Accommodations Buenos Aires

[kikki <hikikki @YAHOO.COM>]

Accommodations in Buenos Aires

rooms @mariatango.com.ar

www.mariatango.com


Let me tell you a little bit about the place where I
stay when I go to Buenos Aires. My friend's name is
Maria Teresa Lopez and she lives in the neighbourhood
of Cabellito.  When you stay with Maria Teresa you
have been invited to stay at her home, not just at
somebody's apartment and that makes a whole lot of
difference to your stay in Buenos Aires.  It means
that everybody who is staying there during the time of
your visit becomes like family and you have the
opportunity to form deep friendships with people from
all over the world.

The apartment is comfortable with rooms of various
sizes, each carrying the name of a tango associated
with memories and the history of that particular
space.  As in many other homes around the world, the
kitchen is a place to gather and share a meal or a
glass of wine.  It is also the place for the early
morning ritual of tangueras soaking feet in icewater
after a night of dancing in the milongas while winding
down to catch a few hours of sleep - all while
listening to the rest of the building slowly stirring
to start another day.

The balcony is a lovely place to listen to the birds
and see some of the local flowers and foilage among
and in between the other buildings.  In the summer
laundry dries quickly here and in other seasons there
are several places to have your laundry done within
the block.

The noticeboard in the hallway is where to find out
about classes and milongas and other current events in
the city.  The guest phone enables you to keep in
touch with newfound friends and to check on anything
locally.  Should you need to call internationally, the
locotoria across the street is open until 11 pm most
days.

In the tourist binder you will find information on
many places of interest such as La Boca, San Thelmo,
Recoleta, Mataderos etc.; including direction on how
to get there via collectivo (bus .70c) or subte
(subway 60c). The automate on the bus will take a peso
and return change, the token for the subte can be
purchased by every entrance.

The collectivo runs 24 hours every day and is fast and
effective with stops just about outside the door.  The
speed is like with all traffic in Buenos Aires fast
and furious so it is a good idea to always have a firm
hold on something to keep upright.

The subte line A with stops at Rio de Janeiro or
Acoyte is the oldfashion line.  It is easy to imagine
a scene from an Ingrid Bergman/Humphrey Bogart movie
looking at the dark woodpanels and mirrors on the
walls and real lightfixtures in the ceilings.  Another
very genuine albeit not always comfortable experience
in Buenos Aires.

For more convenient transportation there are also the
everpresent taxis crawling alongside the streets to be
hailed at a moment's notice.  The price is reasonable,
many drivers are also tangueros and listen to the
tango radio station.  I have found most drivers
friendly and open to conversation even when they are
faced with the most basic knowledge of the Spanish
language and so they make great teachers.

As everywhere in big cities though, it is better to
move around with awareness of your surroundings so
that if a situation feels uncomfortable it is possible
to quickly recognize it.

The neighbourhood of Caballito is safe and friendly
and has everything you might need.  The kiosko outside
the apartment door is open endlessly it seems, turn to
the right (on Rosario St) and you will find the
supermarket a couple of doors down, open til 9pm most
nights.  For bigger selection go across the Parque
Rivadavia to Disco (on Rivadavia St).

Delicity across the street (Rosario) is a convenient
cafe with delicious facturas (pastries) - try
medialunas manteca - and good coffee.  Special
combinations makes for reasonable cost and the
newspaper Clarin can be read for free.

Turn left and at the corner (Rosario/Doplas) you will
find the flower stand, also open it seems all through
the night in case you have a sudden urge to give
somebody fresh flowers.  The owner, like most people
there is friendly and caring and will make sure you
have your bags closed when you leave so as not to
invite unwanted attention and his dog, especially if
you are a woman will accompany you to the door!

Just around the corner is restaurant Petra's (Doplas).
Good food, reasonably priced, very friendly service -
just like family.  If you want to try some Argentinian
postres (deserts) flan is always available and if you
find that you like the everpresent dulce de leche, try
panequece dulce de leche - a wonderful taste
sensation.

Argentinian meat provides wonderful sustenance for all
tango dancers.  Try bife de lomo at Petra's and at a
time when you  have a few hours free, the parilla
libre (BBQ) called Free Way down the street on Ave de
Plata (turn right from Rosario and walk half a block)
can easily keep you occupied eating for 3 hours.  A
great place to go to visit with friends and to
celebrate just being fortunate enough to dance tango
in Buenos Aires!  (Price varies depending on
day/evening and weekday/weekend, check sign in
window.)

There are many other places to eat well, from Retablo
at the corner of Rosario/Ave de Plata, try the focacia
bread with the rocquefort/butter spread and plain
grilled chicken with lemon, to Plaza Carmen in the
corner of Ave de Plata/Rivadavia at the subte stop Rio
de Janeiro.

Should you need to fix your shoes - turn right on
Senillosa and you will find a zapateria.  Walk another
couple of blocks and find a great place for leather
bags and suitcases.  A little further is Carmen's
hairsalon.  I have always been pleased with the
result.

Fruit and vegetables, there are several stands and
little shops, a fine fresh fish store on Ave de Plata
on the way to subte.  Drugstore, to the left across
Doplas or on Ave de Plata.

There are several banks on Rivadavia but getting money
can sometimes be an experience as the machines do not
always have cash in them and the connection with North
America is not always trouble free.  Suffice to say
that just because your card does not work, does not
mean there is anything wrong with it.  Try again or
somewhere else.  As well it is a good idea to carry
small change as it always seems to be in short supply.

There is lots more in the neighbourhood and it is fun
to explore.  Just wanted to give you a little taste of
being there.

Enjoy your stay,  abrazos  kikki























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