to continue reading my blog go to:
chrystalmckaystravels.wordpress.com
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
10 Observations from Living in Buenos Aires
**Stolen from IndieTravelPodcast (http://indietravelpodcast.com/argentina/ten-observations-living-buenos-aires/) - Adjusted slightly to me and my observations.
Buenos Aires is a beautiful and complex place. Sometimes it’s maddening, with the traffic (& NON-STOP CAR ALARMS!) and exhaust fumes and dog shit; but at other times — when sitting in a historic café, reading a book and sipping a cup of wine, for example — I am so happy I decided to move here to Argentina.
There’s a lot that’s endearing about Buenos Aires, and other things that grate a little. But it’s an amazing city, and with an open eye there’s a lot to see.
1. There is a newspaper stand on each street corner.
The newspaper stand is not just a place for a journal or a magazine; it’s also a social club. One can buy an Argentinian porno mag called “Young and Dirty,” featuring twenty-something woman posing as teenagers. The Nudity is obnoxious and crude for me personally - but the newsstands are amazingly useful and friendly places to walk past. The print industry is still alive. VERDICT: WIN
2. The service at restaurants is HORRIBLE.
In café's in the morning’s, the hip, tattooed server takes your order in a tone that leads one to believe that one had somehow disrupted her from living her life. Oh, and if you want your cuenta (bill) now, you should have asked for it fifteen minutes ago. But - the wide range of restaurants - the tastes; the flavours - for $20 - is amazing! VERDICT: FAIL
3. One must watch where one is walking.
Or one will land in dog poo. It’s everywhere, like little satanic piles of anti-karma. It smells, it gets over your shoes, and everybody is perfectly fine with this reality of the dog-shit city. People walk their dogs and they shit everywhere - I am a dog lover til death due me part - but Is it REALLY that hard to pick up the poo and put it in the garbage cans that are on every street corner? VERDICT: STINKY FAIL
4. The locals drink yerba mate, everywhere.
Mate is a type of loose green tea that is extremely energizing and healthy. It’s charming to see people walking around with their thermos, mate cup and metal straw: in the park, on the subway, waiting for the bus. What a bunch of suckers! If North Americans carried their personal coffee mug around with such commitment, Starbucks-related waste would drop through the floor. VERDICT: WIN
5. The men greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
From my Canadian cultural perspective, where affection between men is expressed as a punch in the arm, it’s a civilized and intimate salutation. Please take note, uptight western cultures. Everybody is friendly, close, and warm. You greet everybody with a kiss on the check, and for me - each day as I leave work, the security guard at the front gives me a huge hug and kiss, we converse in extremely broken Spanish (on my part) and it cheers me up daily to feel that connection to people you don't feel daily in the Canadian culture of 12 inches distance at all times. VERDICT: WIN
6. Graffiti and street art are pervasive.
There seems to be a permissiveness (and dare I say “celebration”) of street art here in Buenos Aires, of which I haven’t seen in other cities that I’ve visited. The sides of buildings are simply urban canvases, providing a smorgasbord of colorful graphics to the eyes of locals and travelers. The only negative is that every building is not are - some buildings are simply covered in hundreds of spray paint signatures which ruins the natural beauty of marble buildings. But when it is art - it is stunning. VERDICT: WIN
7. Breakfast consists of café con leche y medialunas.
I’m a big breakfast kinda person; I love my cereal and omelets. In the morning, the porteños (people born and raised in Buenos Aires) have bellies still bulging from the immense piece of meat they devoured the night before. This means that breakfast is a coffee and a couple of croissants called medialunas. The fresh deliciousness of baking - the awakening smell, the delicious taste, the soft warm fresh-out-of-the-oven - ness - Makes Buenos Aires feel a bit calmer and a bit more homely, as I exchange pleasantries with my pastry lady each morning. VERDICT: WIN
8. Locals are ambivalent to tango.
Just as a New Yorker might not care about the Statue of Liberty or an Australian might think that kangaroos are simply big bouncy rats, the folks of Buenos Aires are a bit tangoed out. This is entirely understandable but somewhat of a letdown after the city is continuous touted as the city of Tango on every street corner. I have only seen one street tango show - and it is on the tourist street - and they don't let you watch for 1 minute without showing money in your hand to pay, before shooing you away. VERDICT: FAIL
9. The wine floweth cheaply.
For around $10, you can get a decent bottle of Malbec at most restaurants across the city. Or grab some empanadas and a bottle of vino (pronounced bino) from the grocery store ($4), and you’ve got a cheap meal in the park. Wines from all around the region - from Mendoza, to Chile, to Uruguay - the wins are diverse and delicious. VERDICT: WIN
10. The mullet reigns supreme.
I’ve never seen such a saturation of hipster haircuts in all my travels. Unfortunately, I don’t have official government statistics, but the mullet per capita here in Argentina is most likely dominating the international mullet scene. The look is horrid - and sometimes there are braided rat-tails in back - for somebody who views clean cut haircuts as respectable - this messy-dirty mullet rat-tail only illicits images in my head of shoving their head in the nearest fountain and giving them a nice presentable hairstyle! VERDICT: FAIL
Buenos Aires is a beautiful and complex place. Sometimes it’s maddening, with the traffic (& NON-STOP CAR ALARMS!) and exhaust fumes and dog shit; but at other times — when sitting in a historic café, reading a book and sipping a cup of wine, for example — I am so happy I decided to move here to Argentina.
There’s a lot that’s endearing about Buenos Aires, and other things that grate a little. But it’s an amazing city, and with an open eye there’s a lot to see.
1. There is a newspaper stand on each street corner.
The newspaper stand is not just a place for a journal or a magazine; it’s also a social club. One can buy an Argentinian porno mag called “Young and Dirty,” featuring twenty-something woman posing as teenagers. The Nudity is obnoxious and crude for me personally - but the newsstands are amazingly useful and friendly places to walk past. The print industry is still alive. VERDICT: WIN
2. The service at restaurants is HORRIBLE.
In café's in the morning’s, the hip, tattooed server takes your order in a tone that leads one to believe that one had somehow disrupted her from living her life. Oh, and if you want your cuenta (bill) now, you should have asked for it fifteen minutes ago. But - the wide range of restaurants - the tastes; the flavours - for $20 - is amazing! VERDICT: FAIL
3. One must watch where one is walking.
Or one will land in dog poo. It’s everywhere, like little satanic piles of anti-karma. It smells, it gets over your shoes, and everybody is perfectly fine with this reality of the dog-shit city. People walk their dogs and they shit everywhere - I am a dog lover til death due me part - but Is it REALLY that hard to pick up the poo and put it in the garbage cans that are on every street corner? VERDICT: STINKY FAIL
4. The locals drink yerba mate, everywhere.
Mate is a type of loose green tea that is extremely energizing and healthy. It’s charming to see people walking around with their thermos, mate cup and metal straw: in the park, on the subway, waiting for the bus. What a bunch of suckers! If North Americans carried their personal coffee mug around with such commitment, Starbucks-related waste would drop through the floor. VERDICT: WIN
5. The men greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
From my Canadian cultural perspective, where affection between men is expressed as a punch in the arm, it’s a civilized and intimate salutation. Please take note, uptight western cultures. Everybody is friendly, close, and warm. You greet everybody with a kiss on the check, and for me - each day as I leave work, the security guard at the front gives me a huge hug and kiss, we converse in extremely broken Spanish (on my part) and it cheers me up daily to feel that connection to people you don't feel daily in the Canadian culture of 12 inches distance at all times. VERDICT: WIN
6. Graffiti and street art are pervasive.
There seems to be a permissiveness (and dare I say “celebration”) of street art here in Buenos Aires, of which I haven’t seen in other cities that I’ve visited. The sides of buildings are simply urban canvases, providing a smorgasbord of colorful graphics to the eyes of locals and travelers. The only negative is that every building is not are - some buildings are simply covered in hundreds of spray paint signatures which ruins the natural beauty of marble buildings. But when it is art - it is stunning. VERDICT: WIN
7. Breakfast consists of café con leche y medialunas.
I’m a big breakfast kinda person; I love my cereal and omelets. In the morning, the porteños (people born and raised in Buenos Aires) have bellies still bulging from the immense piece of meat they devoured the night before. This means that breakfast is a coffee and a couple of croissants called medialunas. The fresh deliciousness of baking - the awakening smell, the delicious taste, the soft warm fresh-out-of-the-oven - ness - Makes Buenos Aires feel a bit calmer and a bit more homely, as I exchange pleasantries with my pastry lady each morning. VERDICT: WIN
8. Locals are ambivalent to tango.
Just as a New Yorker might not care about the Statue of Liberty or an Australian might think that kangaroos are simply big bouncy rats, the folks of Buenos Aires are a bit tangoed out. This is entirely understandable but somewhat of a letdown after the city is continuous touted as the city of Tango on every street corner. I have only seen one street tango show - and it is on the tourist street - and they don't let you watch for 1 minute without showing money in your hand to pay, before shooing you away. VERDICT: FAIL
9. The wine floweth cheaply.
For around $10, you can get a decent bottle of Malbec at most restaurants across the city. Or grab some empanadas and a bottle of vino (pronounced bino) from the grocery store ($4), and you’ve got a cheap meal in the park. Wines from all around the region - from Mendoza, to Chile, to Uruguay - the wins are diverse and delicious. VERDICT: WIN
10. The mullet reigns supreme.
I’ve never seen such a saturation of hipster haircuts in all my travels. Unfortunately, I don’t have official government statistics, but the mullet per capita here in Argentina is most likely dominating the international mullet scene. The look is horrid - and sometimes there are braided rat-tails in back - for somebody who views clean cut haircuts as respectable - this messy-dirty mullet rat-tail only illicits images in my head of shoving their head in the nearest fountain and giving them a nice presentable hairstyle! VERDICT: FAIL
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wow its August Already?
What a busy life it is to be on the MC! Time just flys!
So quick update on my life in activities:
August 7th - Rollerblading in Palermo Park on Avenida Del Libertador, Shopping in Palermo Hollywood, Panqueque with Avocado and Roquefort Cheese!
August 6th - Asado (BBQ) in Del Tigre with AIESEC.
August 4th - Dinner at Ceviche (Top restaurant in BsAs) - AMAZING SEAFOOD! YUM!
July 30th - Took the American (Raley my workmate) shopping and bought him clothes so he can be presentable when out clubbing! haha
So whats next????
I am going back to Montevideo, Uruguay on Wednesday evening for the MC coaching visit to the Members there! Yay! I love Montevideo! I cant wait to return!
Cleo, my exchange student from Switzerland is touring South American currently and will be coming to Buenos Aires at the end of the month! I cant wait to see her and Adrien again! Its been 6 years!! WOW!
So quick update on my life in activities:
August 7th - Rollerblading in Palermo Park on Avenida Del Libertador, Shopping in Palermo Hollywood, Panqueque with Avocado and Roquefort Cheese!
August 6th - Asado (BBQ) in Del Tigre with AIESEC.
August 4th - Dinner at Ceviche (Top restaurant in BsAs) - AMAZING SEAFOOD! YUM!
July 30th - Took the American (Raley my workmate) shopping and bought him clothes so he can be presentable when out clubbing! haha
So whats next????
I am going back to Montevideo, Uruguay on Wednesday evening for the MC coaching visit to the Members there! Yay! I love Montevideo! I cant wait to return!
Cleo, my exchange student from Switzerland is touring South American currently and will be coming to Buenos Aires at the end of the month! I cant wait to see her and Adrien again! Its been 6 years!! WOW!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
My life in Pictures
Recoleta Cemetary
My team (Minus Olivia) for the year! Spending a happy day at Buenos Aires waterfront!
At La Boca! The extremely colourful neighbourhood of Buenos Aires!
Me! In the main plaza of Buenos Aires! What a beautiful day to wander!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Days Gone By
Wow, the last two weeks have flown by.
Life is starting to be more fun here in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
So what have I done?
Celebrated July 9th, Argentina Independence Day at Feria de Mataderos! It was a lovely fair 1 hour away from my home which had stales and food and singers and dancers! Lots of Fun
Explored more sights of Buenos Aires including:
**Casa Rosada - which is the presidents place and is really a giant pink house!
**La Boca! The colour houses which is a complete tourist trap but OH so colourful and pretty and FUN!
**Teatro Colon - which is an AMAZING theatre which is GIGANTIC and VERY old and beautiful inside. I was WAY up in the Nose Bleed section but it was beautiful none the less. I went to see Festivales Musicales de Buenos Aires! Basically the symphony Orchestra playing Mozart and Vivaldi which some famous soloist violin people!! :) It was wonderful!
for work. the MC has gone into Conference planning because this weekend is Drive Conference 2011 being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina! The planned sessions for the sales track - that is 6 hours of sessions all dedicated to how to sell AIESEC, skills to sell AIESEC, more MORE SELLING! :) haha Lots of fun.
But I have to run! I have a networking event to attend tonight! It is held by InterNations.org which connects expatriates in the city you are living and working! Yay for fellow foreigners! :)
BuhBye Friends!
Life is starting to be more fun here in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
So what have I done?
Celebrated July 9th, Argentina Independence Day at Feria de Mataderos! It was a lovely fair 1 hour away from my home which had stales and food and singers and dancers! Lots of Fun
Explored more sights of Buenos Aires including:
**Casa Rosada - which is the presidents place and is really a giant pink house!
**La Boca! The colour houses which is a complete tourist trap but OH so colourful and pretty and FUN!
**Teatro Colon - which is an AMAZING theatre which is GIGANTIC and VERY old and beautiful inside. I was WAY up in the Nose Bleed section but it was beautiful none the less. I went to see Festivales Musicales de Buenos Aires! Basically the symphony Orchestra playing Mozart and Vivaldi which some famous soloist violin people!! :) It was wonderful!
for work. the MC has gone into Conference planning because this weekend is Drive Conference 2011 being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina! The planned sessions for the sales track - that is 6 hours of sessions all dedicated to how to sell AIESEC, skills to sell AIESEC, more MORE SELLING! :) haha Lots of fun.
But I have to run! I have a networking event to attend tonight! It is held by InterNations.org which connects expatriates in the city you are living and working! Yay for fellow foreigners! :)
BuhBye Friends!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
AIESEC
So what is AIESEC? and what do I do?
In the past 5 years I have developed myself into a global minded citizen. I attended youth impact conferences with 300 delegates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Taiwan. I have traveled to the Philippines to work in organizational design and currently live in Argentina and am the corporate sales manager for Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. I have recruited a graduates from Brazil, India, Poland, China, and Colombia to work in Ottawa, Canada. Currently, I work on a 9 person team with other internationals from Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, and the US. I have twice facilitated a 200 person, three day regional youth conference. I will help to create, facilitate, and raise corporate sponsors for a 500 Person, Latin American conference to be held in Santiago Chile in March 2012. I have connected with hundreds of people through business ideas, leadership thoughts, dancing, drinking and laughter.
I am part of a team with 8 dedicated colleagues who accomplish regional and international achievements. My personal network now includes like-minded individuals from Brazil, India, Philippines, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, and Germany to name a few. I am supported by my University's Co-op program, my University's business school, our international business program, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Immigration, CEO's of local businesses, and my friends and family.
If you want this experience, or more, then make some time to ask about AIESEC.
(*Spiel stolen from my wonderful friend Carson who is in India currently*)
In the past 5 years I have developed myself into a global minded citizen. I attended youth impact conferences with 300 delegates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Taiwan. I have traveled to the Philippines to work in organizational design and currently live in Argentina and am the corporate sales manager for Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. I have recruited a graduates from Brazil, India, Poland, China, and Colombia to work in Ottawa, Canada. Currently, I work on a 9 person team with other internationals from Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, and the US. I have twice facilitated a 200 person, three day regional youth conference. I will help to create, facilitate, and raise corporate sponsors for a 500 Person, Latin American conference to be held in Santiago Chile in March 2012. I have connected with hundreds of people through business ideas, leadership thoughts, dancing, drinking and laughter.
I am part of a team with 8 dedicated colleagues who accomplish regional and international achievements. My personal network now includes like-minded individuals from Brazil, India, Philippines, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, and Germany to name a few. I am supported by my University's Co-op program, my University's business school, our international business program, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Immigration, CEO's of local businesses, and my friends and family.
If you want this experience, or more, then make some time to ask about AIESEC.
(*Spiel stolen from my wonderful friend Carson who is in India currently*)
Recoleta Cemetery
WHAT A FABULOUS PLACE! Not what you'd expect of a cemetery!
the cemetery has impressive statues and crypts that hold the remains of Buenos Aires' Elite: past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians and of course everybody's favourite- the rich&the famous ;) Evita is even buried here! (check her out if you don't know who she is-Madonna played her in the movie which won a Golden Globe but Argentinians dont like the movie: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Per%C3%B3n)
the cemetery has impressive statues and crypts that hold the remains of Buenos Aires' Elite: past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians and of course everybody's favourite- the rich&the famous ;) Evita is even buried here! (check her out if you don't know who she is-Madonna played her in the movie which won a Golden Globe but Argentinians dont like the movie: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Per%C3%B3n)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Montevideo, Uruguay!
Hola Chicos!
So! In order to enter Argentina originally I had to purchase a ticket out of the country. Funny way of working things. but I bought a ticket to Montevideo, Uruguay, and last weekend I went!
Montevideo is a beautiful place! Its a huge city with over 1 Million people, but the architecture is beautiful, and the city is quieter with super friendly people!
I stayed at a friend, Fabian's, place with his mother and sister and the 2 CUTEST siemese cats :D his mother didnt speak much English and my Spanish is still pitiful, so it was very entertaining to speak with each other and truly practice my Spanish. :) His family was simply lovely. :) And his cats would come and sleep under the covers with me and cuddle! So adorable!
Various AIESECers took me around the city every day! Sight seeing everything in the city from the waterfront to the cafes :) I loved it - and I cant wait to go back! But I have my next ticket booked for Sept 30th (Visa renewal) but because I cant wait to return! :)
Only problem with Montevideo in July? its really cold when you dont have the proper attire! haha I need to purchase a pair of mittens! Its getting cold in the southern hemisphere! :P
So! In order to enter Argentina originally I had to purchase a ticket out of the country. Funny way of working things. but I bought a ticket to Montevideo, Uruguay, and last weekend I went!
Montevideo is a beautiful place! Its a huge city with over 1 Million people, but the architecture is beautiful, and the city is quieter with super friendly people!
I stayed at a friend, Fabian's, place with his mother and sister and the 2 CUTEST siemese cats :D his mother didnt speak much English and my Spanish is still pitiful, so it was very entertaining to speak with each other and truly practice my Spanish. :) His family was simply lovely. :) And his cats would come and sleep under the covers with me and cuddle! So adorable!
Various AIESECers took me around the city every day! Sight seeing everything in the city from the waterfront to the cafes :) I loved it - and I cant wait to go back! But I have my next ticket booked for Sept 30th (Visa renewal) but because I cant wait to return! :)
Only problem with Montevideo in July? its really cold when you dont have the proper attire! haha I need to purchase a pair of mittens! Its getting cold in the southern hemisphere! :P
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Rafaela with Nati!
Hola Chicos!
So Rafaela was great! Her family was super nice and it was a great experience to be in a family house again.
We arrived Saturday morning early and surprised her parents at their work, since they did not know we were coming for the weekend!
Her mother didn't speak English very well and my Spanish is horrible still, so our means of communicating was in French! haha It was very entertaining to practice my french again, turns out - I'm not half bad. haha.
Sunday we drove to Sante Fe early to watch Nati's younger brother, Pablo, race Motocross. It was a beautiful day in nice weather to sit outside. The motocross was entertaining but everybody was standing SO close to the edge of the track that the racers drove RIGHT beside them. I had to stand back about 5 meters cause I was scared I'd get hit by a Racer if they fell. haha I suppose I watch too many movies :P
Friday evening Nati's friends came over and we all had Pizza, it was nice, even though I only understand about half the conversation. Saturday night Nati's extended family came over and we ate dinner, and on Monday her extended family on the OTHER side came over and we ate dinner for Fathers Day! :) It was really really nice to just relax and spend time with her family. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and experience.
Nati has a dog named Luna who is SUPER adorible. She is only 1 so she acts like Scotia did at the age, jumping around like crazy and running and being extremely playful. haha So I had a lot of fun playing with Luna and just being around a dog again. I really miss Scotia.
But back to life in Buenos Aires!
So Rafaela was great! Her family was super nice and it was a great experience to be in a family house again.
We arrived Saturday morning early and surprised her parents at their work, since they did not know we were coming for the weekend!
Her mother didn't speak English very well and my Spanish is horrible still, so our means of communicating was in French! haha It was very entertaining to practice my french again, turns out - I'm not half bad. haha.
Sunday we drove to Sante Fe early to watch Nati's younger brother, Pablo, race Motocross. It was a beautiful day in nice weather to sit outside. The motocross was entertaining but everybody was standing SO close to the edge of the track that the racers drove RIGHT beside them. I had to stand back about 5 meters cause I was scared I'd get hit by a Racer if they fell. haha I suppose I watch too many movies :P
Friday evening Nati's friends came over and we all had Pizza, it was nice, even though I only understand about half the conversation. Saturday night Nati's extended family came over and we ate dinner, and on Monday her extended family on the OTHER side came over and we ate dinner for Fathers Day! :) It was really really nice to just relax and spend time with her family. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and experience.
Nati has a dog named Luna who is SUPER adorible. She is only 1 so she acts like Scotia did at the age, jumping around like crazy and running and being extremely playful. haha So I had a lot of fun playing with Luna and just being around a dog again. I really miss Scotia.
But back to life in Buenos Aires!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)