Argentina Travel Blog

Learning How To Speak Argentinian Spanish is very easy if you know how to speak regular Spanish.  The Spanish dialect found in Argentina is influenced heavily by both the Italian language and customs.  Another very unique trait of Spanish in Argentina is how they pronunciate different vowels.  There are some different words used in Argentina that aren’t used in other countries but for the most part you are able to able to speak regular Spanish and be understood 99% of the time.  The countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina all speak the most proper Spanish (closes to Castilian Spanish spoken in Spain.

How Do I Say That In Argentinian Spanish?

• Pronunciation
• Anytime you see a Y and LL you pronounce with SH
• I Am: Yo Soy (Sho soy)
• Bungee Jumping: Bunshee Shumping (see video)
• Verbiage
• Argentinians also use the correct Castillian way
• When you say are you: Vos Sos? (instead of Usted eres)

The Streets of Buenos Aires

This is my 2^nd story of my awkward situations in Argentina. If you would like to read more about these funny stories see the list at the end of the post. All of these stories seem to deal with Argentinians and their.. uhh.. manhood. The men of Buenos Aires are quite different in this respect, they seem to be a completely different breed. They are either not getting enough conversation for Mr. Wiggles or the rumors of Argentinian women are true (they are a hard to get). Either way, these are just off the wall things that happened to me that are absolutely hysterical.

Argentina at one point had an exceptional train system with no weirdos. What is left of the train station is a series of small connections of the most populated cities in the country, specifically the North East Region near Buenos Aires. I was interested in seeing El Tigre which is an incredible modern day wonder world that takes you deep inside a side of Argentina that they don’t show you on the brochures. I went to the train station to find out the details of the train departures.

I drink cafe con leches like Americans eat Mcdonalds. Cafe con leches (Latte) also make you use the bathroom more often since coffee is a diuretic. I made the mistake of walking into the restroom inside of the train station, I would have been better just going outside. When I entered I first noticed the lovely smell that you frequently have the pleasure of witnessing in every mens bathroom (you know what I’m talking about.. ladies you too).  The picture below is from a Museum in Cordoba, the train station was too busy to take a picture.

ATTENTION KIDS: Do not eat the Candy in the Urinals

The place was absolutely filthy with garbage and other goodies on the floor. Its funny because in Argentina picking a urinal is like finding a parking spot at a crowded mall. I found my lovely 10 second parking spot (I’m a light weight) and did what we all do when we start using the restroom, let out a nice big AHHHHHHHHHHH. You didn’t know we competed for the best awe in the mens bathroom? Women have their buddy system we have our AHHS.

That’s when he saw me. It was like cupid shot his arrow and I was his bathroom unicorn. After the gentlemen 3 urinals over respectfully declined his pot of gold he directly headed to me. He didn’t wash his hands by the way. He was walking awkwardly, the funny walk you can’t get right when you have your jeans at your ankles. His leg hair was also obviously out of breath since they were attacking his white speedos like 10 year old’s attack Justin Beiber. And his hand motion I can only describe as the video below, America is so politically correct, we call this “exercise” now.

I feel sorry for you if you don’t understand what I am talking about. I was very upset because this man ruined my AHHH. I had been practicing for so long and was ready for the big leagues at a public bathroom. My AHHH quickly turned into profanity in a language I don’t even understand. He walked directly in-between my urinal and the urinal next to me, the guy next to me immediately left. I was sad, he had a great AHHH. He started sweet talking me with deep breathes and awkward movements. No I don’t want to meet your Mr. Wiggles I said. Of course I said it in spanish, “Mister-O Wiggles-O.” He continued, I rushed, and my pants then looked like I stood in front of Niagara Falls. How could I possibly try to hit on a women now?

What I find hysterical is that these weird situations happened to me ALL THE TIME while I was living Buenos Aires. Nowhere else in the world do they make these weirdos. Its one of the reasons I tell women that travel to Buenos Aires to be careful taking taxis. You will have an awkward situation like this one.

Other Awkward & Funny Situations in Argentina:

• Reasons Not To Take Taxis in Argentina
• Crazy Taxi Driver On The Way to Airport
• The Stupendous Argentina Combover
• Blowing in the Wind-Coming Soon
• Sticky Fingers-Coming Soon

The streets & Oblisque

The Paris of the South is a city that was once the epicenter of the world at the turn of the 21^st century. People from around the world wanted to now only visit Buenos Aires, but actually live there.

Now the city drastically different with corruption bringing the entire country of Argentina, as the city of Buenos Aires, to its knees. At one point in time the city was as glamorous as Paris, now you just have hints of Paris here and there.

The culture of Buenos Aires is almost identical to Paris. There are many people around the world that don’t like the French, aside from the United States government.

They say that if you sit down at a coffee shop in Paris you can watch the whole world walk by. This saying comes from the fact Paris is the (thee not the) most visited city in the world. Most tourists I can assure you only visit Paris, not the countryside.

The European Archicture

Most of the opinions I have heard of the French from others around the world are that they are snobs and very rude. Dealing with so many tourists every year you can understand if you may be jaded to foreigners but not all French people are like that.

If you travel to the capital of Argentina, it would be very easy to get the same kind of impression from the people of Buenos Aires. Both the French and Argentinians are extremely proud of their cultures and consider themselves the best in the world (where some may get the wrong impression).

The only exception is that Argentina has fallen off the map in terms of economic prowess and the people of Buenos Aires still consider themselves elite. Someone from Buenos Aires could be cleaning your toilet and they could still think they are better than you. It’s also important to note that not all people are like this, just most.

The actual feel of the city is very similar to Paris. There are cafes on every corner where most Argentinians go to begin and end their day. Its a very cafe oriented society as most people meet up there and many Argentinians eat out at cafe’s that offer food. The European cars that swarm the streets include Renauts and Peugeots. There are hardly any American or Japanese cars on the streets. That wouldn’t be very French now would it.

Whatever you do, don't drink Fernet

The biggest thing that gives you the feeling of Paris is the architecture. The Europeans have really left their mark throughout the entire city with gorgeous buildings, European style squares, and round abouts. Round Abouts! While some the architecture is linked to Spanish and Italian styles, you still get that very European feel that you can link back to Paris.

The city of Buenos Aires has seen better days. The government of Argentina is running on reserves due to the world economic slowdown and there is barely any money to fix up and maintain the city. You can make a case for that or the fact that there is so much corruption they would rather put their money in their coffers than fix up the city. The sidewalks on many streets are filled with pot holes and many of the classic European buildings are falling apart. If there is no money to keep up the buildings there is no money to clean the graffiti off of the walls either.

You really can get the sense of Paris in some respects and it’s the city closest to where you can find Paris around the world. But it is falling apart unfortunately and soon you may not be able to feel Paris at all.

Fortunately, he didn't take any eyes out

One must be careful upon close contact because you could lose an eye in simple conversation with this Argentine.  As he moved his nasal appendage you could feel the wind change direction.  This I tell you was great because it was a bit nippy on the boat.  So for you who do not believe in ferry tales, here is the proof positive that Pinocchio is alive and well.  On a positive note, he isn’t rocking the Argentina comb over.  Now lets talk about those satellite dishes, no? You sure? Yeah your right I went to far.

Cheers to you Pinocchio, Cheers to you!

Its a dream to make it to the white continent but with prices starting off at $3,000 its no wonder why only about 37,000 people made it to Antarctica last year.  It is by no means a cheap adventure and that doesn’t include the costs of getting to the port where you leave.

Last minute Antarctica cruises are much cheaper than most will still run you back in the neighborhood of $3500 to $500 with flights included.  If you have been dreaming of making it to Antarctica but find yourself short on the green stuff then worry no more!

I have an alternate trip for you where you can experience everything you will see in Antarctica on a similar scale in the country of Argentina.  You will be traveling throughout Patagonia to the cities of Puerto Madryn & Ushuaia.

The first view when arriving in Antarctica

Don’t have 3 to 4 grand to spend on a last minute Antarctica cruise? No worries!  Dont have 10-15 days to spend on a cruise to visit Antarctica? No worries!  There are two cities in the vast country of Argentina that you can visit to get a similar (not exact) experience of visiting the 7th continent.  I will not be responsible when you lie to your friends however.  The main attractions in Antarctica are no secret:

• Penguins
• Glaciers
• Penguins
• Swimming in Antarctic Waters
• Penguins
• Snow Capped Mountains
• Did I mention Penguins?

Yes I did it.. and the EPA doesn't have to know about it

I introduce you ladies and gentlemen to the Penguin capital of Argentina that hosts the largest Magellan Penguin Colony in the world, Punta Tombo.  Hosting nearly 1 million penguins every year, I actually prefer the penguins in Punta Tombo because they are less afraid of people in comparison to the penguins in Argentina.  They will allow you to get inches away from them without even hesitating.

Chillin with the family

You can access the Punta Tombo penguins by flying into Trelew or Puerto Madryn (Argentina) and driving to the colony.  Tours if you haven’t heard aren’t cool anymore.  It is quite a drive away from both cities but it is well worth it.  If you are like me and like to drive 100 mph (161 kmh) you will make it there in no time but plan 1.5 – 2 hours to arrive.  Highly recommend that you arrive right when they open at 8am.  Less tourists means more penguin activity and they usually are more active in the evening and in the early morning.

One of the pictures I took on the cruise

Now to complete the glaciers, crisp water, and snow capped mountains you should head to a city about 900 miles south west to where you have access to glaciers that are fed by the 3rd largest ice sheet in the world, El Calafate.  I just came back from Calafate last weekend and I can tell you that parts of the surrounding area reminded me of Antarctica.  You will also be able to see one of the most impressive sites in the world, the Perito Moreno Glacier.  Its truly picturesque check out this picture (click here).

Make sure that you take the glacier cruise where they take you to see the many of the glaciers in the surrounding area.  Glacier Upsala is where the magic happens, due to global warming, there is a massive iceberg field near the Upsala bay providing picturesque images of crisp blue iceburgs, snow capped mountains, and even greenish blue water.

Notice the blue green water of Lake Argentina

If you are short on time you can do both cities in a full week 6 -7 days.  You would need 2-3 days in Puerto Madryn and another 3-4 days in El Calafate.  If you really want to do everything in Calafate you can also go to Torres del Paine on the Chilean side which is an amazing site to see.