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[Eccocid]

So i am finally at Buenos Aires(been a month actually) with only 10 words of Spanish

I was very surprised that it has almost no latin culture in here. More like a European city. Even tho city has just around 4-5 million people, it feels like more crowded.
I was in New York before i come here for 4 months but i can easily say the night life in BA is much more lively than in New York. Especially at weekends people go out and dine at around 11pm then they move to bars till 2-3 am. Most of the clubs are empty before 2am and they are at their peak till 5! and ppl go to their homes at around 7 fuck!

I was kinda disappointed with food. I was exoecting more variety (i am a Turkish we have so much stuff etc) and they fucking live near the sea but they totally ignore it and dont eat fish a lot. But steaks are good and cheap. For the first 4 days i guess i was eating steaks every night.

Now i plan to stay in Argentine for another 2 months, rent a room in Palermo in BA and planning to make short trips to other cities and Uruguay(i heard its very nice).

Anyone around here, or travelling around these parts?

Salut!

 

[slider]

Argentinian steak is untouchable. And, as you say, ridiculously cheap.

I'm gonna spout some cliches about Argentinians that, it seems, the rest of the continent has.

1) They're more European than South American... and they therefore think they're "better".
2) The men are overgrown kids... live with their parents for years and years.
3) They're very good looking (my own observation).

Spoiler

Oooh, controversial eh?

4) Strangely there's a sizeable Welsh community in Argentina...
5) As interesting as the place is make sure you explore the rest of the continent. So much to see!

 

[Eccocid]

Argentinian steak is untouchable. And, as you say, ridiculously cheap.

I'm gonna spout some cliches about Argentinians that, it seems, the rest of the continent has.

1) They're more European than South American... and they therefore think they're "better".
2) The men are overgrown kids... live with their parents for years and years.
3) They're very good looking (my own observation).

Spoiler

Oooh, controversial eh?

4) Strangely there's a sizeable Welsh community in Argentina...
5) As interesting as the place is make sure you explore the rest of the continent. So much to see!

Yeah the men living with parents is same as in Turkey. Kids usually leave home when they get married lol.

And yeah ppl are really good looking in here. And they dress really good too oh and i noticed all girls and women have long hairs! havent seen a female with a short hair.

 

[slider]

I take it Argentina is the first country on the continent you landed at? If so, where else you thinking of going? If I had to pick other places to go I'd say...

1) Venezuela for Angel Falls
2) Iguaza Falls (Brazilian side is definitely better)
3) Patagonia
And in case you're not a nature freak...
4) Medellin/Cartagena... Bogota.
5) Brazil!

I'm back off to Quito soon and there's an old colonial town that's supposedly the best on the continent. I'll try to get details before I go and try to let you know. I'm also digging the Inca stuff... I'll look through my old notes and let you know about that too!

EDIT: My gf just walked in and told me it's called Cuenca. I had a quick Google and it looks interesting... if that's your sort of thing.

vicious... thanks for the post.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Argentinian steak is untouchable. And, as you say, ridiculously cheap.

I'm gonna spout some cliches about Argentinians that, it seems, the rest of the continent has.

1) They're more European than South American... and they therefore think they're "better".
2) The men are overgrown kids... live with their parents for years and years.
3) They're very good looking (my own observation).

Spoiler

Oooh, controversial eh?

4) Strangely there's a sizeable Welsh community in Argentina...
5) As interesting as the place is make sure you explore the rest of the continent. So much to see!

1) Yeah, Argentinians are full of themselves, think of themselves as European while at the same time priding themselves on their Gaucho heritage. Go figure. In fact, it's a common source of jokes about them:

Two Argentinians were talking, one says to the other "Say, che, which, out of all of the countries in the world is the closest one to heaven?"

"Why, Argentina, che!"

"No, che. It's Uruguay."

"What to you mean, che? How could it be Uruguay?"

"Because they share a border with Argentina, che!"

There's also a joke that says that you should never marry an Argentinian girl because she'll try to make you move there.

2) I don't know about the men being overgrown kids for staying at home for so long, but that's a common enough thing in Latin America.

3) They're generally good looking, but Brazilians, Venezuelans and Costa Ricans have them beat.

4) There's little Euro-enclaves all over the place in Argentina. Including Germans. Lots and lots of Germans.

5) Definitely explore the rest of the continent. Uruguay, Brazil and Peru are must-sees. Skip Bolivia and Paraguay though. Places be depressing.

But yes, their steak can't be touched, especially beef backstrap (lomito de rez). They also have sing-song accents with that horrible "sh/zh" sound on their "y"s and "ll"s. It's really quite grating. The Spanish word for beach is playa (pl-eye-a), but they pronounce it (pl-eye-sha).

 

[Eccocid]

Venezuela is too far but i dunno if i can find cheap flights to there.
First i will go to Mendoza and Cordoba oh also Izguazu falls of course. I am planning to make a small trip to Uruguay to Punta del Diablo(a small fishing town but looks very calm)
I heard so many great things about Columbia, all the travelers that i had met who are travelling in South America kept saying Columbia was their fav country. They keep telling how great people at there etc.
I dunno about Brazil, looks beautiful especially Rio but way too touristic for me.
Also i am looking for a job in here i dunno if i can get without Spanish haha but i found out that Gameloft Argentina is recruting people now as graphic designers and animators (i studied animation) i will just try my luck with them.

 

[Eccocid]

They also have sing-song accents with that horrible "sh/zh" sound on their "y"s and "ll"s. It's really quite grating. The Spanish word for beach is playa (pl-eye-a), but they pronounce it (pl-eye-sha).

Yeah pollo(chicken) they pronounce it as like pojo. But i like their accent sounds like Italian a lot.
I dunno if i can learn it tho. It has artikels like in German fucking euro languages are so unpractical

 

[AntoneM]

1) Yeah, Argentinians are full of themselves, think of themselves as European while at the same time priding themselves on their Gaucho heritage. Go figure. In fact, it's a common source of jokes about them:

Two Argentinians were talking, one says to the other "Say, che, which, out of all of the countries in the world is the closest one to heaven?"

"Why, Argentina, che!"

"No, che. It's Uruguay."

"What to you mean, che? How could it be Uruguay?"

"Because they share a border with Argentina, che!"

There's also a joke that says that you should never marry an Argentinian girl because she'll try to make you move there.

2) I don't know about the men being overgrown kids for staying at home for so long, but that's a common enough thing in Latin America.

3) They're generally good looking, but Brazilians, Venezuelans and Costa Ricans have them beat.

4) There's little Euro-enclaves all over the place in Argentina. Including Germans. Lots and lots of Germans.

5) Definitely explore the rest of the continent. Uruguay, Brazil and Peru are must-sees. Skip Bolivia and Paraguay though. Places be depressing.

But yes, their steak can't be touched, especially beef backstrap (lomito de rez). They also have sing-song accents with that horrible "sh/zh" sound on their "y"s and "ll"s. It's really quite grating. The Spanish word for beach is playa (pl-eye-a), but they pronounce it (pl-eye-sha).

I think you might need a few more "che"s in there, not sure where to fit them in though :lol

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Yeah pollo(chicken) they pronounce it as like pojo. But i like their accent sounds like Italian a lot.
I dunno if i can learn it tho. It has artikels like in German fucking euro languages are so unpractical

Articles like El/La/Los/Las/Ello/Eso/Esto/Esos/Estos/Un/Unos etc.? Yeah, my girlfriend has a lot of trouble with them.

Their accent is very Italian, as is a lot of their food (apart from their delicious steak). I think they had a huge influx of Italian immigration while they were nation-building (they wanted to populate the country quickly, but had too small a local population to do so).

 

[slider]

Venezuela is too far but i dunno if i can find cheap flights to there.
First i will go to Mendoza and Cordoba oh also Izguazu falls of course. I am planning to make a small trip to Uruguay to Punta del Diablo(a small fishing town but looks very calm)
I heard so many great things about Columbia, all the travelers that i had met who are travelling in South America kept saying Columbia was their fav country. They keep telling how great people at there etc.
I dunno about Brazil, looks beautiful especially Rio but way too touristic for me.
Also i am looking for a job in here i dunno if i can get without Spanish haha but i found out that Gameloft Argentina is recruting people now as graphic designers and animators (i studied animation) i will just try my luck with them.

I'm currently in Colombia and it's amazing. Here are some pics...

From an observation tower in some random little town on the Amazon (in Colombia):

Same town (I think it was called Puerto de Narino):

Squirrel Monkey...

I was too busy worrying about my DSLR to get a decent picture:

Cartagena street:

Lunch at the Santa Clara (charming hotel I stayed at - mentioned in many a Gabriel Garcia Marquez book!):

I'll stop now. I get excited very easily.

EDIT: Whoops, sorry. Pic resized.

 

[Eccocid]

yea those articles like in German (der die das)
We dont have them in Turkish and frankly English doesnt have them either. It just memorization
gah wonderful photos, that street looks great.
Did you take those jungle tours too? I heard it from a friend he said it was amazing.

 

[Vox-Pop]

South Americans, the ones I know, are all very nice people. Beautiful places all over, Bogota is on my list of places to visit.

 

[Salsa]

Now i plan to stay in Argentine for another 2 months, rent a room in Palermo in BA and planning to make short trips to other cities and Uruguay(i heard its very nice).

Well i guess im the only one who can represent Uruguayan Gaf :lol

Anyway, get over here, i have traveled and i seriously think my home is one of the greatest, most underapreciated places to visit in South America. I currently reside in Monteviedeo, and even though its the main, capital city, it still has awesome beaches, ive had stayed here in the city for many vacations/holidays and had a blast.

Guess ill just post some pictures

The night life is awesome, and we have the same traditions as Argentina about the dinner/clubbing hours. I usually go out at around 2-3 am and stay till 7-9 am.

If you visit here and plan on going to other places instead of the capital city, i strongly recommend anywhere in Rocha, some pics:

Punta del Diablo (Great beaches and Awesome food):

La Paloma (same as Punta del Diablo + greatest clubs in Uruguay):

Cabo Polonio (greatest beach ever):

And then of course there`s Punta del este in Malonado, wich is the most visited place by far, so it can get a little crowded (mostly by hot girls anyway), but its still great.

bonus:

About Argentina, yeah, they are pretty hated about the full of themselvs stuff, mostly Porteños (people from Buenos Aires), but its like any other place where you cant talk for ALL of them. Anyway, Good luck and enjoy !

 

[jamesinclair]

I recommend the following itinerary:

Before winter arrives:
Iguazu Falls + Itaipu dam.
Ignore Paraguay, fly to Brazil, either Curitiba (45 min flight) or Florianapolis.
Return to Buenos Aires.

Fly to Ushuaia, most southern city in the world. Look at penguins.
Visit el calafate glacier.

Go to Montevideo for a day.

Go to Santiago for a weekend.


Winter:
Ski season starts soon, Bariloche has one of the best ski resorts in the world.

 

[Eccocid]

Is it too late for swimming in Uruguay now? I mean its still pretty warm for me in BA, one of the main reasons for my Uruguay trip is swimming for few days in a remote beach (not some touristy place thats why i am thinking of Punto Del diablo)

 

[Salsa]

Is it too late for swimming in Uruguay now? I mean its still pretty warm for me in BA, one of the main reasons for my Uruguay trip is swimming for few days in a remote beach (not some touristy place thats why i am thinking of Punto Del diablo)

Yeah its warm, we are on a week holiday over here and my sister is on Punta del Diablo right now, talked to her yesterday and she told me the weather was great. I say its a really good place for what you are thinking, the beaches are not really crowded, you should be fine. And remember to try some Empanadas

 

[BowieZ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93jxkqG0gWc

 

[Wellington]

bonus:

:-O~

 

[Salsa]

Sorry to bump this, but what did you ended up doing OP ?

 

[Eccocid]

Bohohohoohoho
Well i am still at Buenos Aires rented a room last month
But i had this client from Turkey i was working for them and they were paying me money every month but now they found a new guy who would work in the office so i am kinda jobless now.

I will go to Uruguay next week i need to do that cuz i have to extend my visa by leaving and re entering to Argentina again. Also i will probably go to Salta.
And looking for a job in here right now. I had found some animation companies(i studied animation) and one of them is only for english speaking ppl i will send my portofilo to them this week. Tho i dont wanna an office job and got stuck in one city i will try my chance on some freelance jobs too.

 

[The Judge]

I was very surprised that it has almost no latin culture in here. More like a European city. Even tho city has just around 4-5 million people, it feels like more crowded.
I was in New York before i come here for 4 months but i can easily say the night life in BA is much more lively than in New York. Especially at weekends people go out and dine at around 11pm then they move to bars till 2-3 am. Most of the clubs are empty before 2am and they are at their peak till 5! and ppl go to their homes at around 7 fuck!

If you like this but think most of Brazil is too touristic, you absolutely have to go to São Paulo. No better place to stroll at night and go to restaurants and bars/clubs, provided that you avoid deserted places and the outcasts neighborhoods, of course.

 

[Eccocid]

If you like this but think most of Brazil is too touristic, you absolutely have to go to São Paulo. No better place to stroll at night and go to restaurants and bars/clubs, provided that you avoid deserted places and the outcasts neighborhoods, of course.

My closest friends in Buenos Aires are from Sao Paulo! They have been inviting me to there!

 

[Drey1082]

Figured I'd bump this and not create a new thread.

I'm traveling to Bogota, Colombia this Wednesday and wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me. First time in South America and while i'm very excited. I'm also somewhat nervous. It's a group of about 5 of us going and we're going to bogota for a couple days, then off to Cartagena for a few more.

Any tips on what to do/ not to do?

 

[master15]

After having recently completed a trip to Peru, I am itching to go back and see more of South America.

For those curious, Peru is highly, highly recommended. I had an absolute blast, pretty friendly people (Although they do try gouging tourists), absolutely breath-taking sights and nice weather.

 

[carpediemdp]

Figured I'd bump this and not create a new thread.

I'm traveling to Bogota, Colombia this Wednesday and wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me. First time in South America and while i'm very excited. I'm also somewhat nervous. It's a group of about 5 of us going and we're going to bogota for a couple days, then off to Cartagena for a few more.

Any tips on what to do/not to do?

For your stay in Bogota:

Bring a raincoat or something to keep you dry from the rain that is not bulky and you can keep with you at all times. you wake up one day and see a clear blue sky, but later in the day the rain starts falling like there's no tomorrow. If you're staying in downtown Bogota, please have breakfast in a place called La Puerta Falsa. So awesome!

The rest is just common sense. Dark alleys are off-limits, try not to be flashy with fancy cameras or celphones. The people here are very very nice and helpful, so if you get lost, ask anyone and they will surely help you.

If you need anything you can PM me, i live in bogota.

 

[otake]

Funny, I just got back from Bueno Aires yesterday. I almost disliked everything about it. The steak was excellent but everything else food related was very meh. Except wine. good wine.

The city is ugly. The sidewalks need maintenance like now, the architecture is all over the place. Buildings look like they haven't been repainted in ages. It's tough to get around because taxis are untrustworthy and the government seems to hate money. They did a census while I was these, they ordered every business closed. All the tourists, like myself, couldn't find anywhere to eat. We couldn't spend money!!

Spent five days there. Conclusion, there's no need to ever visit again.

 

[thomasbk]

Argentinian steak is untouchable. And, as you say, ridiculously cheap.

I'm gonna spout some cliches about Argentinians that, it seems, the rest of the continent has.

1) They're more European than South American... and they therefore think they're "better".
2) The men are overgrown kids... live with their parents for years and years.
3) They're very good looking (my own observation).

Spoiler

Oooh, controversial eh?

4) Strangely there's a sizeable Welsh community in Argentina...
5) As interesting as the place is make sure you explore the rest of the continent. So much to see!

They also make for the best business deals:
Buy argentinians for what they're worth and sell them for what they think they're worth!
:lol

 

[Eccocid]

Funny, I just got back from Bueno Aires yesterday. I almost disliked everything about it. The steak was excellent but everything else food related was very meh. Except wine. good wine.

The city is ugly. The sidewalks need maintenance like now, the architecture is all over the place. Buildings look like they haven't been repainted in ages. It's tough to get around because taxis are untrustworthy and the government seems to hate money. They did a census while I was these, they ordered every business closed. All the tourists, like myself, couldn't find anywhere to eat. We couldn't spend money!!

Spent five days there. Conclusion, there's no need to ever visit again.

Stayed there for 4 months i agree about the food. Steak and wine are great but thats all i could get. Rest of the food was not interesting enough for me. I live in Istanbul, Buenos Aires reminded me Istanbul a lot! Remove some of the signs and billboards you cant tell a difference. Same French and Italian architecture all around the place etc. But i still loved BA cuz of the relaxed people. One day is like 48 hours at there. I dunno if you had got in to night life but its pretty crzy and fun at there! Before BA i was in NY for 4 months but clubs were wicked in BA!
I wanna go back again

 

[pel1300]

anyone travel alone to brazil without speaking portuguese?

 

[otake]

shit, I already posted on this old thread.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

anyone travel alone to brazil without speaking portuguese?

I did, a while back. I took some classes before going but was nowhere near being able to communicate anything. I stayed for about a week but since it was a business trip pretty much everybody spoke english so I had no issues.

If you're going on vacation (and alone) I would really advise to either get started on learning the language or making sure you're always surrounded by people able to understand your own language (be it at the hotel, restaurants, etc).

It shouldn't be an issue or hamper your enjoyment of the city (are you going to Sao Paulo or Rio?), but it's always a good idea to at least have a basic knowledge of what to say in case of an emergency.

 

[Puddles]

Not one person in this thread got robbed?

All I've heard about traveling through South America is "be ready to get robbed at least once." Is this not entirely true?

 

[Altazor]

go to Chile, man, lots of good places to visit there. I should know, I'm chilean

you have 2 completely different places in the same country:

lots of things to see, people are warm enough (though their english is a little rusty), it's not horribly expensive (except for electronics). The only thing that could be problematic: it's a loooong country, so if you want to see both places I posted pictures of, you could be like 3 days travelling from one point to the other.

so yeah, visit Chile.

 

[Dizzy-4U]

Eccocid, what's your opinion on:

 

[otake]

go to Chile, man, lots of good places to visit there. I should know, I'm chilean

you have 2 completely different places in the same country:

lots of things to see, people are warm enough (though their english is a little rusty), it's not horribly expensive (except for electronics). The only thing that could be problematic: it's a loooong country, so if you want to see both places I posted pictures of, you could be like 3 days travelling from one point to the other.

so yeah, visit Chile.

Wine in Chile is quite good too. The Oda Veranda pinot noir is excellent. As is the Errazuris Cabernet.

 

[Altazor]

Wine in Chile is quite good too. The Oda Veranda pinot noir is excellent. As is the Errazuris Cabernet.

I'm glad you liked chilean wines

 

[otake]

I'm glad you liked chilean wines

I love it, excellent value as well. The Casa La Postolle is great for merlot/cab blends. I don't dig the carmenere though. Do you have a recommendation?

 

[Altazor]

I love it, excellent value as well. The Casa La Postolle is great for merlot/cab blends. I don't dig the carmenere though. Do you have a recommendation?

sadly, I don't - I'm not a huge wine connoiseur. There's a chilean wine magazine I could link you to, but it's in spanish =/

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Chile is incredible from end to end. Lots of geographic diversity, good people, and no country on earth makes an empanada that can compare.

Some great things in Chile:

- Patagonia
- Siete Tazas
- Easter Island
- Santiago
- Vina del Mar/Valparaiso
- Pichilemu if you want to surf (black sand beach, can get hot)
- Torres del Paine

I lived there for 2 years. I spent 6 months in each of these four cities: Santa Cruz, Rengo, San Bernardo, and Curico. I got to see between Vina del Mar and Talca, but I really want to go back to see the deeper south area of the country.

 

[Altazor]

Chile is incredible from end to end. Lots of geographic diversity, good people, and no country on earth makes an empanada that can compare.

spot on. A good chilean empanada is the best empanada.

I'd post some pictures of different places in Chile that I've visited (curiously enough, I still haven't visited lots of parts in my own country), but I'm really short on time. If this thread is still alive tomorrow, I'll do it then.

 

[ShinAmano]

Well i guess im the only one who can represent Uruguayan Gaf :lol

Anyway, get over here, i have traveled and i seriously think my home is one of the greatest, most underapreciated places to visit in South America. I currently reside in Monteviedeo, and even though its the main, capital city, it still has awesome beaches, ive had stayed here in the city for many vacations/holidays and had a blast.

Guess ill just post some pictures

The night life is awesome, and we have the same traditions as Argentina about the dinner/clubbing hours. I usually go out at around 2-3 am and stay till 7-9 am.

If you visit here and plan on going to other places instead of the capital city, i strongly recommend anywhere in Rocha, some pics:

Punta del Diablo (Great beaches and Awesome food):

La Paloma (same as Punta del Diablo + greatest clubs in Uruguay):

Cabo Polonio (greatest beach ever):

And then of course there`s Punta del este in Malonado, wich is the most visited place by far, so it can get a little crowded (mostly by hot girls anyway), but its still great.

bonus:

About Argentina, yeah, they are pretty hated about the full of themselvs stuff, mostly Porteños (people from Buenos Aires), but its like any other place where you cant talk for ALL of them. Anyway, Good luck and enjoy !

Awesome, my wife used to live in Uruguay and I want to plan a trip down there so she can re-visit...glad to hear your opinion.