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The Argentine Food Guide for Spanish students in Buenos Aires. Part 5

Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:59

Categories - Argentine Recipes - 0 Comments

1077353 spaghetti The Argentine Food Guide for Spanish students in Buenos Aires. Part 5
For any Spanish students in Buenos Aires this winter, we encourage you to spend at least one night at home in order to cook a traditional Argentine meal.  We know it is easy to go out to the many trendy and delicious restaurants in the city but creating your own argentine meal and then bringing home the recipe will put a little bit of Argentina back in your home country.

Argentina, and more specifically, Buenos Aires, is largely influenced by Italian culture going back to when thousands of Italians immigrated to Argentina in the early and mid 1900’s. Along with a myriad of other things, the Italians also brought with them their delicious cuisine and for decades Argentines have enjoyed eating like the Italians eat.  Remember, Argentines don’t only bring the ingredients for the food to the table, but they bring the Italian style of dining with friends and family, meaning lots of food, lots of conversation, lots of wine, and lots of people sitting around the table.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Meatballs
Ground beef
Onion
Oregano
Bread crumbs
Mustard
Egg
Salt

Spaghetti sauce
Tomato sauce
Basil
Parmesan cheese
Garlic

1.    In a large bowl combined all of the ingredients for the meatballs. Once the mixture is mixed, roll the ingredients into a separate balls, and either fry them (in oil) or bake them in the oven for (at 350F).
2.    Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a pan, and slowly warm.
3.    Cook noodles and set aside.
4.    Put it altogether to enjoy a fantastic Italian dish!

Enjoy!!

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:31

Categories - Expanish News - 0 Comments


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Learn About the Unique Argentine Spanish In Buenos Aires

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:08

Categories - Spanish - 0 Comments

1150928 stand out in a crowd Learn About the Unique Argentine Spanish In Buenos Aires

Spanish, or Castellano, is the official spoken language in Argentina as well as by almost 400 million other people around the world. Unlike the rest of the Spanish world, Spanish from Argentina is actually slightly different than the Spanish spoken in other countries and anyone coming to learn Spanish in Argentina will have the privilege to learn this unique language.

What is unique about Spanish spoken in Argentina?

All over Argentina there is a slightly different dialect of Spanish spoken due to the heavy influence of Italian, Spanish, and French immigrants, who, years ago, came over from Europe and influenced the Spanish language spoken at the time. However, the province that speaks the most uniquely is the province of Buenos Aires which has the highest Italian immigration numbers and the people speak not only with their unique Argentine Spanish but with a flavourful Italian accent as well.

Buenos Aires has a Spanish entirely of its own, often referred to as porteno (people of Buenos Aires) Spanish, where lunfardo (slang) is commonly used among the younger and older generations and is a preferred favourite for foreigners to learn.

Another unique aspect to Spanish in Argentina is the different pronunciation used for different letters or combinations of letters:

Spanish: LL = ‘y’
Argentina: LL = ‘shh’

Spanish: V = ‘v’
Argentina:    V = ‘b’

Spanish: Z = ‘z’
Argentina: Z = ‘s’

Spanish: Y = ‘y’
Argentina: Y= ‘sh’

Also, in Argentine Spanish, the J and G before an E or an I is often pronounced as a ‘ch’ sound and  there is no ‘th’ sound, as in ‘thought’ in English.

Of course, there are many other feature of Argentine Spanish that are different as well, these are just a few, but you will have to take Spanish classes in Buenos Aires to learn about them!

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Weather in Buenos Aires Argentina: The 4 Seasons

Monday, July 13, 2009 6:59

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 1 Comment

1198259 clouds Weather in Buenos Aires Argentina: The 4 Seasons

The most common conclusion when thinking of weather in Buenos Aires is to assume that because of its South American location, the weather is almost always warm and humid, a subtropical city in a subtropical country. However, this is not true!  Buenos Aires has all 4 seasons, hot and cold, dry and wet, and if you are living abroad in Argentina, it is best to know what to expect and when!

December-February
Summer in Buenos Aires is hot hot hot and humid!  This is a time when the city is hot all day long and all night, the sun shines day after day and summer is in full force.  Sometimes difficult to manage, overall, the city continues on with people enjoying the sun outside at the local parks, enjoy cool drinks late into the night, and take advantage of a siesta, a habit not common in Buenos Aires.

March-May
Fall is a lovely time in the city, with warm days, occasional rain, and cool comfortable nights. This is the rainy season but even so, the sun peaks through most days.

June-August
Winter is cool in Buenos Aires, the temperature falling to around 1-3 degrees at night and up to 8-13 degrees in the day. The air is humid, therefore making the climate feel cooler than it is, however, Buenos Aires does have the luxury of heat spells, and more than a few times throughout the winter, the climate warms up, 18-21 degrees!

September-November
Similar to Fall, Spring is sunny and wet with warm days, cool nights and an average temperature of 15-22 degrees. Again, like Spring, one of the best times in Buenos Aires.

Interested in coming to Buenos Aires this 2009?

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Staying Safe in Big Beautiful Buenos Aires!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 6:35

Categories - Health & Safety - 2 Comments

1160182 chicken little Staying Safe in Big Beautiful Buenos Aires!
Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires?

If so, are you wondering how you can have the most successful stay abroad in this beautiful city?

Buenos Aires and the surrounding areas have a population of about 13 million people making this city just what it is; diverse, hectic, and constantly running at high speed. Despite being one of the safest capital city’s in South America, Buenos Aires, like any big city, has its share of crime, petty theft, and more, and it is best to know how to ‘manage’ yourself well when living abroad here.

1.    Always be aware of your surroundings.  When you are out in the city, make sure that you are aware of what is happening around you and take care of your belongings; someone that looks like they are not paying attention are often targets of petty theft.

2.    Avoid wearing high priced and ‘flashy’ jewellery. You can still wear jewellery but it is best leave anything very expensive at home unless for a special occasion.

3.    Use the ATM’s in the day. They are open at night, but let’s be honest, this is a safe move no matter where you live.

4.    Do not walk alone late at night. Keep in a group, or better yet, take a taxi. There are many streets that will be full of people, even in the late hours, but locals here do not walk along so you should not either.

5.    Take registered taxis as often as possible. It is best to get a ‘radio’ taxi phone number and call it whenever you need a taxi. These taxis are registered and more secure than just hailing a taxi from the street.

If you use your common sense, it is almost a guarantee that you will leave Argentina with only the best memories!

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Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires:Some of the Biggest and Brightest!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:59

Categories - Uncategorized - 0 Comments

stretched Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires:Some of the Biggest and Brightest!

Las Canitas
This small and trendy neighbourhood borders both Belgrano and Palermo and features a myriad of restaurants, cafes, bars, expensive boutiques, salons, and much more.  The streets are narrow and tree-lined, the presence of young hip people walking their dogs is ever present, and the overall vibe is laidback yet sophisticated.

Palermo
One of the biggest ‘barrios’ neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, Palermo can be separated into mini neighbourhoods such as Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Chico, Palermo Viejo, and more. Throughout these neighbourhoods you can find everything from narrow cobblestone roads and old apartments to modern boutique hotels and first rate dining and shopping.

Recoleta
Sophisticated and located near to downtown, Recoleta has some of the cities most visited tourist spots including the Recoleta Cemetery, and is the perfect place to relax on the grass, check out some sights, enjoy some delicious Argentine cuisine, and mingle with the slight higher class of Buenos Aires.

Downtown
Downtown is a mix of cars, buses, and pedestrians, company and bank buildings, historical sites, theatres and cultural venues, street performances and protests, and simply the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires.

San Telmo
The oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires features gorgeous cobblestone roads, antique churches, vintage stores, antique stores and markets, Argentine restaurants and bars, and the best Sunday market in Buenos Aires. This area is known for its bohemian style and where the artists and musicians of Buenos Aires flock, and today, where many tourists find themselves enjoy a very unique flavour of Argentina.

La Boca
The port area of Buenos Aires, La Boca was where once all the immigrants landed, coming to Argentina to make new lives for themselves and find opportunity. Today, only Camanita, a small colourful street lined with people selling art, tango dancers, and restaurants, is really safe for tourists, a must-see in the area.

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Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: Recoleta

Monday, July 6, 2009 8:16

Categories - Uncategorized - 1 Comment

460837 angeles Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: Recoleta

If you are traveling abroad to Argentina, whether to live or study Spanish in Buenos Aires, there are a myriad of fantastic, interesting, and very Argentine neighbourhoods to check out. However, there are a few that seem to stand out from the rest, and this week we are featuring Recoleta.

Recoleta is considered one of the more glamorous areas in the city, often catering to a more ‘mature’ crowd, featuring antique buildings and apartment buildings, everything from international cuisine to traditional Argentina fair, ritzy and luxurious shops and boutique, fancy hotels, as well as a few of the most visited tourist sites in the city.  Despite its clientele, locals and visitors alike flock to enjoy the scenery in Recoleta, open green spaces, cultural sites, and amenities.

Centro Cultural Recoleta
This cultural centre in Recoleta features a myriad of different events and activities. Everything from art shows, theatre, exhibits, courses, classes, and seminars, can be enjoyed at this centre, just go to their website or drop in and checkout what is being featured now.

Cementerio de la Recoleta
Perhaps the biggest attraction in Recoleta, this famous larger than life cemetery was constructed back in the late 1800’s and graves some of the most influential and important Argentines in history, all housed in the most spectacular graves imaginable, creating the atmosphere of a small concrete city rather than a graveyard.
UBA – Law building

MNBA – Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
This beautiful Museum of Art in Recoleta features some of the most important art colletions in Latin America, featuring 24 exhibit halls, a permanent collection of art pieces, and an art history library.

Recoleta Crafts Market
Every weekend, the grass hill just outside of the cemetery and the cultural centre, is home to a huge public market that sells everything from little tourist souvenir, to clothing, crafts, leathers, jewellery, and more.

Interested in more neighborhoods, check out last week’s neighborhood!

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The Argentine Food Guide for Spanish students in Buenos Aires. Part 4

Friday, July 3, 2009 8:32

Categories - Argentine Recipes - 1 Comment

992370 measuring spices The Argentine Food Guide for Spanish students in Buenos Aires. Part 4
For any Spanish students in Buenos Aires this winter, we encourage you to spend at least one night at home in order to cook a traditional Argentine meal.  We know it is easy to go out to the many trendy and delicious restaurants in the city but creating your own argentine meal and then bringing home the recipe will put a little bit of Argentina back in your home country.

Chimichurri

Chimichurri is a popular spice filled sauce in Argentina, the name coming from an Irish man who invented the sauce, Jimmy McCurry, that is used for mainly as a sauce for grilled meat. The name changed from Jimmy McCurry as it seemed too many people had a difficult time pronouncing it, and was shortened to Chimichurri not too long after.  Chimichurri can be found throughout Argentina, in both restaurants and supermarkets, however is best served when it has been home prepared, as it is at its freshest form.

Ingredients

(Amounts of each ingredient depend on how much or how little Chimchurri you would like to prepare, and of course the strength of the garlic, parsley, and chilis. In general, the olive oil and red vinegar should be similar amounts, for the rest, experiment with your chimichurri and find out your own preferred recipe!)

Olive oil
Red Wine Vinegar
Water
Freshly chopped oregano
Freshly chopped parsley
2 garlic cloves, chopped into thin slices
Chili pepper (for more spicy)
Salt

Instructions:

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend on low until the consistency is quite smooth.

Chimichurri is best to be left at room temperature for a few hours in order for the flavours to settle.

What is your favorite way to enjoy Chimichurri?

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How to Get ‘Plugged In’ in Buenos Aires

Thursday, July 2, 2009 14:07

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 0 Comments

There is no standard voltage or frequency (number of times the current changes direction per second) throughout the world and therefore every country requires that you bring the write plug-in or currency conversion equipment in order to avoid any sort of small, or big, firework display.  If you have plans to study Spanish in Buenos Aires and are wondering what kind of equipment you will be needing, here is a guide to electricity in Argentina!

Argentina has a single-phase voltage of 220V. That means, all you foreigners from the United States, Canada, Australia and many countries in Europe, you can not just plug in your equipment here, unless it has its own adapter (some laptops, ipod’s, etc.).  You must buy an adapter that will change the voltage to correspond with the voltage in Argentina.

Argentina has two different ‘socket’ types.  A socket is the part that gets plugged into the socket in the wall.
1) The first socket is often referred to as the ‘Euro plug’.  Here is an example of what it looks like:
967463 plugs 4 150x150 How to Get ‘Plugged In’ in Buenos Aires
2) The second socket has a ground pin and two diagonal prongs that make a V shape.
Here is what it looks like:
ea23meg dt 150x150 How to Get ‘Plugged In’ in Buenos Aires
*3) This is sort of a rip-off of #2 but you can find the same above, without the bottom ground pin.

dekcell cpa 1337 150x150 How to Get ‘Plugged In’ in Buenos Aires

Remember, the photos above are of adapters however, these do not change the voltage! You will need an adapter that changes the actual voltage of your equipment from abroad.

If you have any comments or tips about electricity in Argentina, let us know!

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Star Wars Exhibition in Buenos Aires this July & August!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:50

Categories - Concerts, Events, Festivals and Holidays - 1 Comment

1031095 lightsaber Star Wars Exhibition in Buenos Aires this July & August!
Buenos Aires is a city that constantly features new events, activities, exhibitions, premiers, and more, and once again this July there is an exciting exhibition that will bring you back to the 80’s and into your ‘Jedi’ days.  This July begins Star Wars The Exhibition at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, an event to great to be missed.

Traveling through the major cities of Latin America, in Buenos Aires Star Wars The Exhibition will be featuring more than 200 original props, costumes, life size models, movie artefacts, drawings, vehicles, and character models from the first three Star Wars movies, displayed in a Star Wars themed atmosphere. Character models such as Chewbacca, C3P0, R2D2, Jaba the Hut, Yoda, and many more of the alien creatures will be featured, as well as the costumes from Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Obi-Wan, featured in glass enclosures.

The original life size props from the movies will also be displayed such as the ‘Imperial Speeder Bike’, ‘Jedi Starfighter’, ‘Anakin’s Airspeeder’, and more. The exhibit will also have 9 rooms dedicated to the different ‘worlds’ that the Star Wars movies were set, along with interactive activities for both children and adults.

Star Wars The Exhibit will take place at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, from July 2nd until the 30th of August, Tuesday to Friday (9-21pm), Saturday and Sunday (10-22pm).  Admissions is 35pesos, free for children under 3 years of age. Tickets can be bought at the doors of the centre or directly at TICKETTEK.

If you were any sort of Star Wars fan back in the day, or still are, this is both a bizarre and unique exhibit to see and a must-see event in Buenos Aires. So put on your Jedi face and head down to the Centro Cultural Recoleta this winter!

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