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ADDRESSES These are nearly always written with the name only followed by the street number - thus, San Martin 2443; the only exception is with avenues, where the abbreviation Av. or Avda. appears before the avenue name - thus, Av. San Martin 2443. Pasajes (Pje.) and Bulevares (Bv.) are far less commonplace. The relatively rare abbreviation c/ for calle ("street"), is used only to avoid confusion in a city which has streets named after other cities: thus c/Tucuman 564, Salta or c/Salta 1097, Tucuman. If the name is followed by s/n ( sin numero ), it means the building is numberless, frequently the case in small villages and for larger buildings such as hotels or town halls; we do not include the s/n abbrevation in the addresses we list. Sometimes streets whose names have been officially changed continue to be referred to by their former names, even in written addresses. In most cities, blocks or cuadras go up in 100s, making it relatively easy to work out on a map where house no. 977 or a restaurant at no. 2233 is located. BARGAINING There is no real tradition of haggling, although you can always try it when buying pricey artwork, antiques, etc. Expensive services such as excursions and car rental are obvious candidates for bargaining sessions while hotel room rates can be beaten down, off season, late at night or if you're paying cash ( efectivo ). But try and be reasonable, especially in the case of already low-priced crafts or high-quality goods and services that are obviously worth every centavo. CONSULATES A very large number of countries from all five continents have embassies in Buenos Aires, mostly in the Barrio Norte, but in the provinces few countries maintain consulates. In the big provincial capitals you'll find diplomatic missions representing some other South American countries, along with those European countries with large communities in Argentina, especially Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland, plus the Netherlands. EARTHQUAKES Seismic activity is very much a reality in western and, to a lesser extent, in northwestern Argentina, since the Andes lie along one of the world's most unstable fault lines. Some of the planet's strongest ever quakes have hit the cities of San Juan and Mendoza over the last hundred and fifty years. Since then all buildings have been quake-proofed. It's unlikely that you'll find yourself in a violent tremor but, if ever you do, the first rule is not to panic. Don't use lifts or rush out into the street, whatever you do - this is how most injuries and fatalities are caused. Electricity supplies are programmed to go down if the quake is over five on the Richter scale. ELECTRICITY 220V/50Hz is standard throughout the country. The sockets are two-pronged with round pins, but are different to the two-pin European plugs. Adapters will probably be needed and can be bought at a string of electrical shops along Calle Talcahuano, in Buenos Aires; some but not all of the multi-adaptors on sale at airports will do the trick, so check the instructions. HOMOSEXUALITY The word that best sums up the attitude to gay men and lesbians in Argentina is ambivalence. Discreet relationships are quite well tolerated, but in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic nation any "deviance", including any explicit physical contact between members of the same sex (let alone transvestism or overtly intimate behaviour) will be almost universally disapproved of, to say the least. Violent manifestations of homophobia are rare, however, especially now that the Church and the military have less influence on mores. Gay and lesbian associations are springing up in the major cities, notably in Buenos Aires, where nightlife and meeting places are increasingly open, but rural areas still do their best to act as if homosexuality doesn't exist. The same goes for even the most liberal-minded parents and, in this country where psychotherapy has become a pseudo-religion, don't be surprised to see analysts and "parapsychologists" advertising their "cures" - even in gay magazines. Arbitrary decisions by the mysterious but powerful National Media Commission in recent months have resulted in raids at the offices of NX , the main gay and lesbian magazine (on sale in kiosks in downtown Buenos Aires and other big cities), because it printed pictures of "two men dangerously close to each other". LAUNDRY Most towns and cities have a plentiful supply of laundries ( lavanderias or lavaderos ), especially since not everyone has a washing machine. Laverap is a virtually nationwide chain of laundries and is mostly dependable. Some of them also do dry-cleaning, though you may have to go to a tintoreria . Self-service places are almost unheard of; you normally give your name and leave your washing to pick it up later. Laundry is either charged by weight or itemized, but rates are not excessive, especially compared with the high prices charged by hotels. Furthermore, the quality is good and the service is usually quick and reliable. One important word of vocabulary to know is planchado (ironed). PHOTOGRAPHY Photographic film is not cheap and black-and-white and fast films, especially slides, are not always easy to lay your hands on, though standard film, of all brands, is widespread and reliable. Since fast film is recommended in places like the altiplano, bring a plentiful supply with you, and the same goes for all camera spares and supplies, which sell for exorbitant prices here even in the rare duty-free zones. Developing and printing are usually of high quality but are also quite expensive; slides aren't processed in that many places and black-and-white film won't always be accepted - outside Buenos Aires the situation is extremely erratic. A constant, how ever, is that you should watch out where you take photos: sensitive border areas and all military installations, including many civilian airports, are camera no-go areas, so keep an eye out for signs and take no risks. STUDENT CARDS These are not as useful as they can be in some countries, as museums and the like often refuse to give student discounts. Some bus companies, however, do give a 10-15 percent discount for holders of ISIC cards, as do certain hotels, laundries and outdoor gear shops, and even one or two ice-cream parlours. ASATEJ, Argentina's student travel agency, issues a booklet that lists partners throughout the country. The international student card often suffices for a discount at youth hostels in the country, though membership of the Youth Hostelling Association may entitle you to even lower rates. TELEPHONE JACKS Argentina uses international standard telephone jacks (the same as those used in the USA), compatible with all standard fax and email connections. TIME DIFFERENCES After some confusing experiments with daylight saving and even different time zones within the country, Argentina now applies a standard time throughout the year, nationwide: three hours behind GMT. TIPPING Apart from the odd rounding up of taxi fares, for example, tipping is not common in Argentina. Restaurant bills increasingly include a percentage for service but any extra gratuity ( propina ) is discretionary. That said, Portenos have always traditionally tipped when eating or drinking out - recent austerity seems to have killed that custom off, or at least curtailed it. TOILETS Occasionally central city squares include public toilets among their facilities, but otherwise public toilets or banos (men: caballeros, hombres, varones or senores ; women: damas, mujeres or senoras ), are very few and far between. The toilets in modern shopping malls tend to be spick and span and are often the best place to head for. In bars and cafes the toilets are usually of an acceptable standard and not all establishments insist that you buy a drink, though you may be made to feel you should (the legal position is unclear). It's worth knowing that toilet paper (carry your own), hot water and soap ( jabon ) are often missing. In bus stations, airports and large shops there is often an attendant who keeps the toilets clean and dispenses toilet paper ( papel higienico ), sometimes for a small fee, usually $0.50. Note that, in rural areas or small towns, toilet paper must often be left in a bin rather than flushed down the pan, to avoid blocking the narrow pipes.
your food is yummyisabella says "i think yalls food is super dooper yummy keep up the good work
" whatsamanth says "nothing. you can survive on your own. dont go there its a horrible place." what you needkatie says "bring lots of food and water. try to bring non perishable food. and bring warm and cold clothes. you will need it." Buenos Aires City of DesignBob Frassinetti says "In August 2005 Buenos Aires was appointed City of Design by the UNESCO. This is recognition the city of “good airs” shares with other top notch design areas of the world such as Berlin, Montreal.
This appointment evidences recognition towards what Buenos Aires is doing in this particular area, and it cannot be understood if not put in perspective to the recent boom that took place in this area recently. BA features a constant flow of movement in terms of design, from mind-blowing creations to average regular, items the broadness of the design movement in the Argentine capital provides a wide rainbow of options featuring something for every taste.
Buenos Aires has been among the firsts of the American Continent to take upon the challenge of design together with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Mendoza in Argentina –as well-. The turning point in contemporary design in South America can be dated at the end of the 1950s and all throughout the 60s. The decade of 1960 was a strong decade for innovation, creation and design in the deepest sense of the words. The Arts in general had a strong input back then, and design was not an exception, from aesthetics to usefulness, Argentina has been taking upon the challenge of designing new and innovative objects ever since. After a couple of decades of ups and downs, ins and outs, always in tune with the general panorama of what was going on in our country, today, Buenos Aires is breeding and furthering some interesting aesthetic and conceptual approaches to objects.
In terms of industrial design today in Argentina, there are at several different disciplines working in an avant-garde creations and innovating in theory and practice in this sense. The range goes from industrial products to vehicles, furniture and lighting, making of Buenos Aires a design spot pretty much hyper-comprehensive in terms of design for the visitors.
An interesting insight on design in Buenos Aires is provided by worldly known Argentine architect and designer Ricardo Blanco in his book entitled Crónicas del diseño industrial en la Argentina – Chronicles of the Industrial Design in Argentina-, where he reconstructs the path of evolution thru means of a particular historical perspective and journey. Not aiming to cover the entire historical process, but more in the sense of providing an organized insight into the world of useful aesthetics, Blanco attest to evidence the intention and cultural bases of the Argentine design path.
Thru means of the current literature and the ever growing production of industrial design objects Buenos Aires takes upon new airs of discovery, as it mutates from the traditional city of beef and tango to a much more interesting and amusing spot of arts, design and aesthetics… And all in all, in the meantime we explore the new inputs of design we can always stop to enjoy the delightful Argentine cuisine and culture, but now in a broader and richer way.
Bob Frassinetti, Buenos Aires, Argentina" GanjaFaith says "look for ganja at all times"
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