Upon leaving Buenos Aires we had to admit to ourselves that the weather was a real drag and probably colored our perception of the city as a whole. Nonetheless there were a few things that really stood out for us as first time visitors both the good and the poo.
The Good
There is no lack of things to do in this diverse city. Tango shows and classes, opera and symphony performances, shopping and markets, art museums and sculptures – you name it, you got it. The food scene is great with its huge Italian influence and you have a ton of options for moderate prices. Dinner is always done late so if you eat prior to 8 PM you’re sure to have the restaurant to yourself (whether or not that’s a good thing is entirely up to you). The people are very friendly and seemed eager to stop and help you – if you ask – being a big city it’s no surprise that folks move at a city pace but it was very nice to know that most were more than willing to help you find a certain restaurant and offer their opinions on which tango shows were the best.
The Bad (and the Ugly)
DOG POO! It might seem like a small thing, but that shit was everywhere…literally! We had an ongoing bet on who would be the first to step in it (luckily that bet has yet to be called in). The garbage piles on every corner was also an unwelcome surprise that seemed a bit off beat with the general vibe of a bustling city. It also lent some interesting smells to the mix. Now, we have been to some grimy places with some awful smells…but it just seemed different and more offensive with the garbage everywhere.
On the whole we enjoyed our time in Buenos Aires and felt we saw the majority of what the city had to offer. Our favorites were definitely our days spent in San Telmo and La Boca and our night’s spent with Dante, Tango and Mozart. A perfect city for sight seeing and entertainment, just watch where you step.
