I have been raving about Argentina- Buenos Aires. And I would continue to rave more. There are lot of pending blog posts. In the meantime, some info about Argentina.
Argentina:
- is the birthplace of Tango, Buenos Aire' s musical symbol which encompasses the musical genre, lyrics and sensual dance style and enjoys worldwide popularity with the ever-evolving gender of neo-tango, a global phenomenon made famous by groups like Gotan Project, Tanghetto and Bajofondo.
- has a very high import duty. Which is the reason you seldom find imported high end brands here. You do not find showrooms of Gucci, Prada, LV, etc etc here. Nor do you come across Zara, Mango, etc. There are few big malls not many. But there are ample number of small shops and boutiques that sell products made in Argentina. Each shop is different from the other. You get to buy unique products. Textile and leather is their prime business. If you are looking for menswear, specially shirts, the quality, designs and prices that you get here are unmatchable. Similarly women's shoes and dresses are things to pick up in Buenos Aires.
- One never sees women carrying high end branded bags- LV's, etc. Not even fake bags like Delhi. The women are gorgeous. They are slim, tall, well dressed, sexy and they wear beautiful clothes and shoes.
- is the eighth largest country in the world, the second largest in Latin America and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations.
- is located in southern South America, with the South Atlantic Ocean to the East and South and the Andes mountain range (home of Mount Aconcagua, the tallest peak in America) to the West.
- ranks as the top tourist destination in South America (and the second in Latin America) with Buenos Aires as the most visited city in South America.
- is the fifth most important wine producer in the world.
- is well know for its barbecues known as "asados" or "parrilladas" which feature various types of meat including the "chorizo" (sausage), "mollejas" (sweetbread), "morcilla" (blood sausage), short ribs and several prime beef small cuts.
- has the greatest red meat consumption "per capita" in the world.
- is home to the most passionate soccer fans in the Americas (if not the world), proud about their national team which has won 25 major international soccer titles including two FIFA World Cups, two Olympic medals and fourteen Copa América's.
- For exchanging your money, there is an official rate and blue rate. Blue rate is not official or legal rate but that is what most of the tourists prefer buying. If you go to Florida street, you will find many people saying "cambio cambio". Which means change. Change your money. Only thing one has to be careful is that sometimes they give fake notes. One must be able to recognize fake notes. And after exchanging money, be careful of being pick pocketed in Florida street.
- has many good shops selling fruits and vegetables. These are small shops and trustworthy.
- has great shops selling breads- panaderia.
- one needs to be on high alert with taxi drivers . They take long routes. They give back fake notes. They deliberately take you to a different place which sounds similar. But apart from that, they are safe.
