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Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can find a little bit of ‘China’ in the big neighborhood of Belgrano

Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:00

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The Chinatown in Buenos Aires began in the 1980´s, not long after the second wave of Asian immigrants landed in Argentina in the late 1960´s. In the 1990´s more Chinese immigrants arrived in Argentina, mostly entrepreneurs, and Chinatown and the number of Chinese owned business began to flourish. Many Chinese and Asian owned businesses began to open up around the city, mostly dealing in supermarkets, textiles, and buffet-styled restaurants. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires will see that Asian owned supermarkets are very common and it is even said that there may be a total of almost 200 throughout the city.

 

Today, students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will find the majority of the Asian and more specifically Chinese shops and restaurants are in the streets of Chinatown located in the Belgrano neighborhood. Regarding restaurants, students can just pick the one that strikes their fancy since most have a similar menu and all offer great food for great prices. You will be able to find all the classic delights that you know from your Chinese restaurants back home and even a few new ones.

 

For shops, Chinatown offers a myriad of stores that sell everything from clothing, textiles, furniture, decorations, etc. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can also find specialty dried fruits, soy and tofu products, and other Asian influenced food that you cannot find in the other Buenos Aires supermarkets. Day or night students can head down to Chinatown, located in the crossroads of Arribenos and Juramento and extending over a few blocks down Arribenos, for a little Asian indulgence.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

 

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Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can find a little bit of the Middle East right in the middle of Buenos Aires.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:37

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

In 1998, former President Carlos Ménem began constructing South America’s biggest mosque, today called the Centro Cultural Islámico. Although catholic at the time of his presidency, Ménem was of Syrain Muslim decent and on return from a visit to Saudi Arabia he decided to build the mosque in homage to his ancestry, finishing this project in 2000. The entire project cost more than $30 million dollars, which includes the mosque, a library, two schools, and a park.

 

The mosque covers an impressive amount of land, has well-tended lawns, palm trees, and minarets. This enormous structure overlooks the polo grounds and has a modern design and structure that looks equally impressive in the sunlight as it does artificially lit during the night. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires may have noticed this amazing structure when passing through Palermo or taking the city trains. The mosque library is open to the public during the week, and the centre itself offers classes in Koran and Arabic.

 

 

Students studying Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires can learn more about this fascinating mosque Tuesday and Thursdays at noon. The tour last 45 minutes and you will be taken through the courtyards and interior of the building; tours are often in Spanish, therefore being a great Spanish lesson for students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires or the Centro Cultural Islámico.

 

 

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Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can enjoy Argentina’s monthly celebration of Gnocchi!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:22

Categories - Concerts, Events, Festivals and Holidays - 0 Comments

Argentina has a story behind it, in fact it has two. In the beginning of the 20th century large groups of immigrants came to Argentina, more than 50% of Italian descent, and with them they brought Italian tradition and culture. In Italian culture, the 29th was known as the day when people were the poorest as it was one day before pay-day and so people would eat Gnocchi on these days as it was very cheap pasta. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can see that this pasta today is still slightly less-costly than other forms of pasta.

 

The other story is of one of the patron saints of Venice who was practicing healings across Northern Italy and who then was offered charity by a family living on a farm when he had no food to eat. The family shared the only thing they had, bread, and the patron saint then blessed the family. The family saw years of abundant crops and therefore today the idea of eating simple foods represents a way to honor that miracle and ask for prosperity and blessings. This is a tradition that students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can experience in the restaurants that serve up Gnocchi on the 29th of each month.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can also experience the Italian belief of putting a coin or bank note under a plate of Gnocchi and therefore attracting prosperity. For these two stories and the fact that Gnocchi is a delicious and affordable form of pasta, students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires should take advantage of the 29th of every month during their stay in Argentina.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Looking for shopping and culture in the same place? Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can get their fill of both in the beautiful Galerías Pacifico.

Friday, October 10, 2008 7:36

Categories - Shopping - 1 Comment

For students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, a day or night at the Galerías Pacifico creates a perfect outing by combining great shopping and dining along with culture and history. This beautiful mall, once a building owned by the railroad company of the state, is located on Florida, known for its architectural innovation and dynamic shopping. During the late 1800´s and early 1900´s the building went through many changes mostly due to the economic crisis in that time and by 1908 the building was separated into part gallery of shops and part railroad administration. Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can admire this building from the outside along the streets of Cordoba and Florida.

 

Although always architecturally beautiful the building received a boost of color in 1945 when 5 famous muralists painted the buildings central dome in 5 different themes. Together and yet separate these artists managed to paint this dome using different colors, shapes, and themes and yet creating one fluid and beautiful mural. Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can enter the building and head to its centre to admire this dome.  Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can learn more by taking one of the guided tours offered in the afternoons – in Spanish of course!

 

Alongside its history, the Galerías Pacifico offers up fantastic shopping, activities, and dining options. It has over 200 shops located throughout the building and a food court that includes everything from fine dining to fast food. The building also has a movie theatre and is home to the Centro Cultural Borges, offering various exhibitions and activities, and the Julio Bocca´s School of Ballet. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can check out either of these websites for event guides or for more information.

 

This historical city mall is a must see for students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires for its unique combination of shopping, art, and culture.

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

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Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can find a little bit of ‘China’ in the big neighborhood of Belgrano.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 12:33

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For students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires and looking for something a little different can head down to Chinatown; a small neighborhood lined with restaurants, shops, markets, and specialty stores.

 

A little history…

The Chinatown in Buenos Aires began in the 1980´s, not long after the second wave of Asian immigrants landed in Argentina in the late 1960´s. In the 1990´s more Chinese immigrants arrived in Argentina, mostly entrepreneurs, and Chinatown and the number of Chinese owned business began to flourish. Many Chinese and Asian owned businesses began to open up around the city, mostly dealing in supermarkets, textiles, and buffet-styled restaurants. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires will see that Asian owned supermarkets are very common and it is even said that there may be a total of almost 200 throughout the city.

 

Today, students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will find the majority of the Asian and more specifically Chinese shops and restaurants are in the streets of Chinatown located in the Belgrano neighborhood. Regarding restaurants, students can just pick the one that strikes their fancy  since most have a similar menu and all offer great food for great prices. You will be able to find all the classic delights that you know from your Chinese restaurants back home and even a few new ones.

 

For shops, Chinatown offers a myriad of stores that sell everything from clothing, textiles, furniture, decorations, etc. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can also find specialty dried fruits, soy and tofu products, and other Asian influenced food that you cannot find in the other Buenos Aires supermarkets. Day or night students can head down to Chinatown, located in the crossroads of Arribenos and Juramento and extending over a few blocks down Arribenos, for a little Asian indulgance.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Students studying Spanish in Argentina must check out this years Oktoberfest!!

Friday, October 3, 2008 10:57

Categories - Concerts, Events, Festivals and Holidays - 3 Comments

This October students studying Spanish in Argentina can experience a wildly popular festival that takes place every year in Villa General Belgrano, close to Cordoba, that brings together the worlds love for lederhosen, national costumes, German music, food and beer. Students studying Spanish in Argentina should not miss this must see festival called Oktoberfest or Fiesta Nacional de la Cerveza (The National Festival of Beer).

 

This popular celebration began in the 1960´s but in the 1980´s became a national event. This 11 day festival features parades, bands, beer tasting, dance exhibitions, beer tasting, eating, beer drinking, and the crowning of the Queen of Oktoberfest. Students learning Spanish in Argentina will be able to enjoy music and dance groups from Europe and other Latin American countries, while some days devoted only to specific countries and beers from those countries. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Argentina will also be able to see Argentine influence in music, dance, traditional costumes, and Argentine beer.

 

The festival takes place in Villa General Belgrano, in the Valle de Calamuchita, a region of tall mountains, rushing rivers and great lakes. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Argentina will truly appreciate this area for its beauty and diversity. The village is of German descent when in the1930’s German families began to arrive and together created a village of red-roofed wooden houses, quaint streets, and brought the tradition, music, and cuisine of Germany. Today students in Spanish immersion courses in Argentina can see a slightly more modernized and Argentine-German influenced village, however this village has defiantly stayed true to its roots and is a unique place in Argentina.

 

Students studying Spanish in Argentina simply must check out this year’s festival.

The festival begins October 3rd and finishes October 13th. Entrance for the weekend of the 3rd is $20 pesos, free during the week, and then $30 pesos for the last weekend. Tickets can be bought upon arrival.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires or Oktoberfest!

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Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires should check out these bars the next time they go out in Buenos Aires!

Thursday, October 2, 2008 11:35

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 0 Comments

There are many fantastic bars in Buenos Aires and students that are studying Spanish in Buenos Aires may even get overwhelmed at times with the amount of options they are given. One of the most popular neighborhoods for students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires to ‘bar-hop’ during their stay is Palermo.

 

Here are 4 great bars in Palermo that students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can check out the next time they are looking for a night out on the town.

 

1) Mundo Bizzarro

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will be sure to love this weird but trendy dimly red-lit bar in Palermo. It also serves up some of the most creative and delicious cocktails in town.

Must have drink: Frozen Mojito(Rum, soda, sugar, mint leaves, ice, blended)

2) Congo

This bar will give students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires the feeling of being a ‘local’. The places is cozy yet chic, the drinks delicious, and the people friendly whether foreign or local.

Must have drink: Bossanova(Rum, cognac, passion fruit, honey)

3) Chueca

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will find something different in this Palermo bar. Chuecas atmosphere is dark and cozy, they serve up delicious drinks, and have a hilarious nightly show featuring drag queens – a must see.

Must have drink: Traditional Bloody Mary

4) El Carnal

This funky bar has three different areas; bar, restaurant, and terrace. The place is decorated in vintage photos and memorabilia and yet keeps a very trendy lounge atmosphere. The upstairs terrace is cozy, funky, and tranquil.

Must have drink: Green Samurai( Sake, apple, green tea)

 

Any of these great bars in Palermo should guarantee students in Spanish immersion classes in Buenos Aires a fun night out.

 

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

 

 

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Just say Mafalda – Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires with this charming little girl.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:21

Categories - Argentine Customs and Culture - 0 Comments

Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires and learning about Argentine culture will soon notice the great sense of humor that the people here have; especially about politics, history, and things typical to Argentina. To express these thoughts to the masses, Argentines for decades now have turned to writing comics. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can open most local papers and find a dedicated spot for comics specific to Argentina.

 

One very well-known and loved comic is called Mafalda. The Mafalda comic features a little girl who was extremely concerned about humanity, world peace and making a change. She speaks about past and current events, challenges them, and gives people new insights. Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will be able to get an insight into history, and the country, and the fears and feelings that were had during many important times in history. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can relate this character to those characters of the American comic Peanuts. Like the children in Peanuts, Mafalda is very adult-like and speaks about relevant topics and concerns.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will no doubt have seen her collection of comics in local bookstores. Discontinued now, between the years of 1964-1973 Mafalda appeared in the newspaper Primera Plana, then Mundo, and lastly Siete Días Ilustrados. The comics that students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires will find now are short collections, during sectioned periods of her publication are definitely worth a buy for their humor, politics, and Argentine history.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Students pack up your bags and take your Spanish classes in Argentina to the beaches of Carilo!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:39

Categories - Uncategorized - 0 Comments

carilo2 300x225 Students pack up your bags and take your Spanish classes in Argentina to the beaches of Carilo!

 

 

 

Students taking Spanish immersion courses Buenos Aires during the Argentina winter will be quick to realize that winters here are not half bad. In general, there is very little rain, the temperature never really drops below -0, and there are many days that bring sunshine and warmth when you are least expecting it. Therefore, students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires should take advantage of this fact, the fact that prices are almost 30% less during the ‘off-season’, pick up their bags and books, and head out of the city, slightly down south, to Carilo.

 

Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will find it easy to arrive to Carilo as it is situated only about 330Km from Buenos Aires nestled in among a beautiful urban forest and on the beaches of the Atlantic coast. Students studying Spanish in Argentina may not yet have heard of this tranquil, yet upscale beach town which is closely located near the slightly more famous town of Pinamar. Regardless, this underdeveloped beach town is just as breathtaking in the winter and somehow manages to offer something for everyone; ocean, beaches, camping, fishing, sand sports, restaurants, cafes, and fantastic shopping- all year round.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will notice a world of difference between the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires to the sandy and tree-lined streets of Carilo. In the middle of Carilo is the town´s ‘center’ and is where the restaurants, cafes, shops, etc. are located. The area is small, but architecturally speaking, absolutely beautiful and unique, and is where the people of the town gather. Students studying Spanish in Argentina will find houses, apartments, and cabins, mostly accommodation options, circling around the centre, and all incorporating nature into their design, and even sometimes, into their homes.

 

Students studying Spanish in Argentina can head out of the center and walk to the beautiful Atlantic beaches within 15 minutes. The beach goes on for what seems like forever and is lined with beautiful apartments, resorts, and restaurants, yet somehow has avoided feeling over developed and managed to keep the feeling of seclusion. On the beach, students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can enjoy the sun, go for a swim, rent 4×4 quads, fish, or any other activity they wish to do – including study!

 

Carilo is the perfect beach destination, summer or winter, for students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires. It offers up a beach/forest setting, gorgeous accommodation, activities, and a feeling unlike anywhere else. It is a great, affordable, and convenient destination to visit for students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires who wish to get out of the city for the weekend or a few days and experience something totally different than Buenos Aires.

 

Click for more information about Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Take your Spanish classes in Buenos Aires to the dark and mysterious world of Argentine Jazz!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:35

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 0 Comments

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will hear the sweet sound of music throughout the streets of the city, day and night. No matter what your music taste, Buenos Aires will offer concerts, shows, and music venues to suit every taste. One genre of music that is very popular throughout Buenos Aires is jazz. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can head down to one of the coolest jazz bars in town every Wednesday to Saturday to hear local and international bands.

 

Thelonious Club, located in Palermo is one of the more trendy and popular jazz bars in the city and students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will no doubt hear about it shortly after their arrival. The club plays live jazz music starting at 9:30pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays. The place fills up with Argentines and foreigners alike, most dressed trendy yet funky, and all looking for a night of great jazz. Students in Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires will be able to test their Spanish skills when any of the local or international jazz bands feature a singer.

 

The place itself is small, dark, and artsy, with a beautifully low-lit bar, corner stage, and a 15-20 tables. For students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires that are above the legal drinking age, Thelonious also offers some of the tastiest and cheapest cocktails in the city. For the curious, try the Gospel Martini, the Frozen Mojito, or the Mint Collins. The price of admission ranges from 12 – 18 pesos, depending on the night, and also shows a double show (9:30pm/12:00am) Fridays and Saturdays. Sounds like the perfect night out for students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

 

Click for information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires or the Thelonious Club.

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