Winter is dragging on and I have some free time in March. The idea of escaping the frosty temperatures has been forming in my mind for a while now. So when a friend of mine invites me to Buenos Aires I jump at the opportunity. I book a 13 hour flight, I look up how to get to the city, transfer money to pick it up once I am there and download an offline map. It does not need lots of preparations to start this journey.

I love discovering the different neighbourhoods of the city. Belgrano, Palermo, San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta and so many more, whose names I cannot remember. A lot of places feel quite European and it is easy to see these influences in the architecture. I love the mix of South American and European. Everywhere I turn there is so much to see and discover. And when it gets too hot there is always a restaurant or café nearby for a refreshing stop. I love speaking Spanish and

After a few days I have gotten to know the area around the apartment in Belgrano and I feel quite at home. A quick metro or bus ride brings me to anywhere in the city and from there I can explore further.

Recoleta

A walking tour through Recoleta gives me a first impression of the city. The beautiful buildings remind me of Paris. I love learning about the history of the city, about the influence immigration has had on the society, architecture and cuisine and today‘s trials. One thing I notice directly is the green. The streets are often lined with trees and little parks or plazas are to be found throughout the city. 

After the walking tour I stop in a small café and I observe the world passing by. It is lovely to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the warm temperatures.

San Telmo

The Sunday market in San Telmo is a big event. Small stalls line the Calle Defensa on both sides. Different handicrafts are being sold and it is fascinating to see what the stalls have on offer. We meet a few friends and dive into the crowds. The iron market hall of San Telmo Mercado hosts a whole variety of food stalls and small restaurants. It is hot and crowded and I love the atmosphere. We manage to get a table and settle down for a refreshing drink.

The Bookshop

One thing I really want to see is the El Ateneo Splendid bookshop. It is housed in a former theatre and still displays all the Art Décor charms of its former glory. Browsing in a bookshop is pure pleasure for me anyways, and the theatrical atmosphere adds to it. The café on the former stage area is just as spectacular as the book shelves along the ranks. The view from up here is wonderful. I love it here.

Palermo

For dinner we usually go out. There are so many restaurants to choose from. The popular steak places are just as good as some of the smaller places. Palermo has so many bars, cafés and restaurants to offer that my 10 days do not suffice to experience everything.

Palermo seems to me to be the busiest of the neighbourhoods that I have visited. Older buildings are interspersed with more modern buildings. And the cobblestone streets add to the historic charm. Many graffiti adorn buildings and make walking down the streets a very colourful experience. The next ice cream place is never far away and so a delicious dessert is always just a short walk away. Before dinner we often stop for a drink somewhere. And an empanada always makes for a delicious snack during the day.

The view

One night we go to a bar with a rooftop terrace close to the Río de la Plata. The sun is slowly vanishing behind the cityscape turning everything golden. And in the other direction the moon is shining over the river. It us almost full moon and the water shines silver. As it gets darker the lights on the other side of the river in Uruguay become visible. Buenos Aires seems vast from up here. The whole city stretches in front of us. The lights in the surrounding buildings shine and the Obelisque down the street changes its colours frequently. We are having a wonderful time up here.

The parks

There are so many parks in Buenos Aires. I love botanical gardens for the tranquillity they provide. Almost all benches are occupied but I find one and settle down with my book. The iron and glass hothouse peeks through the green trees and ads so much charm to the place. The green shade provides a comfort from the piercing sunshine and I rest for quite a while.

The floralis genérica is in a small park. The huge steel flower opens in the morning and closes its petals in the evening. I enjoy the shade sitting on one of the wooden sunbeds for quite a while. My stay in Buenos Aires is very relaxed and unrushed. I observe the birds and butterflies around me; I read my book and observe the goings on around me.

There are so many more parks with ponds and they get especially busy in the afternoons and on the weekends. The reserva ecológica costanera sur is another one of these green gems. I sit by the river a bit and follow the precise navigation of a huge cargo ship into the harbour. The name of the citizens of Buenos Aires is „porteños“ and shows exactly how important the port is for the city. On my walk along the shore I spot a lizard along the path. That reminds me so much of the botanical garden in Singapore.

La Boca

La Boca is a neighbourhood to the south of the city and maybe best known for the football club Boca Juniors. I am interested not so much in the football but in the colourful houses, the history and artists of the area.

The moment I exit the bus at the waterfront I get engulfed in the noise and the heat and the colours. The walking tour starts right by El Caminito. You can take your photo with either Maradona impersonators, with the National Football Trophy or Tango dancers. There are handicrafts on offer and restaurants’ terraces line the streets. Tango performances happen right here in the middle of the street.

La Boca was the first port of arrival for many immigrants. Lots of houses were built from old parts of ships and then sprayed in bright red, yellow, green or blue.

I get quickly swept up in the atmosphere and love the tour.

Tigre

Tigre makes for a lovely trip from the capital. The delta is green and lush, and the brown rivers and canals form a contrast to the blue sky and green nature.

On a river cruise I learn that the houses on the islands are served by supermarket, ambulance and trash picking up boats. It is great fun to explore the canals and see the houses along the shore.

My main pleasure is sitting by the water and reading or simply looking out over the water. The only downside is the mosquitos. After a long winter I have forgotten all about mosquitos and their bites quickly remind me of how annoying they are.

The evening I spend on the rooftop terrace of my rental apartment. The sky slowly grows dark, birds are chirping and the periphery is fringed by palm trees. Stars are twinkling above and I enjoy the peace and quiet. It was a wonderful idea to get away from the city noise for a night.

It was a spontaneous decision to fly half way across the world to discover a new city, visit a friend and enjoy some lovely summer days. Buenos Aires offered me so much and I am so grateful for the experience.