Tango, Color and Midnight Magic in Buenos Aires

I moved to the United States 21 years ago. And ever since I started my US school career starting in high school, all my Spanish language assignments/classes seemed to gravitate towards the country of Argentina. I was also fortunate to obtain a part time job in college at a local Argentinean steakhouse where I learned so much more about the country’s food, heritage, customs, wine and so much more. As a non-native Spanish speaker, I was writing school projects about the Guarani tribe, the Mothers of the Desaparecidos, the Peron family, the extreme climate in Jujuy and the wines it produces. I was fascinated by the resilience of the Argentinean people to push forward despite the various civil and international upheavals.

So, when I hopped on the plane from Lima to Buenos Aires, my heart was thumping fast with excitement. When I landed, I could feel how the city pulses with energy and charm at every turn. I settled at a beautiful Airbnb in Palermo Soho which charms visitors with its boutique shops, colorful murals, and bustling cafés. I took the afternoon to just watch the stunning sunset from my balcony while hearing the bustle of the city outside. The following day, I decided to take a walking tour to the city center. The iconic Plaza de Mayo and the elegant Casa Rosada offer a window into the nation’s rich history, while the nearby Avenida de Mayo leads you to the magnificent Palacio Barolo. Walking around the widest avenue in the city that leads to the Obelisk felt like I was part of all the celebrations the city has had in sports, politics, arts and culture.

In the evening myself and seven other tourists hailing from UK, US and Germany took an incredible Palermo food tour. We visited five restaurants representing various cuisines predominately from Europe. Finishing off with a Gelato was the cherry on top.

No visit is complete without experiencing the grandeur of Teatro Colón, a masterpiece of architecture and one of the world’s finest opera houses. I had some time in the afternoon, so I went to stroll around the colorful art district of La Boca. Here the Caminito's bright facades and street performers truly embody the city’s artistic soul. I topped off the evening at the Trade Sky Bar where I got to experience a 360 degrees panoramic sunset view of the city.

The following day, I took another walking tour of the Retiro district and the Plaza San Martin. Here I learned about the war with England over the Falkland Islands as well as the long arduous dictatorship in the 70s and 80s. In the evening, I stumbled upon a local theatre. Seeing a live performance in Spanish was truly a memorable experience. I loved how the actors played out the various conflicts and tensions that arise in personal relationships affected by the current political climate in Argentina.

I had another beautiful weather day to walk around various museums close to the Plaza de Naciones Unidas and the Japanese Garden before heading to the San Telmo district. Closeby was the theatre of Tango Catulo. What a spectacular show with authentic live music and dancers. I really was in awe of the talents of the dancing group and teared up multiple times watching so many beautiful stories of the history of Argentina unfolding through dance.

On my final day, I returned to the La Boca neighborhood for a walking tour and got to experience the vibrations of the city through all the music, dancing, food and shopping. I finished off my Buenos Aires trip with a breathtaking full moon midnight cruise on Rio de la Plata. The city lights were sparkling as the full moon was rising from the water, Buenos Aires truly unveiled its romantic side under a canopy of stars. Watching the locals let loose dancing to famous local music, I started feeling like I was merging with the energy of the city. Buenos Aires, the sweet European charm with the strong Latin American spirit. I am definitely coming back!