	Home
	Newsletter
	RSS Map
	Privacy Policy
	Contact Us
Search



Newsletter
Your name
Your E-mail
We will never expose your E-Mail address or offer it to any third party

Buenos Aires – Motherland of Tango.

comments (0)	article print view publisher send to friends add to favorites post comments
Travel Articles >> City Travel Travel Articles >> Locations >> Latin America >> Argentina >> Buenos Aires

“Don’t cry for me, Argentina!” – once you imagine this country you will certainly recollect the aria of Jevity Peron from the same-name rock opera. It is not a secret that in many people’s consciousness the Argentine is associated with Latin American brightness and glamour, with samba and rumba, and certainly with tango.

The Argentine is often called the silver country, and its capital Buenos Aires – the second Paris. This similarity is rather illusive though, and it is hardly possible to see many narrow streets, which Paris is famous for, in Buenos Aires. In spite of this the capital of the Argentine is full of the finest elegancy, style, culture and entertainments. This port city situated in the South-North of the plateau La Plata has been a kind of gates to the Argentine for many centuries, its special atmosphere, being created by so many years, as well as historical monuments and sceneries, captivate everybody who arrives there.

“Porteños”, local residents of Buenos Aires, take pride of Avenida 9 de Julio – the widest avenue that is also the street with the highest density traffic. “Colectivos” – small buses with drivers famous for their extremely aggressive but confident manner of driving – have become the symbol of hasty energetic life in this city. Emotional comments of driver sound in tightly squeezed car saloon and interfere in traveling thinking of every passenger.

The most famous obelisk of South America rises skywards in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio, its height is up to 70 metres, and namely it has become the emblem of Buenos Aires, it was built in commemoration of the first though unsuccessful founding of the city and symbolizes the spirit of nation of those uneasy times.

The historical centre of the city is in Plaza de Mayo. A special atmosphere of antiquity emanates from paved streets, churches, museums and lampposts. Governmental buildings and the main cathedral are located in the square, and nowadays the diverse important events with hundred thousand participating Argentineans constantly take place in the square.

Actually, the structure of Buenos Aires is as very diversified and various as the culture of the city, because European heritage is sensed here via architecture and lifestyle more than in any other country of South America.

To feel and enter the real life of Buenos Aires, to sense the similar and at the same time different atmosphere of the city, you should necessarily start an exciting journey and take a prowl round its very different districts.

Working class area will break upon you in San Telmo and La Boca routes. Restored colonial houses of San Telmo are now the harbor for artists and handicraft masters of highest qualification. Actually San Telmo district is a true touch with history. Traditional ancient shops, paved streets undoubtedly add more flavour. La Boca's compacted houses made of wood and tin are painted with a rainbow of colors and represent original decorations for holidays. Museums, workshops take you in the world of arts and culture, being so laboriously established year in year out during many years.
Recoleta district sparkles with the niceties of France. French influence is felt due to architecture here. Everything creates the feeling of staying in France: expensive shops, first-class restaurants, legendary cemetery, built in romantic style of the 18th century, art museum and ice palace Palais de Glace.

Puerto Madero represents the atmosphere of modernity and the 21st century. Office buildings, luxurious five-star hotels, houses, shops, exclusive villas.

Districts that are so different as to the form and character have some likeness of details. A counterpoint in Buenos Aires is expressed in modern glass-sheathed skyscrapers that are at ease to cast their slender shadows on 19th century Victorian houses.

To fully understand and feel the city’s pulse is possible only via almost elusive spirit of the Argentine – via national dance that, as nothing else, reveals the character and essence of the Argentine soul. Its great passion, refinement, lyricism, elegance of every lilt and at the same time improvisation reflect the whole romance of feelings and show the unity and closeness of the overall rhythm. “The Day of Tango” is held on the 11th of December in Buenos Aires. People dance tango in disco clubs, parks, dancing halls, open squares, they dance tango in the streets in the evenings, compete for the best pair performing classical and stage tango (Tango de Escenario).

Nightlife in Buenos Aires keeps up until the morning. Due to night cinemas and theatres the city never sleeps and it is possible to walk and enjoy it day and night. There are many restaurants with traditional tango rhythms in the city.

In fact the theme of cafes is an essential part of the city’s culture where all really worthy places are occupied from breakfast to supper. Interestingly, it is unlikely that somewhere else in the world people can drink espresso as long as in the Argentine. But none from waiters will hasten the client, - here everything is done with taste, without any hurry, enjoying every sip. It is like the Argentineans enjoy the flavour of life itself.
Since the middle of XVI century mate has become a part of culture on the Río de la Plata territory. Mostly American Indians consumed it in those times. And today it is hardly possible to find a person in the Argentine who would not gladly drink matecito (matecito is a sip of mate). It is drunk in any time with some lemon, orange peel added, sweet, bitter and in many other variations. This drink became a symbol of invitation to a friendly conversation, hospitality and warm disposition.

Buenos Aires masters the rhythm of life for the whole Argentine and every day it dances in the most beautiful and passionate rhythm – the rhythm of tango!

[Get This Article]

	Most Viewed Articles in City Travel, Locations:Latin America:Argentina:Buenos Aires categories:
	Buenos Aires – Motherland of Tango.

This article has been viewed 252 time(s).
Article Submitted On: September 25, 2007