NOVA RUA DE PEDESTRES NO MICRO-CENTRO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

O micro-centro portenho é a zona mais transitada da ciudade, e da Argentina toda. Milhões de pessoas circulam diariamente por essas ruas que foram concebidas há mais de dois séculos e que há tempo que estão superadas pela circulação cotidiana. Por este motivo, um plano do Governo da Cidade de Buenos Aires procura desengarrafar a zona e fazé-la mais amena ao turismo. O “Programa de prioridade do pedestre” começa o processo de fazer caminável a rua Suipacha.

Assim, se procura restringir progressivamente o acesso de carros nesta zona, fomentando o turismo e preservando os edifícios patrimoniais. Suipacha se soma às tradicionais ruas de pedestres Florida e Lavalle, à rua Reconquista e à passagem Carabelas, recentemente trocados pela circulação de pedestres pelo mesmo plano que se pôr em funcionamento nos fins do ano 2008.

Os trabalhos para fazer circuláveis as 12 ruas de Suipacha começaram esta semana e demorarão aproximadamente 4 meses. O primeiro tramo (entra as avenidas de Mayo e Santa Fe) durará 75 días. Ademais, se reorganizará o transporte público que circular por esta rua e haverá cortes progressivos durante o tempo mencionado.

Com a ideia de continuar com a recuperação urbana e revitalizar a zona mais antiga da cidade e a que tem maior relevância turística, o Governo espera seguir com o processo de uma rua à vez para evitar inconvenientes na cotidianeidade dos auxiliares de escritório, turistas e comerciantes da zona e remoçar ao mesmo tempo o Centro da cidade. O mesmo Centro onde o Hostel Colonial te espera.

EVITA: WOMAN OF THE BICENTENARY (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Commemorating the 58 anniversary of the death of María Eva Duarte de Perón, Argentina appointed her as Woman of the Bicentenary. The project “Eva Perón, Woman of the Bicentenary (1919-1952)” is part of a series which pays tribute to the most relevant women in the Argentine politic history. The first one is Evita, one of the most renowned Argentine women around the world, who has exceeded reality to become a myth and a popular culture icon of the XX Century.

The initiative which reviews the life of the former First Lady of the three times President of Argentina Juan Domingo Perón (1946-1952, 1952-1955 y 1973-1974) was born in the Ministry of Education and will be used as a temporary exhibition in public schools. The 33 panels which form the exhibition have different pictures and information on her life, along with unpublished texts and images, were shown yesterday in the Casa Rosada.

Evita was born in Los Toldos, province of Buenos Aires, on May 7th, 1919. She moved to Buenos Aires City as a teenager seeking to be an actress. She met Juan Domingo Perón in 1944, two years before he became President for the first time. They got married on October 22, 1945. As First Lady, she collaborated with her husband to promote social aid projects and to defend the rights of Argentine women.

One of the most important achievements of his work is the women right to vote (1951) which she promoted. Eva Perón died on June 26, 1952 of uterine cancer. Her death gave life to the myth depicted on the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical “Evita” and the movie with the same name starred by Madonna.

THE MECCA OF LGBT TOURISM (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The positive social and economic effects of the recently approved “Law of Egalitarian Marriage” (allowing the marriage between people of the same sex), are here. Two weeks after its approval and one after coming into effect we are much more than just a more egalitarian society but also the new Mecca of LGBT tourism in Latin America. Specialists say that the new law will position Buenos Aires as the greatest regional destiny.

For some years now, our city has been part of the growing list of gay friendly cities, leading the regional market segment with Rio de Janeiro. Now, it’s expected to become the new center for the so called “pink dollars”. Local segment businessmen salute the initiative which is already manifesting its positive effects on the number of visitors in their different enterprises (from boutique hotels, specialized stores and bars to sailing boats, tango classes, book stores and winery dedicated to this segment).

In the last week, requests for marriage have multiplied in the registries across the city. This growth has also brought special promotions for honeymoons by the River Plate. But not only had Buenos Aires (main Argentine destiny) benefited from the new tourist wave, many provinces limiting with border countries are receiving twice the visitors they used to (from countries like Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia).

Argentina improves its tourist strategy and places itself in this new market segment, along with a more inclusive society that grew in the respect of differences and tolerance, which improve us, everyday. Hostel Colonial, as usual, is ready to warmly receive everybody who wants to enjoy Buenos Aires City. For those who know us and recommend us, and the others which wish to share their stay in a peaceful respectful environment, ¡You are welcome!

O QUE É O ROCK NACIONAL? (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

Nas rádios, nos recitales, entre grupos de argentinos, o termo “rock nacional” supõe algo que para o turista pode ser completamente estranho. O Rock Nacional, com maiúsculas, é o rock em espanhol que começou gestar por imitação do rock estadunidense e britânico, nos fins dos anos 60 em Buenos Aires. Esse rock, o Rock Nacional, foi o primeiro rock em espanhol do mundo e tem mantido por anos uma marca particular, reconhecida na Latino-América toda.

Um poquinho por imitação, outro poquinho pelas condições similares de vida, a juventude portenha dos fins dos anos 60, decidiu fazer rock. As primeras agrupações cantavam num duvidoso inglês (melhor chamado de fonética, cantando a pronúncia), até que um jovem chamado Lito Nebbia escreveu num Bar do bairro de Once, nas esquinas das Avenidas Rivadavia e Jujuy (La Perla), o que sería o primeiro hino do rock local: La Balsa (A Balsa).

Essa canção, que alguns liam como uma metáfora do consumo da maconha, foi o primeiro sucesso da banda “Los Gatos”, o primeiro grupo de rock 100% argentino. Em paralelo, outro grupo chamado “Almendra” (Amêndoa) se consolidou como o mais revolucionário da época. Seu principal compositor Luis Alberto Spinetta, sería a primeira grande figura do rock local. Ambos artistas continuam até hoje alimentando o som jovem de Buenos Aires.

Ademais dos mencionados, entre os solitas e bandas que tem construido o rock argentino se encontram: Pescado Rabioso, Charly García, Gustavo Cerati, Andrés Calamaro, Celeste Carballo, Pappo, León Gieco, Fito Páez, Sui Generis, Serú Girán, Soda Stereo, Miguel Mateos, Los Violadores, Virus, Sumo, Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Attaque 77, Los Pericos, La Renga, Bersuit Vergarabat e Los Piojos. O Rock Nacional é a preferência de muitos jovens e há tempo que marca a vida portenha tanto como o tango.

TOURIST GUIDES IN 10 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The Buenos Aires City Government has created comprehensive and simple tourist guides in the 10 most frequent Buenos Aires visitor’s languages. In its website, you can find the dull *pdf versions of these Buenos Aires introductions in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Russian, French, Chinese (including a simplified version), Italian, English, Japanese and Arab. The project seeks to facilitate the tourist’s access to the city.

A simple index including five subjects: “The City”, “Useful Phones and Addresses”, “Tours”, “Services” and “Activities”, all of them including precise and updated information on Buenos Aires. The idea is to expand the language availability each year, as the existing guides will only need a brief update.

In “The City” you can find basic data as the location of Buenos Aires, its people (the Porteños), language, religion, climate, health level, tourist seasons, security, holidays and currency, among others. In “Useful Phones and Addresses”, information on the specific entities dedicated to tourists, which serve in different languages as the Tourist Police Station, the Tourist Ombudsman, embassies and consulates.

In “Tours”, suggestions on guided visits to the Buenos Aires neighborhoods and places you must see. The section “Services” offers you info on accommodations, food, transportation and a series of recommendations for tourists. Finally, on “Activities”, a full list with the basic and traditional Buenos Aires (museums, tango, famous bars, cinemas, plan for the night, etc.). Buenos Aires offers the Tourist Guide and Hostel Colonial the perfect accommodation.

MATRIMÔNIO IGUALITÁRIO NA ARGENTINA (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

Na madrugada de hoje, a Argentina se converteu no primeiro pais da América Latina em outorgar direitos igualitários para homens e mulheres ao respeito do matrimônio civil. A lei que tem sido chamada de mil nomes (matrimônio para todos e todas, matrimônio igualitário, matrimônio gay, matrimônio para pessoas do mesmo sexo) finalmente se promulgou, pondo ao nosso pais na vanguarda em matéria de Direitos Humanos na Região.

A Argentina se soma à ainda escassa lista de 9 países que têm lei de matrimônio civil para todos seus habitantes sem distinção pela sua orientação sexual como: os Países Baixos (2001), Bélgica (2003), Espanha (2005), Canadá (2005), África do Sul (2006), Noruega (2009), Suécia (2009), Portugal (2010) e Islândia (2010). O direito também rege em seis estados dos Estados Unidos e na Cidada do México (único outro distrito da América Latina).

De esta forma, a Argentina se atualiza em matéria de direitos civis e dando reconhecimento legal aos 9 matrimônios de pessoas do mesmo sexo já realizadosno nosso pais, com aval da justiça. Líderes da comunidade LGBTTI (lésbica, gays, bissexuais, travesti, transexuais e intersexuais) e milhares de pessoas reunidas ao fronte do Congresso da Nação, celebraram perto das 3.15 AM, hora local, a promulgação da lei.

Ademais de exemplo regional, a Argentina se posiciona ainda mais no mercado do turismo “gay friendly”, onde se espera que milhões de pessoas se aproximem não só para conhecer Buenos Aires e as demais cidades do pais, senão também para concretizar o seu matrimônio. Hostel Colonial, como sempre, estará esperando-os com as melhores sugestões para a sua lua-de-mel.

REOPENING OF GÜEMES GALLERY (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

In April 2010, the windowed balcony of one of the most famous Downtown galleries reopened. Built in 1915, the Güemes Gallery was the first skyscraper of Buenos Aires, 14 floors and 87 meters tall, it offers a privileged view of the city. Outstanding exponent of the Art Nouveau movement, this gallery also known as “Paseo Florida” is on of the best buildings in Downtown Buenos Aires, few blocks away from Hostel Colonial.

On 150 Florida St., this architectonic jewel hosted several stores through the years. In its basement, from a theater to a cabaret, many pubs and restaurants (including the one on the 14 floor) gave life to this gallery. Art Nouveau styled, the building contains many significant works by the most renowned Argentine architects. Its interior is full of ornaments, cantilevers and lights made of bronze, sculptures, forges and tons of marble.

A 116 meters passage connecting Florida St. and San Martín St. (the San Martín part of the building belonged to the Supervielle Bank), crowned by red granite, Italian marble, glass panels and two majestic domes. Its elevators are also famous by their particular design. Among its outstanding visitors are the French writer Saint-Exupéry who lived in one of the gallery’s apartments and wrote “Night flight”. In the restaurant “Piazzolla Tango” (former “Burlesque”) sang Gardel, while the famous Argentine writer Julio Cortazar dedicated its story “The other heaven” to this place.

Its windowed balcony can be visited every Thursday and offers a 360° privileged view of Downtown Buenos Aires. From there, you might see the Barolo Palace, the Congress, the River Plate and –in a good day with high visibility- the Uruguayan coast. The Güemes Gallery is a must for tourists and in these days it can be fully enjoyed with the reopening of its balcony.

ALTERNATIVE TANGO SCENE (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The revival of tango keeps expanding its options in our city. Its tourist potential has built a solid scene between the neighborhoods of Palermo and San Telmo, which receives millions of tourist a year. But, every time an offer consolidates, in parallel, an alternative scene is born. The “tango off circuit”, as some people call it, offers more economic and less commercial options for tango lovers.

In traditional popular neighborhoods, tango spaces reproduce, preserving its mystic and codes while attracting thousands of Porteños whom, by economic or taste reasons, have marginalize themselves from the tango for export. In Neighborhoods as Almagro, Balvanera, the Abasto or Parque Patricios, tango rebirths. Places where tango has always been a way of life, which represent the most genuine tango style.

In different pubs, restaurants or theaters you can enjoy live tango or dance to it. Some of the most renowned underground tango singers wonder around these places that are building their own tango myth. Tourists are welcome in any of these spots, but it’s hard to find a translator, that’s why it’s recommended to go with someone that speaks Spanish.

Some of the most famous places are: Lo de Roberto (331 Bulnes St.), Sanata Bar (3501 Sarmiento St.), the CAFF (764 Sánchez de Bustamante St. ), Bar Musetta (894 Billinghurst St.), La Catedral (4006 Sarmiento St.), La Garufa en el Konex (3131 Sarmiento St.), the Orlando Goñi Theater (2536 Cochabamba St.) and Bar El Chino (3566 Beazley St.), among others.

ESQUINA DE SAN JUAN E BOEDO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

Se o tango tivesse um lugar geográfico na cidade de Buenos Aires, esse lugar sería a esquina da avenida San Juan e a rua Boedo. No bairro de Boedo, no centro da cidade, esta esquina condensa o espírito popular e do bairro do tango. Retratada por Homero Manzi, um dos maiores poetas tangueros, na letra do tango “Sur”, tem sido históricamente ocupada por um bar de mil nomes e um sentimento só.

Lugar tradicional de Buenos Aires, o bar da esquina foi construido em 1927. Seu apogeu foi durante a década dos 40, quando as orquestras de tango iluminavam a avenida Corrientes e os músicos que as integravam, passavam o dia inteiro nas mesas deste café. Nesses tempos era o “Café do Aeroplano”, que logo se chamaría de “Nipón” e mais tarde “Canadian”. Desde o ano 2000, esta esquina conhiecida hoje como Esquina Homero Manzi, tem revivido.

Homero Manzi imortaliçou essa esquina com a composição da letra do tango “Sur”, um dos mais famosos e mais interpretados da história do tango. O mesmo começa com a estrofe: “San Juan e Boedo antiga, e o ceu todo, Pompeya e além a inundação. O seu cabelo de noiva na lembrança e seu nome florando no adeus”. Uma melancólica lembrança dum amor juvenil que hoje trocou em esquina.

Atualmente pode se encontrar alí o tradicional café, que ademais, na noite, funciona como tanguería. Oferece um espetáculo de tango com música ao vivo (um grupo de contrabaixo, bandônio e violino), com dois cantantes e três pares de bailarinos. Um lugar que representa o mais auténtico do tango de subúrbio. Para eles que quiseram conhecer as raizes do tango, um lugar especial para se acercar ao ritmo rioplatense.

THE PONCHO (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The “poncho” is a typical regional garment. Although its use is common in most of the countries of South America, in Argentina it’s strongly associated with the figure of “the gauchos”. These men are the incarnation of the Argentine country people. They use to live riding their horses and knew the nature and its mysteries like no one else. Among the few things they carried along in their journeys through the Pampa was the poncho.

This garment is a simple-design coat, consisting of a rectangular piece of heavy thick material, in which center a whole is made for the head. The material –while covering the whole body- must be placed in a way that suits the proper arms movement. Experts say that the name comes from the native Quechua tongue “punchu”, meaning the same as “poncho”.

Being originally a garment of the natives of this part of the continent, the poncho was quickly adopted by the creoles that work in the country by its utility and versatility. The design of every poncho varies according to the country, region or town that represents. The most famous Argentine poncho is “the poncho salteño” (from the province of Salta), red colored with black stripes. Another typical poncho is the one from the Northern Province of Jujuy, brown colored.

Nowadays, it’s possible to find ponchos anywhere in our country. Although they are not usual garments in Buenos Aires, you might see them in many provinces, especially in those of the North Western area of Argentina (Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca). Nevertheless, you can get them in Buenos Aires stores, as a gift or curiosity.

THE BUS OF THE MUSEUMS (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Buenos Aires will inaugurate soon a tourist bus that will travel through its main museums. The trip will be available during this winter vacations and will travel across Libertador and Figueroa Alcorta avenues. Those who prefer it, might do it walking or in their bicycles. 40 blocks and 15 museums among which stand out the Latin American Art Museum (MALBA) and the Planetarium. “The Mile of the Museums” is here.

The project is inspired in those of cities like Madrid, London or New York, where similar buses work. It includes 15 of the 120 museums of the city including: Torre Monumental, the Hispanic American Art Museum Isaac Fernández Blanco, the Railway Museum, the Architecture and Design Museum (MARQ), the Palais de Glace, the Recoleta Cultural Center, The Fine Arts National Museum, The Car Club Musem, the Decorative Arts Museum, the Traditional Art Museum José Hernández, the Metropolitan Museum, the mentioned MALBA, the Evita Museum, the Planetarium and the Sívori Museum.

The idea is to link these museums for those who regularly visit only one of them. Looking forward to give an incentive to Porteños and tourists to build their own path through the different options. The designer’s proposal has two tours to visit the museums in 48 hours or three days, according to their disposition and preferences. Each museum will be identified by clear signs. In addition, in their interiors, digital screens will inform about the temporary exhibitions in the different spaces.

The bus will work from Tuesday to Sunday, from 12PM to 6PM and will stop in the regular bus stops. There will also be an alternative circuit that will include other museums and art galleries nearby. The cost of the ticket is 70 Argentine pesos (17 American dollars) for the general public, 50 Argentine pesos (12 American dollars) for neighbors and 35 Argentine pesos (9 American dollars) for kids under 12 years and retired persons.

CURIOSIDADES DA PRAÇA DO CONGRESSO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

Uma das praças mais simbólicas de Buenos Aires, junto à Plaza de Mayo (Praça de Maio), é a Plaza del Congreso (Praça do Congresso). Na realidade, é un conjunto de três praças, entre as ruas Entre Ríos, Rivadavia, Hipólito Irigoyen e Virrey Ceballos. Ademais de formar parte das clássicas postais portenhas, tem uma série de monumentos significativos e curiosas histórias como essa que lhe da seu nome popular de Praça dos Dois Congressos.

As praças que compõem o agrupamento são: Plaza Lorea (a mais distante do Congresso), Plaza Mariano Moreno (no meio) e a Plaza del Congreso (à frente do mesmo). Esta última é conhecida como Praça dos Dois Congressos. O mito diz que o nome se deve a que o Congresso tem debaixo una estrutura similar, como espelho, que são seu alicerce e subterrâneos. Embora a estrutura é similar ao descrito, a verdade é que o nome provem do monumento principal que homenagea os dois congressos que constituiram a pátria em 1813 e 1816.

A construção das praças foi feita no Centenário da Nação, em 1910, com a ideia de manter grandes espaços abertos e que recebam a luz do sol, segundo a tradição da época. Anteriormente, existia uma pequena lagoa que foi recheiada para construir o espaço verde. Na zona norte da Plaza Lorea está o monólito que estabelece o Km. 0, desde onde se contam as distâncias no nosso pais.

Entre as praças há monumentos de vários ex presidentes e homens importantes da pátria como Mariano Moreno, Ricardo Balbín, Alfredo Palacios e José Manuel Estrada. Além do mencionado Monumento dos Dois Congressos, que pode se visitar e permite uma bonita vista desde suas escadarias. À frente da praça, na esquina de Callao e Rivadavia, está a tradicional Casa do Moinho, um café de 1860 que pronto será restaurado.