HOSTEL COLONIAL LOMOGRAPHY, DON´T THINK, JUST SHOOT - A BUENOS AIRES PHOTO ART

Some time ago, every image I post on this blog is materialized from an idea: "What you see is what you have". Unedited images, taken with an IPhone. Simple, no effect, (don´t forget that Hostel Colonial is a trendhostel, I like this word).

I think the result was very good, but the amateur photographer temptation is great . I have 2 cameras, prized collectors items: A Leica since 1932 and a Voigtlander since 1955.

I was missing a wonderful camera to complete my hobby and I decided to buy it: LOMO, that's it, Ленинградское Оптико-Механическое Объединение (Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Amalgamation), this small Russian camera, converted into an object of worship and that gave rise to the Lomography.

The Lomography motto of "don't think, just shoot" presumes spontaneity, close-ups, and ubiquity, while deemphasizing formal technique. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents".

Photos transformed into artworks. While I hope that I sent my LOMO, I decided to investigate this phenomenon and found: The 10 Golden Rules of Lomography.

• Take your camera every where you go.
• Use it any time - day and night.
• Lomography is not on interference in your life, but port of it.
• Try the shot from the hip.
• Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as close as possible.
• Don´t think.
• Be fast.
• You don´t have to know beforehand what you captured on film.
• Afterwords either.
• Don´t worry about any rules.

Read this manifesto, I decided to put to work and begin to imagine Buenos Aires places and from my desktop (using Photoshop) to get the LOMO Effect.

These are my artworks, before and after. A different view of my city, Buenos Aires, really amazing.

Bar Los Galgos, Callao Ave. in corner with Lavalle St. - Buenos Aires - Argentina

Hostel Colonial, 509 Tucuman St.. in corner with San Martin St. - Buenos Aires - Argentina

El Salvador Church, Callao Ave. in corner with Tucuman St. - Buenos Aires - Argentina

Obelisk, 9 de Julio Ave.view - Buenos Aires - Argentina

Gaucho Grill, 876 Lavalle (pedestrian) St. - Buenos Aires - Argentina

Soon, when they send my LOMO, I will start publishing the pictures of Buenos Aires to do with my new toy.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - IN A FEW WORDS: BUENOS AIRES IS IN VOGUE

Walking around some neighborhoods, such as Downtown (the Hostel Colonial neighborhood, Florida St.), Recoleta, La Boca, San Telmo or Palermo (Soho, Hollywood, Queens and other trendy blocks group), suffice to confirm that conversations in English, Japanish, French and Portuguese, or various Spanish accents, are a must in the urban landscape. The reasons are many: The "Made in Argentina" label sets the trend.

Buenos Aires is the top of mind destination. Buenos Aires is really in vogue.

Buenos Aires related posts

1. Buenos Aires, el turismo y la crisis global.
2. The Wikimedia Foundation (administering the free encyclopedia Wikipedia) announced the election of the City of Buenos Aires as the venue for the conduct of Wikimania 2009, annual conference of Wikimedia projects.
3. Buenos Aires está de moda…Traveler National Geographic
4. Buenos Aires, I say again, is a city that´s at the top of mind for millions of travelers. According to the site AskMen
5. For the second consecutive year, the city of Buenos Aires was chosen the best in the continent by the readers of the prestigious magazine…Condé Nast Traveler
6. Buenos Aires was elected as the "Intertational Destination" and "Destination of the Year" for the gay public… Out Traveler
   

HOSTEL COLONIAL - A BUENOS AIRES PHOTO - POST # 3

A genuine Buenos Aires postcard. San Telmo, across the street from Dorrego Square, the bar, the cab, Buenos Aires, a new photo by Hostel Colonial.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - SAN IGNACIO, A BEAUTIFUL BUENOS AIRES CHURCH

Among all the influences that made Buenos Aires unique, there is religious diversity. A recent study indicates there are 12 main religions which in turn divide in forty eight branches. Undoubtedly, the one that influenced our country the most was the Catholic Church, the main cult in Argentina.

In the historic district (6 blocks walking from Hostel Colonial), the number of Catholic churches is amazing in addition to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the travelers may find four more, the most beatiful: San Ignacio Church, next to the "Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires".

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires

San Ignacio Church

These churches cohabit with temples, synagogues and mosques admired for their architecture and cultural value.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - THE BUENOS AIRES CHINATOWN - A DIFFERENT XP, MARKETS, RESTAURANTS, GIFT SHOPS AND MORE

Breaking the blogging rulez again! A Buenos Aires neighborhood long post, today Chinatown.
Sunday is the perfect day to tour Chinatown in Buenos Aires. Asiatown actually be the most appropriate way to define these 4 blocks of Belgrano neighborhood Downtown, whose epicenter is Arribeños Street, near the railway station who´s name is Belgrano "C".
Asiatown Why? Because, although dominated by Chinese traders there are also Taiwanese and Japanese (Dashi Restaurant), save the first mistake.

The second mistake, seen in some reviews, is believing that everything is written in Mandarin, something almost impossible because of the complexity of the ideograms and basically because Mandarin is more colloquial, as some traders consulted told me, which I´m guided by corner of their premises with great sympathy and seeks to integrate his universe, and something that many appreciated.
Traits of ancient culture and the feeling of having made a journey across the world but only a few steps from Hostel Colonial. So let´s Come for a walk .......

Within a radius of four blocks, with a focus on the Arribeños Street between 2100 and 2200, can be heard at least five languages, buy exotic fruits, see an acupuncturist to try and multi-ethnic dishes. Asiatown succeeds transportation to other different places of the planet. Some also believe that it should be named like; Eastern District of China, home to Taiwan.
Those who first disembark bring us back in the 80´ years when Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai add themselves too on the multicultural "Buenos Aires Asian District", and while it is a minimal domain comparing to the Chinatowns of New York or San Francisco, it also doesn`t definitely lacks identity and there's so much to see there that still someone with a curious spirit might take an entire afternoon wondering around or going for quiet walks during the week except Monday which is a rest day, although a Chinese program in essence represents a more populous, and these are Saturdays and Sundays, just behind the railway station. The first view: Gift stores are wearing Mao collar and fans make up a large and colorful repertoire to note some of glamour.

The Chinese markets, are a world within the world, where you can find what they are anywhere else in Buenos Aires. Casa China was a pioneer in imported products from the East with a variety and quality. Its shelves are popular with chefs, celebrities and tourists. What are the most searched Shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, green tea, tofu, sushi rolls, sesame oil, Szechuan pepper, sweet potato noodles and shrimp snack. The largest branch of China House (Casa China) at 2257 Arribeños Street that has a good selection of fresh fish at reasonable prices.

Also discover the litchi, a fruit pulp candy thin red skin and rough, the top floor is dedicated to the oriental dishes, tea sets are of clay, a few specimens of old China and porcelain cast iron teapots as well as Japanese porcelain. Central Asia, in Mendoza Street here you will find an exciting mix of rice and electric woks, and bag of rice (30 kg), which the Orientals loaded to three accounts is $ 150 out ...

Apart from two temples, one Buddhist Kuan Chong and other evangelical Sinheng, which offers courses in Chinese, a couple of herbalists and houses dedicated to the sale of soy products, dominated by beauty salons with a customer 100% East.



You already know, this is the Buenos Aires Chinatown. A few days on Sunday. I think if you stay or live in Buenos Aires is a great program.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - UNA FOTO DE BUENOS AIRES - POST # 2

Una imagen que no parece tomada desde un celular (Iphone Camera Pro), parece que se hubiese utilizado un gran angular y sólo es una postura corporal. Diría que es una imagen MUY Buenos Aires, tomada desde la Plaza de Mayo, puede observarse a la izquierda, la simétrica altura de los edificios de la Avenida Roque Sáenz Peña (Diagonal Norte) y a la derecha la belleza de la Catedral Metropolitana, aquí cerca, a unas pocas cuadras de Hostel Colonial.

HOSTEL COLONIAL BUENOS AIRES - EL CABILDO 1810 - 1910 - 2010 - CAMINO AL BICENTENARIO

Parece que en este edificio comenzó todo, la historia de Argentina como país. El Cabildo, es sin dudas un ícono de Buenos Aires, si bien el Obelisco es "la postal" obligada de la ciudad, este edificio es nuestra historia.

Tres imágenes y cómo fué cambiando su fisonomía. El Cabildo en 1810, en 1910 y actualmente, en 2009 (2010), rumbo al Bicentenario de la Nación Argentina.

Para disfrutar de este hermoso edificio, toman hacia el sur por la calle San Martín (partiendo desde Hostel Colonial), son sólo 5 cuadras.

Argentina - 2010 - Año del Bicentenario

HOSTEL COLONIAL - MY IDEA OF BUENOS AIRES

Buenos Aires is a city for walking.
Buenos Aires is a city to photograph.
Buenos Aires is a city to be filmed.
Buenos Aires is a city to be lived.
Buenos Aires is part of my life, like Hostel Colonial.
Buenos Aires is legend, mystery and passion.
Buenos Aires is a story that I chose talking at length.
The story began in 2005, very slowly.
Hundreds of posts, photos and videos. My idea to spread my city, Buenos Aires, Hostel Colonial is a tool.
You have been invited. This is the blog of a traveler in his own city.
Buenos Aires is mine. You know it? Well, I´m still paying the mortgage.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - BUENOS AIRES SMELL LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

Una inicitiava 2.0, XP adolescentes en Buenos Aires, en formato de 13 capítulos en un canal de You Tube. La historia trata de 4 chicos del interior de la Argentina, que vienen a estudiar a Buenos Aires, amores, secretos y por lo que vi en el primer capítulo, buenas tomas de exteriores, lindas imágenes de Buenos Aires.

Se estrenó el Miércoles pasado, habrá que ver cómo evoluciona, siempre le doy crédito a este tipo de proyectos.

Hace mucho tiempo que dejé atrás la adolescencia, pero una buena parte de los mochileros que se alojan en Hostel Colonial están en esa franja etaria y puede ser un buen ejercicio para entendernos mejor.

HOSTEL COLONIAL BUENOS AIRES - 2 YEARS USING TWITTER

On April 17 th., 2007 I opened my account on Twitter, it has been 2 years. I have no doubt that Hostel Colonial Buenos Aires was the first hostel in the world have an account on Twitter. Almost without realizing was joined followers and friends, slowly the network was expanded, there were very few in fact and in my case is not yet understood the importance and correct use of a micro-blogging platform like Twitter.

I like Twitter, I also like Blip.fm, both the social networks that are mostly used over Facebook, Orkut, Plurk, Jaiku and Pownce (no longer exists today).
Virtual friends became real friends. Some followers (mostly Argentines, we are First World. Do you remember? We find it too look inwards.) ceased to follow me, is almost a natural condition.
Every day there are more events related to Twitter in Buenos Aires, this is my debt, I could not go to anyone else. The network is vast and the result is absolutely positive.

Has been so long since we Blog de Viajes, the Best Spanish Language Blog, published "A hostel in Buenos Aires was using Twitter", learning time, until they came to be finalists in the Lonely Planet 2009 Travel Blogger Awards - Best Micro-blogging.
In the middle, the people, the most important thing in this way it has to transcend the virtual space of 140 characters, the ones who know, the ones who I know. To all, thanks. Jorge

Follow Hostel Colonial in Twitter

HOSTEL COLONIAL - COMIENZA EN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, LA TEMPORADA DE DESCUENTOS

Como es habitual, finalizada la Temporada de Verano (particularmente muy buena en Buenos Aires, a pesar de la crisis económica mundial) y ya pasado el feriado de Semana Santa (agradezco a todos los amigos de Uruguay que desbordaron la capacidad del hostel y pido disculpas a aquellos que tuvimos que derivar a hostels amigos), comienza la temporada de descuentos.

En meses como Mayo y Junio, si bien se reduce el número de turistas provinientes del exterior (sobre todo europeos y norteamericanos), los viajes de fin de semana desde Uruguay y Brasil se mantienen y aumenta el tráfico de viajeros fronteras adentro de Argentina.

Gran cantidad de eventos en Buenos Aires y el convencimiento, como anticipara en este blog, de que los hostels, sobre todo aquellos que tengan ubicación privilegiada como Hostel Colonial, serán los grandes ganadores en temporadas de billeteras poco abultadas, me motivan a generar estos beneficios para los viajeros independientes que vengan a Buenos Aires en los próximos meses.

Para aquellos que gustan de alojarse con la impronta original de un hostel, esta propuesta:

Bacpackers for backpackers

$ 33 Pesos Argentinos
Alojamiento en Dormis minimo 3 noches.
Desayuno + Trago de Bienvenida + 3 Entradas Free a Discos.
Reconfirma tu reserva 24 horas antes de tu llegada, caso contrario quedará sujeta a disponibilidad.
Increíble, 3 noches noches de alojamiento en Buenos Aires a menos de u$s 10 la noche.

Hostel Colonial - Buenos Aires Class
Habitaciones Privadas

Dobles -Triples o Cuádruples
15 % OFF
Estadía superior a 2 noches - Nuevo! Todas las habitaciones privadas tienen TV Cable.
Todas las estadías incluyen 1 clase de Español y 1 clase de Tango GRATIS.

Para más información: info@hostelcolonial.com.ar

HOSTEL COLONIAL BUENOS AIRES - 2010 - BICENTENARIO DE LA ARGENTINA

A partir de esta segunda nota sobre el Bicentenario de la República Argentina, comenzaré a tratar el tema con mayor asiduidad en mis blogs y a informarlos sobre lo que vendrá desde hoy hasta el 25 de Mayo de 2010.

Como corresponde, el primer punto de referencia es el el sitio web del Bicentenario de la Nación Argentina, al que se puede acceder desde aquí.

Con una línea histórica muy fácil de navegar que muestra los hechos más relevantes desde 1810, foros, encuestas, imágenes enviadas por los ciudadanos, y concursos, charlas y debates en torno al Bicentenario que lleva adelante la Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación, la intención del sitio es que todos los navegantes puedan expresarse a través de foros, encuestas e imágenes.

Entre las propuestas, se pueden enviar, desde allí, dibujos y fotografías de los seres queridos, de lugares argentinos que a cada uno le traen buenos recuerdos, y contar opiniones acerca de qué significa el Bicentenario para cada argentino y argentina, aún para aquellos que viven en el exterior (y por qué no compartirlo con aquellos que han nacido en el exterior).





“Nuestra apuesta es que el Bicentenario se vaya constituyendo en ese gran momento de entusiasmo colectivo que permita replantearnos nuestros modos de construir la realidad y quebrar definitivamente la secuencia de las innumerables crisis que hemos venido padeciendo y que todavía sufrimos con el fin de construir mejores maneras de vivir juntos en una sociedad democrática, igualitaria y libre”, sostiene el secretario de Cultura de la Nación, José Nun.

Considero que no sólo será un gran evento cultural, un evento de reconstrucción histórica, también lo será para el turismo en la región, fuertemente favorecida por el influjo cambiario, sería absurdo negarlo, pero también por la idea de asistir y contemplar el proceso (con todo lo que conlleva) de construcción de una nación, Argentina, mi país.

Les iré informando sobre programacion de eventos, sobre todo aquí, en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y en las ciudades más cercanas y cuando la agenda esté más completa, publicaré los paquetes que ofrecerá Hostel Colonial.

HOSTEL COLONIAL - WIKIMANIA 2009 IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, SOUTH AMERICA

The Wikimedia Foundation (administering the free encyclopedia Wikipedia)announced the election of the City of Buenos Aires as the venue for the conduct of Wikimania 2009, annual conference of Wikimedia projects.

With 5 days in duration, attracts many users of Wikimedia projects around the world, in addition to activists, bloggers and experts on wiki technology, free software, free culture and social movements of the Internet culture, making it a important coverage for international development.

Previous editions of the event took place in Frankfurt, Boston, Taiwan, the last in Egypt. Buenos Aires was nominated by the association Wikimedia Argentina, Argentine chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation, and is composed of a volunteer community that develops projects related to free knowledge. The event will take place during the month of August 2009 in the facilities of the Centro Cultural General San Martín (10´walking from the Hostel Colonial). Has the support of the Tourism Authority of the City of Buenos Aires, sponsored by major national and international companiesand with the support of prestigious educational institutions such as Universidad Nacional de La Plata.

In parallel, will be conducted seminars and workshops on the Wikimedia projects for the general public, among other activities. Buenos Aires, is the first bilingual edition in English and Spanish, for Wikimania, the panel stressed the importance of the Spanish language for Wikimedia projects,and the cultural significance of the headquarters in Buenos Aires. Also weighed into the election, the high degree of organization and activity of the community of Wikipedians from Argentina, This decision is the first bilingual edition, plus the first to be held in Latin America.

About Wikimedia Argentina: non-profit institution that aims to promote culture and free knowledge. Support and dissemination of projects hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikimedia Argentina is a local chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation since December 2007. More information here.

Hostel Colonial is a geek hostel, where you gonna sleep?

Bookings before June 30th: 25% discount on all our rates

A Wikimedia Foundation (administradora a enciclopédia livre Wikipedia) anunciou a eleição da Cidade de Buenos Aires como a sede para a realização de Wikimania 2009 conferência anual de projectos Wikimedia.

Com 5 dias de duração, atrai muitos usuários de projectos Wikimedia em todo o mundo, além de ativistas, bloggers e especialistas em tecnologia wiki, software livre, cultura livre e movimentos sociais da Internet cultura, tornando-se um importante desenvolvimiento para a cobertura internacional.

Edições anteriores do evento teve lugar em Frankfurt, Boston, de Taiwan, o último no Egipto. Buenos Aires foi nomeado pela associação Wikimedia Argentina, capítulo argentino da Wikimedia Foundation, e é composto por um voluntário da comunidade que desenvolve projectos relacionados com o conhecimento livre.

O evento terá lugar durante o mês de Agosto de 2009 nas instalações do Centro Cultural General San Martín (A 10´caminando de nosso Hostel Colonial). Tem o apoio da Autoridade de Turismo da Cidade de Buenos Aires, patrocinado por grandes empresas nacionais e internacionaise com o apoio de prestigiosas instituições educacionais, como a Universidad Nacional de La Plata.

Em paralelo, serão realizados seminários e workshops sobre os projectos Wikimedia para o público em geral, entre outras atividades. Buenos Aires, é a primeira edição bilíngüe em Inglês e Espanhol, para Wikimania, o painel salientou a importância da língua espanhola para a Wikimedia projectos, e do significado cultural da sede em Buenos Aires. Também pesou na eleição, o elevado grau de organização e actividade da comunidade de wikipedistas da Argentina.

Esta decisão é a primeira edição bilíngüe, mais o primeiro a ser realizado na América Latina.

Sobre a Wikimedia Argentina: instituição sem fins lucrativos que visa promover a cultura e conhecimento livre. Apoio e divulgação de projectos promovidos pela Fundação Wikimedia. Wikimedia Argentina é um capítulo local da Fundação Wikimedia desde dezembro de 2007. Mais informações aquí

Um evento geek, um albergue geek, onde você vai dormir?

Fazendo sua reserva antes de 30 de junho: 25% de desconto em todas as nossas taxas

Argentine - May 25th - 2010 - The Bicentennial commemorations

HOSTEL COLONIAL - BUENOS AIRES FROM THE SKY - PHOTOPOST

The sky, the clouds,the airplane begins to descend. Joy, you begin to see better, here begins another story, you're coming to Buenos Aires, a house is waiting for you, it's called Hostel Colonial.

HOSTEL COLONIAL BUENOS AIRES - TODAY, FLORIDA STREET, FAMOUS PEDESTRIAN STREET ALL OVER THE WORLD IN PHOTOS

The pedestrian Florida Street, famous all over the world, is located only 70 meters from the Hostel Colonial, at one of the most crowded spots in the Buenos Aires Downtown (2.000.000 people walk through the street every day), a neighborhood that already has 4 important pedestrian streets (Florida, Lavalle, Reconquista and Tres Sargentos, no one more than 200 meters from the Hostel Colonial).

Now, well, let´s get back to Florida St., always changing and being reinvented. Lately, it has been very commented that some blocks (it has a total of 11) have their public spaces taken by informal sellers that compete with the owners and tenants, almost outside the legality, some things that are not related to this blog, but even tough I cannot ignore, that why I mention that, and the other subject is the lack of information in some travel guides and local means, that publish grand things like "On weekends, there is nobody in the Downtown" or "When the night comes out, when the offices close, the Downtown became a desert". There is nothing wrong and fallacious.
Its been more than 20 years, 2/3 part of my life, Monday to Monday passing in this neighborhood which I know as much as the palms of my hand. Hundreds of bars and restaurants (La Posada de 1820, hostel downstairs, La Casona del Nonno, El Gaucho Grill and Almacén Suipacha are four examples of those who can speak very well), cinemas and theatres (Ópera, Gran Rex, Nacional, Maipo and Tabarís, sold about 8000 tickets on Saturday night), the Luna Park Stadium, Puerto Madero and Florida St., always crowded. You don´t believe me? Look at these pictures, I´m going to divide them in 3 parts so you can understand the dynamic of the street, considering that the pictures were taken in a Saturday afternoon.

Florida St. - Part 1. From Rivadavia Ave. until Corrientes Ave., Financial District, so it should have almost no activity.

Florida St. - Part 2. From Corrientes Ave., the crossing with Lavalle St. until Cordoba Ave. (Galerias Pacifico Shopping Mall) - Concentration of local sellers and people.











Florida St. - Part 3. Between Cordoba Ave. and M.T.Alvear St. , the most chic and classic postal of Buenos Aires.












Now you know people, if somebody tells you that Buenos Aires, the Downtown, Florida St. some times get empty, this person is simply lying or missing information. Or a bit of both, don´t you think?