Buenos Aires Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping in Buenos Aires can be an adventure or a headache depending on your  language ability and need for specific items. In most of Argentina people still buy groceries  the old fashioned way . . . no they don’t trade tomatoes for sausage; they shop in a dozen different stores for different types of products.  We have a butcher half a block from us, a vegetable stand on one corner, a bakery around the other corner and two small "supermarkets" which are usually owned by Asians (and sometimes certain products are cheaper here). But if you want to find almost  everything in one place there is a solution- Coto!!! Coto is a massive grocery/consumer goods store.  It is a little like Super Wal-mart or Target, but  not quite as nice.  The first time I discovered Coto, I was overwhelmed because from the outside Coto looked like just another grocery store. Maybe it was a little larger and brighter than the  rest, but when I went inside to see if they had soy milk,  I was wowed by the selection of various products and how the store seemed to never end.   They sell everything; fans, refrigerators, TVs, 20 different brands of toilet paper, fresh meat,  a variety of wine and alcohol.  I couldn’t believe it!  You could find anything you needed in  one single store!!!  As tempting as it was to buy two cart loads of items, we knew the walk home  would be too much, so we purchased my soy milk and some paper towels (which are smaller than the average) and made our way to the checkout.  That is when we learned – Coto Delivers!!! All you have to do is shop as normal, then tell the check-out clerk you would like it delivered.  Make sure you know your full address, and a few hours later your groceries items will be brought to your front door.  They have air conditioned vans that drive around the city making deliveries, so you don’t have to worry about spoiling meats and vegetables.  It is only a few pesos, plus  a tip to the delivery boy.  Isn’t Buenos Aires wonderful? There are other grocery stores in Buenos Aires, like Disco, Dia Supermercado and Carrefour.   My favorite (after Coto) is  Disco.  It is usually well lit and well stocked.  The Disco’s can vary  from one neighborhood to the next, but overall they are much nicer than the other supermarkets. At the Disco you can find everything you NEED to make a nice dinner, but you may not find  everything you want.  For example, we wanted pepper, plain black ground pepper, but all we could find was peppercorns.  At Coto we found a small package of ground pepper at least,  but it was a little hard to find it. It seems like pepper it is not just that popular here as it is in the States. Even at the restaurants, all you are going to see on the table is salt...not pepper...? Shopping at Coto or Disco can be an easy, relaxing experience (except for the slow cashiers and the fact that they take forever to swipe a card the old fashioned way) but I wouldn’t make it my only grocery shopping destination.  I believe there is something romantic about stepping into the  past, about having to interact with people before taking home your groceries.  I really enjoy  talking to a butcher to get your meat, tasting the cheese at the local cheese store before you make a purchase, and having freshly baked bread from the neighborhood bakery.  Not to  mention, the food always taste better after you’ve walked to five different shops to buy it. =) Note: Make sure you know that if you are ready to check out in one of the lanes that  says "15 items or less" THEY REALLY MEAN IT! Otherwise, prepare to leave some of your items behind :s

11 Reasons to Stop Dreaming and Start Planning Your Round the World Trip (First Part)

You may never have heard or read the letters R-T-W before.  If you don’t know their meaning, that’s all right.  If you do know their meaning and have contemplated taking one, then you have come to the right place.

If you are a travel lover, an adventurer, or are questioning what it is you really want out of life, then maybe it’s time you find out what those three little letters mean, and why it is that you should consider taking a Round The World trip of your own.

Some think it’s crazy, some think it’s impossible, some think, “There’s no way I could do it.”  I’m here to let you in a little secret.  It’s certainly not crazy.  It’s most definitely possible.  And yes, there is a way you could do it.  So get rid of those excuses and get ready to hit the road for a life-changing adventure.

1.     You are only going to get older.

 “I’m not 18, or 22, or (fill in whatever age you think is still appropriate for traveling for an extended period of time), so I can’t do that.”  

Whether you’re 17 and sitting in class right now, or whether you’re already retired sitting at home sipping your morning coffee, or you’re at any age in between, one thing is for sure: you are only going to get older.  So now is the time.  No matter your age, as time goes on, it’s common you will want more comfort and less adventure in your life.  It’s a lot easier to endure 24 hour bus rides, stinky, grimy, loud hostels, and multi-day treks through the Andes when you’re young.  These are many of the things you may have to do when on an extended trip around the world, and the older you get, the less likely you are to enjoy these types of activities.  One thing is certain, though, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to pull the trigger.

2.    In many cases, it’s cheaper to travel than to live at home.

One of the biggest reasons people give for not traveling long-term is that they can’t afford it.  That’s simply a myth.  Having the discipline to save for a trip of this magnitude is certainly not easy, nor is having to bypass luxuries like going out for dinner and drinks and buying that new car, television, or outfit.  But thinking that a RTW trip is only for the rich or those with a trust fund is simply wrong.

When we’re talking about the everyday expenses of traveling vs. living at home, particularly for those living in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere around Europe, chances are it’s going to be cheaper to travel for an extended period of time than to live at home.  Mortgage payments, rent, bills, car payments, food, and drinks are all more expensive in western countries.  Traveling around the world to areas like South America, Africa, SE Asia, India, the Middle East, and even parts of Eastern Europe are much cheaper than simply living your everyday life at home.

Even if you’re a little older than the gap-year traveler straight out of high school or those in their early-mid twenties traveling right after college, you can still get by easily in many parts of the world for about $35-40/day.  And that’s for everything.  Accommodation (even private rooms with your own bathroom), food, transport, and activities are all included in that price tag.  Try living in the US, England, Canada, or Oz for that much.

3.    You will learn much more from experiencing different cultures than sitting behind a desk or in a classroom.

While school, work, and a career are certainly important, they’re not the most important things in life.  Educating oneself and expanding your horizons can have more impact on you as a person than your job, career, or even schooling.  You can experience new and interesting cultures on a daily basis and educate yourself on how the rest of the world lives while traveling.

It’s easier to understand a country like India if you are there, talking to the citizens and experiencing their daily lives than by reading a book.  You can see for yourself the impact that war and poverty have had in countries like Laos and Cambodia while you’re there, perhaps volunteering and making a difference.  You can learn many new skills, like patience and communication with other cultures while on the road much easier than you can while sitting in a cube.  Education and careers are important, and I certainly don’t mean to downplay either, but getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing different cultures firsthand can have a much bigger impact on your life than a year of schooling and/or work.  Besides, work and school will still be there when you return.

4.    If you’re not well traveled, here’s your chance.

Not everyone was lucky enough to grow up in a family that was well-traveled (mine certainly wasn’t).  Many people in their twenties and thirties may never have left their home country before.  And while this may deter some from embarking on a trip like this, it absolutely should not.  In fact, it should be a motivator to get on the road and see the world.  Don’t use “I’ve never left my country, it will be too hard” as an excuse.  Yes, it will be hard at times, but the only way to become a traveler and see the world is to actually get out there and travel.

If you’ve dreamed of seeing the world and traveling for an extended period of time, then do it!  This is your chance!  This was a concern of ours before our trip.  We had only been to Guatemala (to resorts and with family) so places like  Buenos Aires  seemed very intimidating to us.  While there are certainly challenges along the way, the high points far outweighed the low ones, and forcing ourselves outside of our comfort zone provides us with lasting memories.  Not having traveled much before is simply an excuse, and there’s only one way to change that.

5.    You can be free from all your baggage.

While I’m very far from being a minimalist, there was just something freeing about living out of a suitcase for 6 months.  Having all my possessions there just makes life easier.  There is no pondering for an hour about which outfit to wear or what shoes to put on (when you only have 5 or 6 outfits and 4 pairs of shoes, it’s much simpler).  A lot of the time, more stuff means more headaches.

Don’t misunderstand me here.  I like stuff.  I grew up some and live in the US, a culture built upon collecting as much stuff as you can.  And while I do still enjoy having nice stuff, I can say now that happiness does not only come from how many possessions one has.  Happiness, at least for me, comes more from experiences, from living life, from seeing amazing sites and meeting new and interesting people.  You can have your 5 pairs of $100 jeans.  I’ll take my suitcase, my non-good-looking zip-off pants, and a t-shirt.

6.    You can be free to finally pursue what it is you truly love.

When you’re working 50-60 hours a week and have family, friends, and obligations, it’s difficult to pursue what it is that truly makes you happy.  Sure, there are some who are lucky enough to love their job and have that as their passion.  But the majority of us don’t do what we really want to do for our careers.  We do what it is we have to do to get by.  This is your chance to do something different.

Have you always dreamt about getting certified to teach yoga?  Have you always wanted to learn how to scuba dive?  Do you love photography but never had the time to really work on it?  Have you thought about volunteering with young children in need?  Do you want to learn how to cook a new cuisine?   Whatever your dream or passion is, a RTW trip will allow you the time and freedom to finally pursue those dreams.  The excuses for not following what it is you truly love are now gone, replaced by all the time and freedom in the world.  If I was ranking these reasons, this would probably be #1.  There is no price tag for getting a second chance to do what it is you love.  And extended travel releases you from your obligations and gives you that chance.

"The Subte in Buenos Aires"

The subway or "Subte" only runs in Buenos Aires Capital. There are in total 6 lines: A to E and H. Line A is the oldest line and they are currently building a new line which will run from Line A to the Retiro neighborhood.


Line A is almost a tourist attraction in itself! They still use the old, wooden carriages. Some tourists only use Line A to experience this.


Tourists maps of Buenos Aires include information on the metro system. You will find it displayed on the walls in the metro stations. The Metro stations are marked on the outside at the entrance of the building. Each line has it's own colour for example Line A is in red etc.


You will find the ticket offices or Boleterias inside the metro station. Tickets are not expensive +- 1.50 pesos per ride. You pay per ride and it is not important where you go to.You can also buy tickets in bulk or buy a metro card. If I can remember correctly you can only buy 10 tickets at a time.


The Metro can be very crowded at times and I do suggest you avoid the peak hours if possible. If you really want to experience the Metro, please keep in mind that there are a lot of pickpockets, so be ALERT at all times. 


We decided to try it out. To our surprise there was a girl at the station that was looking at us too much. She looked like she was 16. Two minutes later, a guy in his 40's approached to her and started talking to each other...they both were looking at us too much. 


As soon as we got in to the Subte they kept looking at us and kept following us around.  I know this because I kept moving around just to see if they would too. 


And yes!  They tried to block Scott first and when I saw that happen I knew they wanted to steal from us. So the doors opened and I just told Scott we should get out, leaving the pickpockets behind. They were NOT able to get ANYTHING from us!!!


Because I grew up in Guatemala and unfortunately the crime there is a lot worse than here, I was very ALERT all the time. Still, I didn't like the experience...my heart was beating so fast!!!


After that experience, I don't know how long is it going to take before we get on a Subte again... I really don't want to ride it again. I will stick with Taxis (which are really cheap here!) and I will try the "Colectivos" or buses... we will see. 

The First 3 and 1/2 days in Argentina

The plane was delayed more than 2 hours. Mechanical issues, had to change planes. We landed to Buenos Aires around 1pm. 

Gorgeous day!!!! lots of traffic. Graciela went to pick us up and she gave us lots of tips about the city but it was too much info to remember all!!! Here is what I remember:

1. Don't pay taxis with dollars because sometimes they will give you back fake pesos

2. Almost everything you buy here you buy in kilos

3. If you go to a "Panaderia" (Bakery) make sure you try the "Facturas" 

4. Be careful at the "Subte" (Subway) there are a lot of pickpockets  there

5. If you get a phone card for your cell phone get a  "Movistar" not a "Claro" one

6. Don't leave your Ipod or laptops unattended in a coffee shop, etc, etc, etc

So far, Argentinian people have been very nice to us... they've helped us a lot!! 

We are still on the lookout of an apartment, it hasn't been as easy as we thought. We want to live in a nice area (Recoleta or Palermo Soho) and we want a nice apartment...of course, but it seams that the really nice ones are extremely expensive. Most of them include: water, electricity, a cell phone we can use (we need to buy only a phone card), maid once a week, cable and Wi fi (very important). Tomorrow we have three more appointments. Hopefully we find the right one.

Ok, now, these are the little things I've noticed in these past few days in Buenos Aires:

1. There are many, many restaurants that have the name of the restaurant and also say "Parrillada y Pasta" Almost all the menus have pasta dishes. Pasta is a big thing as well as "Milanesa" (Breaded chicken, beef, pork, you name it). We had chicken "Milanesa" for lunch on Thursday and the portion was HUGE, it came with "Ensalada mixta" which is lettuce, tomatoes, onions with olive oil, lemon and vinegar...delicious!!!

BTW, restaurants here open from 12pm to 4pm and from 8pm to 2 am. Make sure you arrive around 10pm for dinner because otherwise the restaurant is going to be empty! 

2. Most of the Argentinian girls (and a lot of guys too) wear skinny jeans or leggings (not the guys) even if they are Not too skinny themselves, hehehe. Also they use high leather boots, Vans or Converse (soooo popular here!). Because is Autumn here, they wear a lot of dark clothes but they combine them with bright shoes!!! my Zumba shoes are going to fit in just right!! :)

3. Young people party here NO MATTER WHAT  until 5 or 6 am...our hotel is right next to the street and they keep waking us up! :s 

4. I haven't seen 1 toilet that has a "handle" or "lever" to flush, all of them have a "button" on the wall or on the toilet itself. 

5. You get to walk a ton! around here, which is good, because we need it. I've discovered that the best shoes to walk around the city so far are my "Danskos." They are great!!! My ankle hasn't hurt at all.

6. There is a red and a green light in every "Apartment Complex or Building" and the red one goes off every time a car is about to come out. It is like a warning sign for everyone on the streets, but makes a lot of noise for a while.

7. Food and coffee are not that cheap in restaurants, so we are going to cook some and we are going to buy a lot of  "Groupons" for restaurants.

8. Don't say the word "Coger" as it means something different (not good) than "Agarrar" (to grab) here. I made the mistake of saying "Puedo coger un menu?" ("Can I grab a menu?") and TOTALLY forgot you are not supposed to say that!!!! ahhhhrrr!!!!! Of course the owner of the restaurant smiled at me and say "Of course you can "Coger" a menu!"

Well, we also have visited the famous bookstore called "El Ateno", which is inside what it used to be a theater, and it is one of the most amazing bookstores I've seen. This one is on Santa Fe Street.

We already went to the famous cemetery and everything was very familiar to me, as Guatemalan cemeteries are similar to this one, but for Scott it was something totally different...

Here are a few pictures of our trip so far:

Having coffe in the Recoleta area. "La Biela" Coffee Shop, very famous and
it was next to a huge tree:

El Ateno! beautiful, they have a coffee shop in the "Stage" area

Steak and Potatoes Au Gratin

The Cemetery

The Cemetery

I will try to update my blog as often as I can. We are trying to get settled and we have been very busy. Please pray that we are safe and that doors can be open for us during our stay in the beautiful Buenos Aires!!