Buenos Aires: More than Steak and Alcohol

I am always surprised when something I didn’t expect blows me away when I travel. I shouldn’t be, it happens every damn time. While traveling Buenos Aires, one of those moments came to me. “Wow, Architecture!”

Everyone knows if you want to party, drink fine wine and eat a steak grilled to perfection, Buenos Aires is the place to be. But you might be as surprised as I was by the pure beauty in the city they call “Good Air”.

I went to Buenos Aires for the first time not too long ago. Getting off the plane and into a taxi I wasn’t too impressed right off the bat. Like many South American cities the slums are hard to avoid and a harsh reality for many. I tried to quiet my friends that were virgins to South America. One pointed to the slums proclaiming “FLAVELA, FLAVELA” innocently trying to make conversation with the taxi driver. A word he must have heard me use referring to Brazil’s slums. Me in the front seat of the taxi and translator, I saw out of t he corner of my eye the taxi driver look over at me and give me a look like “tell your friend to shut up.” I kept looking forward and soon tried to change the subject to soccer.

It’s true, right out of the airport you do see slums on the right side. But don’t make judgments quite yet.

During the day I walked around, went the Pink House and then walked the stretch to the Palace of Congress (link). The beauty of the buildings took me back. When I thought of Buenos Aires I didn’t think architecture, nonetheless European architecture.

Buenos Aires was settled by a Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza(link) in the early 1500s. So much of the architecture comes from the Spanish, which gives walking down modern day Buenos Aires a European flavor.

I ran into a group of architecture students from Cornell University which showed me around a bit. They showed me everything from the structure of the Congress building to the modern art structures in the city. Make sure to stop by the Plaza de Mayo it is surrounded by beautiful architecture. The Teatro Colón was one of my favorite. But beware of the street vendors in the area. They are quick to ask you for a buck, and offten.

The modern art in Buenos Aires is a must see. The Floralis Generica was the most beautiful piece of art I saw during my trip.

All in all, don’t let the pure beauty of the city pass you by. It will suck you in. And the graffiti was just as great!