There is a gorgeous little live music venue two blocks from my house. Tonight was a magical concert of Argentine folk music - a mix of new and old songs played with heart by some excellent musicians. It was an intimate, gentle gig where you could see the joy in the musicians as they played.
There is street art everywhere in Buenos Aires. The general state of disrepair seems to bring with it an aesthetic freedom for its citizens. There is no doubt that a painting on the wall is more pleasing for everyone than peeling grey paint. In some parts, especially San Telmo where I'm staying, it almost appears
Buenos Aires was in its heyday in the 1920s when the automobile had just become popular. With the advent of cars came the need for garages to service them (particularly since they were frightfully unreliable in the early days of motoring). As the city is still teeming with cars, it should come as no surprise
How lovely it is to have reminders of special people who are no longer with us. For me, these moments happen mostly with music. I was at my tango class today learning how to do graceful ochos (figure eights) and the teacher put on some opera for us to practice to - none other than
Having spent a week dancing in my workhorse shoes from home, this morning I acquired a beautiful pair of tango shoes. Let me be clear: they are not fashionable. They are very old fashioned in the tango world where everyone is wearing strappy, sparkly things with stiletto heels. However, I love them, with their closed
It seems all the streets in the centre of Buenos Aires are one way, alternating. It certainly makes being a pedestrian easier, especially when you're used to driving on the left. Most intersections don't have lights and rely on everybody being considerate - cars, pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles. When it's not so busy (i.e. the
Each day on my way to tango school I walk past the Banco Piano. I like to think they have a vault full of pianos that have been deposited, borrowed against, and withdrawn when desired. Depending on interest rates at the time, your piano might be smaller or bigger than when you deposited it, or
Tango classes are excellent at the Escuela de Tango Mundial de Buenos Aires. Everyday I arrive for a class with a different teacher and I learn something different, but essential. Sometimes we're all beginners, and other times - like today - I'm the only beginner. Most of the men are gracious enough to dance with
This city was in its heyday in the 1920s and 30s, if the architecture is anything to go by. If you have an eye out for it there are little gems of art deco design work around every corner, sandwiched between nondescript buildings, covered over with street art, and often crumbling. On this morning's mission
No, not 'mate' as in your Australian friend, 'mah-tay' as in the Argentinian tea. Everybody drinks it constantly here to the extent that water dispensers have hot water so you can top up your mate on the go. The Yerba Mate plant is a species of the holly genus and is a native of southern