maybe check out Le Bar around the corner on Tucumán 422 for some drinks and live music before checkin out the club
  • Jobs Bar: Arenales 2932. Jobs bar is a great place to get together with friends, grab a few drinks, and play some games. Known for its pool, darts, ping pong, jenga, and other great outdated boardgames, it’s also popular because of the  Tuesday night drink specials: 3 beers for 15 pesos. Jobs is perfect for a casual night out.

Wednesday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Club Zizek: Niceto Club, Niceto Vega 5510. Niceto Club is known for its parties in Buenos Aires. Wedsneday nights, Niceto club is host to Zizek Club, which serves as a showcase  for new, upcoming, and particularly under music that is breakin into the more professional scene playing all over the city. Checking out their websites (zzkrecords.com and whatsupbuenosaires.com)  is great to get information and discounts by emailing their organizers and putting your name on the list!
  • Terrazas del Este: Avenida Costanera Norte y Sarmiento.  This club is continually praised for it’s scene and music on saturday nights, and now its also known for its wednesday after-office party, bringin the funk back to hump day. Full of all different types of music split into separate rooms, thrown onto the terrace, The after-office starts early (around 7 pm) for dinner and drinks, and then goes late into the night. The facebook page fills you in on upcoming events, and by emailing GusReyTerrazas@hotmail.com with your guestlist, girls get in free and guys get a discount until 2:30!
  • Asia de Cuba:  Pierina Dealessi 750. A higher end club in Puerto Madero, lines get going early in the night (around 1:00 am), and it seems that everyone knows someone which gets you a free entrance. The place is higher end, and is a restaurant before it turns into a club. Great bar with really nice drink options, but the prices can be higher. check out promotions and discounts on their facebook page .

Thursday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Club Lost: Club Araoz, Araoz 2424. Club Araoz gets jam packed on thursdays with their hip hop night, that brings in all types of people. Plenty of foreigners and the hip-hop-ers of Buenos Aires get together and rock out to impressive mashups of oldschool hip hop, top 40s, classics, underground music, and reggaeton. The crowd stays here very late, and this is one of those places where it seems everyone is having a great time. It may be the music, the drinks, but either way, you cant fight the beat. Their facebook page also offers promotions and free entrances if you do a little scavenging on their wall. Make sure to keep an eye out for promoters’ names you can drop at the door.
  • Club 69: Niceto Club, Niceto Vega 5510. Like we said earlier, Niceto Club is known for its weekly parties. Thursday nights may very well be one of their biggest and best in Buenos Aires. Niceto Club turns into Club 69, a semi-gay club, most of the draw because of their popular transvestite show they have. The double level dance club is a mix of all kinds of music, mostly connected through techno mashups, but everyone lets loose when theyre here. Niceto club offers all kinds of discounts every day on their website linked above and on their facebook as well

Friday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Roxy Disco: Arcos del Sol, Avenida Casares 4000. Roxy is a nice alternative to throw into the mix. For those who are lookin to jam out to some rock and roll, Roxy is the place to be. Fridays and Saturdays get started at 1:30 , but reaching late into the night, many locals flood to this Rock n Roll haven. It has the benefit of being mostly for porteños, and hardly any tourists. But be ready to dance and put talking on a hold, the music blasts relentlessly, the scene is much more casual and promises a great time that will add to your typical club experience here. Sign up for free passes and discounts here, usually free for ladies and discounted entrance for men until 1:30.
  • The Basement Club: Shamrock Bar, Rodríguez Peña 1220. Shamrock is a casual Irish pub that offers a relaxed scene and draws in a really friendly crowd that you will surely meet, chat with, buy rounds with, and enjoy getting to know! But downstairs, especially Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the basement turns into an intimate club with cheap drinks,  live DJs, good tunes, and, most importantly, a disco ball. You could spend all night there, from the pre-drink, to the club, and the afterclub wind-down; i know i have.
  • Voodoo Motel:  Dorrego 1735. A great mix of all types of tunes, electronic, house, hip-hop, reggaeton, sometimes punk and rock, and many live performances. The place is new and a great place to check out. Free events found on their facebook page and if you sign up for their list, plus entrance is usually free until 2:00 am. Great for trying out something new!

Saturday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Terrazas del Este: Avenida Costanera Norte y Sarmiento. One of the favored clubs in the Costanera section of the city, Terrazas del Este is always a good time on saturday nights. The place is enormous and spread across several different rooms, each playing a different genre of music, plus the outside terrace and gazebo make it an incredible club during the summer! Like all the clubs on the Costanera strip (and there are many a club over there), the only way to get there is via Taxi, and getting back can cost you if you catch a cab straight from the club, so if you’re willing to wait longer across the street you can get a better price on your way back. The facebook page fills you in on upcoming events, and by emailing GusReyTerrazas@hotmail.com with your guestlist, girls get in free and guys get a discount until 2:30!
  • Pácha: Avenida Costanera R. Obligado. Pácha is actually a chain, known from its famous location in Ibiza Spain. Everyone who has been says it’s a must see, but it can be a little more pretentious than other options. Pácha does, however, bring in a lively crowd and some great international DJs, is home to a number of bars, and is a great view with its patio and location right on the river. It opens at 1:30 on Saturdays. Look for promoters on their facebook page, and check out the website for new events coming up!
  • Crobar: Avenida Libertador 3883. Right off the palermo park, Crobar is a classic popular place. It doesnt offer much more than it promises, but what it does promise is good dance music and lots of people swaying to the tune of a Saturday, and you’re sure to stay out until the early morning. Send your guestlist to inforcrobar@yahoo.com.ar and see what kind of discounts you get for the night and check out new happenings on their facebook.
  • Fugees 99: Bolivar 1190. A san telmo after-club club, Fugees has similar jams as Lost, hip hop and rap, breakdancing, cheap drinks, but whats more important is its much more underground, and that brings an implicity VIP feel to your night. Girls are free before 1 am, but word is it doesnt really get started until much later, cerca 4:00 am. Get ready for a long night out.

Sunday nights in Buenos Aires

  • Amerika: Gascón 1040. One of the biggest gay clubs in Buenos Aires, it is popular among all people and is very “straight friendly” aka its full of all types and sexual orientations.  GREAT techno music on both dance floors that gets your feet and body moving! Thursdays and Sundays its a 50 pesos entrance that includes an open bar (4 of them to be exact) until 4 or 5 am which is very worth the price, and fridays and saturdays it hikes up to 80 pesos, so sunday is a favored choice. It opens at midnights but you’re sure to dance right into monday morning.
  • Bar One: Aldolfo Alsina 940. Now i’ve never been but the blog Gringo in Buenos Aires recommends this for your sundays. House music, 4 story big screen projecting images that are sure to trip you out and go nicely with the strobe lights, this is the place to counteract the low-key feel that Sundays have claimed to be.

Useful Sites: Great sites to guide you to exactly what you’re looking for, all day, every day

Pick Up The Fork: A favorite Baires Blog of mine, this post has GREAT bar and happy hour suggestions!

Gringo in Buenos Aires: another good expat Baires Blog, good suggestions for day/nighttime niches.

Nile Guide: not to common late night suggestions

Vuenos Airez: daily activities, promos, always up to date

Página 12 – suplemento NO: mostly live music, great for finding local bands!

Whats Up Buenos Aires: parties and live music

Festivales de Buenos Aires – Ciudad de Buenos Aires: free government activities and festivals

Rachel Sherman

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Photography in Buenos Aires

July 21, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
graffiti

Buenos Aires is truly urban in all sense of the term. An international capital with a variety of cultural capital seeping out of in every nook and cranny of the city, making this city the it destination for the artistic community. Photographers and photography students looking to dabble in photo courses flood here because of the notably distinct mix of culture found in Buenos Aires: a beautiful balance of European and Latin American culture, activists and art, conservatives and liberals, which turns the city streets into every photographer’s playground.

Street art: Buenos Aires is known to be the political graffiti capital of the world. It is impossible to walk down any street and see walls, sidewalks, dumpsters, even street signs unmarked, left colorless. But the graffiti culture here is respected as something much more than marking territory – it is also viewed as a thriving street art scene, making every saunter down the road much like a free gallery tour. It began in the 1950s mostly as a form of political expression particularly during a moment of political censorship, but at this time a more aesthetic form of graffiti began to come about. During the dictatorship, street art virtually disappeared but came back gradually in the 90s, and particularly in the year 2001 directly after the financial crises, the streets were suddenly bursting with art of all sorts. The importance of documenting this ephemeral impermanent art has been getting increasingly more attention, and the photography opportunities are endless! You’ll get to hear the full story of the street art movement on the buenos aire graffiti tour, one of  our free cultural activities for study abroad buenos aires students.

Protests: Protests, marches, demonstrations, are a common day occurrence in the city. For a student or intern in Buenos Aires interested in politics or civic action, Buenos Aires is a goldmine of public demonstrations and expression. But these protests are an incredible opportunity to document some of the more charged emotions, anger, excitement, passion, dedication. The protests make for an automatic storyline, and give photographers a chance to record the more pressing issues porteños and argentines face every day while capturing a huge section of their culture. Photographers find this public political culture the best opportunity for the budding photography student!

 

Architecture: The historic city of Buenos Aires still wears much of its history on it’s most outer layer. The architecture noticed in the buildings is a constant mix of old and new, redone or renovated, Italian, French, portugues, Latin American, decorative, functional, and everything in between. The older buildings that catch the photographers eye come from the cities beginnings and early population growth dating back often to the 1880s and early 1900s. During this time, Buenos Aires was one of the richest, most popular, fasting growing cities in the world. It still sports the original architectural design and immigration history. To see some of the iconic areas, photographers like to stroll down the streets of San Telmo or Av. Alvear, through sections of la Boca and historic preservation districts like parts of Caballito. Check out this article and video to find out more about the history. But because of this urban mix and historical overcoat the Buenos Aires wears, it catches the photography students mind and eye.

Fashion: Unlike a lot of urban centers, Buenos Aires residents and visitors alike parade through the streets in a bold pool of color, shape, and design. Down with the grey flannel suit they yell, enough with the black peacoat! All of us study abroad-ers here have had the experience at one point or another, after a long enough stay. We walk into a store, pick up an article of clothing that would never catch ones attention back home, or only would to make a joke about it, and take it to the counter to ring it up. I remember the first time vividly, looking at the store clerk and asking him what he thought, and he simply smiled and told me in soft Spanish what would loosely translate as, “honey, this is Buenos Aires, anything flies.”  Buenos Aires fashion is noticeable and shows a huge part of the city that photographers can’t ignore: the people. They sport their outfits with pride, and being such a dynamic city brings out an equally if not more dynamic look. Check out some staples that you’ll notice in street fashion from BsAs!


 

 

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Mente’s mente on Mate – the magical drink

June 03, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
mate

In a city like Buenos Aires that really never sleeps, one starts to wonder what keeps the porteño motor running all day long? When studying abroad in Argentina, you have to learn the ways to wake and KEEP you up: stay sharp for your spanish classes, fit in with your porteño classmates and coworkers at your universities and interships in Buenos Aires, and still have time to drink in this city.  One of their secrets is found in the world of Mate (ma-tay), a traditional and tastey south american drink, if you can handle it. Mente Argentina gives you some basics on Buenos Aires culture, beverage, and how you can take it all in, through a nifty little straw!

  • What is it?: Mate, which is actually the name of the gourd that is used to drink out of, is a sort of tea, made of dried, chopped, and ground leaves called yerba. Although mate can can be bought in a tea bag form (called mate cocido), it is hardly the same drink. Mate can be drinken alone, but it is very much associated with the mate culture that shapes argentina. You will probably see it passed around as much in the streets and parks as you do in your argentine universities and interships in Buenos Aires!
  • Mate has three essential parts to it. the mate- the gourd/cup used to hold the drink, the yerba- the tea that you pour into the mate, and the bombilla- the metal or sometimes straw, slotted straw that is used to sip.
  • What does it taste like?: if you havent had mate before you may be in for a surprise. But, while studying abroad in Buenos Aires, mate is an experience you won’t be able to miss. It can be very strong and bitter, and carries an earthy taste. Many have to get accustomed to mate
  • How do you drink it? Every region (and really every mate drinker) has their own specific method of preparing mate, but the basics for argentina are almost always the same:
  1. before using any mate, you have to cure it. Curing a mate is meant to get a better taste out of the drink as well as assured that the mate will last longer. If your mate is made out of a gourd, generally the first step is to wet the inside and try to remove the loose gourd particles. Then, whether your mate is wood or gourd, the key to curing is pouring yerba in the mate, adding hot water, and letting it sit for 24 hours. The mate will then absorb the water getting ride of any other tastes that will taint its future use. Then simply dump the yerba, clean out the mate, and let it dry.
  2. fill the mate about 3/4 of the way with yerba.
  3. place your hand over the top of the mate covering the hole entirely and shake it back and fourth. This is to get rid of the extra powder or polvo so the mate doesnt taste chalky. shake the polvo off your hands and repeat this step several times. Then shake side to side to settle the yerba.
  4. Bring the mate to an angle so that the yerba is at a slant in the  cup, anthe lower the mate back to normal level.
  5. Put the bombilla in the dry mate at the lower end of the slope of the yerba at a semi/diagonal angle so that its ends is at the deeper side of the mate resting at an angle.
  6. Add cold water almost to the top of where the yerba sits and allow the yerba to absorb the water. this protects the mate from being burnt.
  7. Now pour hot water (below boiling tempurature) in, down bombilla and sip out of the bombilla. Keep adding water without throwing out the yerba until the drink loses its flavor becoming lavado.

**Do not move the bombilla! Some mate drinkers such as uruguayan move the bombilla so that that you drink a fresher section every time it becomes lavado. However, in buenos aires this is less common. Unless the mate-drinker you’re with does, do no move the bombilla!!**

  • What is the Mate culture?: Mate is generally driken in groups, among family, friends, and in a variety of social settings. The mate is passed around, each person drinking the water out and passing the mate back to the server to refill and pass it on to others. Take out that Mente Argentine Mate you got on your first day and inaugurate it for breakfast, pass it around when hanging with other study abroad students in your apartment, dabble in the uruguayan style and even drink it on the go!
  • Why do you drink it?: Aside from mate being part of a tradition and a popular beverage here, it has a natural stimulant, similar to cafeine, called mateina. Mate is often driken here like coffee would be, in the mornings or during the afternoons to give you some extra energy. Mate is also a digestive and has several vitamines and minerals, and has been said to help lower cholestorol!

So, Mente Argentina-ers, take out that beautiful mate we gave to you oh so long ago, invite over all your friends, and follow these steps so that you too can drink your mate while studying and working abroad! You know what they say, when in Baires, do as the porteños do (do they say that?)

Rachel Sherman

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Breakfast in Buenos Aires

September 13, 2010   MenteArgentina   1 Comment
panaderia
One thing study abroad students often notice is that breakfast in Buenos Aires is a drastically different animal than many european and north americans are accustomed to. Often, breakfast constitues a quick matecito or some tostados con queso crema hile running out the door. And while the waffles and pancakes and eggs play less of a role here, they DO have a delicious morning treat that is hard to compete with: Facturas
Facturas literally translated as “bill” or “reciept”, is what the argentine’s call the genre of delicious pastries that they have to offer the morning sweet tooth. These tastey treats are best for those study abroad students and interns on the go: hop out of bed, make yourself a quick cafe and run down the street to the local panadería to grab a quick delicious breakfast before your spanish classes start! Some of these facturas can be easily recognized, and some are absolutely alien looking, but all will twist your mouth into a medialuna shaped sonrisawhich is our favorite way here at Mente Argentina to start our mornings!Here are a few delicious delicacies that you can enjoy and even learn how to cook with our Mente Argentina cooking program in Buenos Aires for a great Argentine breakfast!Facturas fillings:

Dulce de Leche- Dulce de Leche is a type of caramel, a sticky and sweet Argentine specialty that seems to go in and on just about every breakfast, snack and dessert.  Pastries of all shapes and sizes, especially croissants, known as medialunas, are filled with dulce de leche. Every grocery store has at least half an aisle devoted solely to dulce de leche. Right up there with cafe and carne, dulce de leche is an Argentine essential. Spread it on bread, fruit, crepes and just about anything else you can think of! read more about Dulce de Leche and 

Dulce de Mebrillo- This light red jam is subtler than the frutilla (strawberry) or frambuesa (rasberry) jams and makes for a light yet sweet filling for a pastry or spread. Made out of quince fruit grown commonly in the central and northern parts of argentina, it is common for membrillo to be found in or on top of your morning facturas

Crema pastelera- this vanilla flavored cream is found often on tortas and  pasteles (cakes). It is the perfect cream filling to balance out the sweetness of your pastries and we maintain that it makes life more sensible and solves all problems you may have with your loved ones :)

Types of Facturas:

Medialuna de manteka- Literally translated as half moon.  A medialuna is sweet pastry that most people eat with a coffee.  Medialunas are simmilar to a sweet croissant, made with manteka (butter)

Medialuna de grasa -Like a medialuna de manteka but made with oil/fat instead of butter. They are harder but flakier and less sweet and better to dip into your coffee with!

Palmerita- With any sort of appetite the average person could eat at least 20 Palmeritas.  They are coated in sugar, shaped like a heart, and can easilyfit in the palm of your hand, thus making them particularly dangerous!

Churro-Churros are often associate with Mexico and other countries in Central America, but in Argentina they have made quite the hit and taken on a new form. Argentine churros are often filled with dulce de leche or dipped in chocolate, a delcious afternoon snack to dunk in a coffee or capuccino.

Medialuna Rellena- Medialunas rellenas are medialunas (mini croissants, literally meaning half-moon because of their shape) filled with dulce de leche, crema pastelera, and even chocolate. Dangerously rich, dangerously delicious.

Cañoncito-this cylinder shaped pastry is filled with dulce de leche and is then covered in sugar/icing.

Rosquita- This circular deep, deep fried doughnut is covered in sugar and sometimes dulce de leche is added as well.

Bola de Fraile- my personal favorita, this is an unassuming little pastry that will blow your mind! This is a delcious fried doughnut filled with dulce de leche and covered in sugar. For a bad, mediocre, or excellent day, Bola de Fraile will always top if off just right.

Find out how to cook/bake your own facturas and their filling through our culinary courses in Argentine cuisine through Mente Argentina’s study abroad program, and for those of you already here in Buenos Aires, get yourself to the local panadería to try out the most bizarrely delicious looking factura
¡Buenos Días!

 
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