"Bares Notables" in Buenos Aires - Bar sur

 

Buenos Aires has always had a rich Café culture and many of its classic cafes were meeting places for its literary and intellectual elite.
These places are called "Cafés Notables" which still have their interiors well preserved but still serve its patrons as any other café in town. There is a list of these bars but you will certainly see them walking around downtown Buenos Aires.
The Photo above was taken at Bar Sur in San Telmo.

The San Telmo Market

 

The San Telmo Market is a roofed marked brought over from England back in the late 1800s and served faithfully for over a century in San Telmo as a regular produce market that now became a tourist attraction.

You will certainly go in when in San Telmo and check out its restos or gift shops.

It also seems to be an ideal place for pick pockets and bag snatchers, I lost a brand new phone once and almost every time I went I heard that someone got his bag taken in a moment of distraction.
Not that this is a privilege of this market since in every big city you can be robbed specially in very crowded places.

In Passing snapshot - French´s umbrellas

It seems to be the new fad to hang umbrellas over patios, at least in Buenos Aires. At least in the "Galería Solar de French" in San Telmo they can be seen and make a great I´ve been there photo background.
 

Considerations on a Crappy year I

Nearing the end of the year I have some considerations about what was to many the worst  year in History for travellers.

Besides the personal, financial or any other loss that we had to endure due to COVID, which is far from being over, I have to say that all my travel plans went south starting with a trip to Colombia that I had to cut short.

But never the less this was above all a year to learn and value about things in our life, on one side I felt justified in all my previous travels which I did, not letting them for after like some people said, and also having pending stuff saved for a time which I could not leave home, due to illness or in this case lockdown. Also that staying away from certain toxic people in your like was the best alternative.

But I also learned that I don't need to be travelling all the time since there are plenty of things to do at home or nearby also I had a chance to edit and review many photos from my past trips re savouring great times I had in them.

Above all this times of crisis are a great moment to value and or reconsider our life choices, something that we probably wouldn't do if we were not forced to stop and think.

The Church of San Pedro Telmo in Buenos Aires

One of them being the "Iglesia de San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo" located one block from the "Plaza Dorrego" which is the neighbourhoods main square.

Speaking of tourist traps, you will most likely visit the neighbourhood of San Telmo rife with overpriced trinkets and pickpockets, but not to be pessimist there are plenty of interesting things to see while you avoid being robbed or ripped off

Standing since 1734 it witnessed most of the transformation of the San Telmo hood and of the city of Buenos Aires.

In Passing snapshot - The skateboarder

Nothing like a good action shot on the streets, theese kids were doing stunts with Puerto Madero on the background.

 

The Dorrego Flea Market

Not too far away from all the downtown tourist attractions in the city of Buenos Aires you will find a flea Market located in the neighbourhood of Colegiales.

 

The "Mercado de las Pulgas" Located at Avenida Dorrego 1650 probably used to sell the typical trinquets sold at flea markets worldwide since 1988, but with recent renovations has upgraded to bigger items like furniture or small motorbikes.

All its wares are neatly arranged in quiosks wich specialize in different items. 

It provides for a nice stroll through antiques and gadgets alike.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - The Cemetery

The Balcarce cemetery was also designed and built by Francisco Salamone and is located south of the city in opposite direction from the slaughterhouse.

 

Entering beyond its Monumentalist style gate it houses many monuments and graves from Balcarces most important families.

all bearing testimony from a more prosperous past of the city of Balcarce.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - The Slaughterhouse

The former salughterhouse building in Balcarce now turned into a Comunity centre is a fine architectural work by Francisco Salamone.

Located 3 clicks from the main square where the city ends it can be reached biking or walking on a pleasant boulevard that spans most of the city.

Mery Christmas

May all those who follow this blog have a Merry Christmas along their loved ones.

 

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - The Salamone Heritage

 If you appreciate architecture you will like to visit the buildings designed by Italian architect Francisco Salamone which was very prolific in the 30s and 40s in the province of Buenos Aires

The first one being the city's grade school built right across the main square besides the Fangio Museum

Built in his trademark Monumentalist style it is unique and very attractive as a photo subject.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Postre Balcarce

Definitely a Must eat in Balcarce is the "Postre Balcarce" a cake invented in the city which has its namesake, The "Postre Balcarce"is a luscious cake filled with meringue, dulce de leche and cream which you will find in any resto, bakery or cafe in Balcarcee.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Saint Joseph´s church

Another building you will not miss is The "Saint Joseph parrish" located also across the main square in Balcarce.

Also worth visiting due tu its beautiful architecture and relaxing atmosphere far from the outside heat.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Museo Juan Manuel Fangio

As I mentioned before, Balcarce´s main attraction is the "Juan Manuel Fangio Museum", located smack downtown facing the main square.

Juan Mnuel fangio was an Argentine racing car driver from the 50´s . He won the World championship for drivers 5 times and kept the record during 46 years till he was beaten by Michael Schumacher.

I really like the museum not only for its contents but also for its architecture mainly inspired by the Mercedes Benz museum in Germany.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce

108 clicks from Tandil and 422 kms from Buenos Aires sits the picturesque city of Balcarce, also conveniently located 75 clicks from the nearest beach.

Balcarce is worth while visiting either to rest somewhere close to the coast without the crowds, or to see its main attraction which is the Fangio Museum and even to check out some edifices built by famous Argentine architect Francisco salamone.

Long weekend in Tandil - Where to stay

De Passo hostel is at Larrea 802, not too far from the Bus terminal and very close to the Dique area.
It is a small family run hostel with only two rooms with bunk beds and a dining room, very cozy and quiet.

In Passing snapshot - The Lake that was´nt there

As Robert Cappa said " If your pictures aren´t good enough, its because you´re not close enough"
This photo is not of a sunset at a lake, but of a closeup of a small puddle on a rock.
It pays of to pay attention to small details even when your goal is to capture wide panoramas and the sunset.

Long weekend in Tandil - Cerro "El Centinela"

The "El Centinela " Hill or cerro in Spanish is located 5 km south of Tandil and is 300m high. From there you have a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings.

You can get the by Car, Bus or bike and even walking (pack lunch) and there is a lift that brings you to the summit, but its easy climbing.

Also a great place for sunsets its main attraction is the Rock they call "The Sentinel" which is perched at one of the cliffs in the hill.

Long weekend in Tandil - the Land of Salame and Cheese

You have arrived at salami paradise, Tandil specializes in all sorts of Salami,hams and cheese.

You can go to several restaurants that specialize in "Picadas" a platter selection of all the different types of Salami and cheese.

Or you can go to any delicatessen and buy yourself some cold cuts and have a pic-nic.

Long weekend in Tandil - nightlife

Tandil has its own night life with a downtown area full of restos, pubs and Ice cream Parlours.

You can indulge eating good pampean meat, a cold cut Picada or just a cold beer, they even make their own craft beer.

Long weekend in Tandil - El Castillo Morisco

Another sunset attraction is the "Castillo Morisco" at the "Parque independencia" was a donation of the Spanish community in Tandil, which sits at the top of the hill in the park.

It is a great spot to watch sunsets and sunrises and easy to climb.

In Passing snapshot - The Palace Guards

The "Casa de Nariño" is Colombia´s presidencial Palace where you will see the Presidencial Guards at watch ath the gates dressed in they traditional garb.