Impeachment of BsAs Mayor?
 

Gaucho,

Been reading the English language Buenos Aires Herald and headline news was the possible impeachment of BsAs Mayor Ibarra for municipal negligence.

Could this action spill over into the city in any way, due to the high emotions over the very tragic night club fire and all the young people who lost their lives?

sbagal

The mayor is under investigation, and impeachment is a possibility. The entire investigation has gone on for months, and its now time for the city council to vote. The vote will probably be cast this coming Monday or Tuesday.

I would not be concerned about this, there may be the one demonstration here or there but the city will continue its day to day business as usual.

Colon Update
 

I have a piece of good news regarding the Colon Theater, although at this point Im not sure it means that the rest of the season will go on. Lets just say its a move in the right direction.

I met yesterday with the organizers of a concert that is supposed to be staged at the Colon on November 21st. The concert´s main sponsor is a very large European Banking institution, and as of yesterday they told me that while they have a second venue as backup reserved, the management of the Colon had basically given them the green light to go ahead with the event.

If this means that the Colon is completely open for business again I cannot say at this point, but next week I will touch base with my friends at the foundation and let you guys know.

Buenos Aires Herald - English newspaper link
 

Thanks Gaucho for the on the spot reports. Fingers crossed about Teatro Colon - (does this expression "fingers crossed" translate in Spanish? - wishing for good luck? I don't even know its origins in English.)

For those who want a link to the English language daily Buenos Aires Herald:
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/

Is there a particular bias in this newspaper? Thanks.

sbagal

Hey I have a stay at the BA Hilton- do you have the concierge's email?

Just an update on my travel plans- I have found a pacakge for Iguaza Falls that is $1400 (aprox 460 USD) per person for 2 nights at the sheraton, flight, transfers, excursions- seems like a fair price to me.

So I need some help filling out the rest of my trip...

1. Anyone know a good spa? (or does the Hilton have one). I'm thinking massages for the men, facials/pedicures for the women on the likely arrival date to help unwind.

2. Colonia trip- book a package or just take the ferry over and wonder around?

3. Beaches? Is the weather beach friendly in March? Any good beach recommendations?

4. Delta of Parana River- fruit market worth the trip? any thoughts or costs of renting a sailboat or motorboat for 6 (including captain)?

That's all for now that i can think of...
if anyone has any suggestions for activities they will be more than welcome...

On the seventh floor of the Hilton Buenos Aires is a health club. It is accessable from the Executive Lounge via the outdoor terrace where the pool is located. I believe it includes a spa.

I would simply take the ferry and wander around Colonia, as it is a very easy place in which to walk around. Have lunch in one of the local restaurants, as you can have an excellent yet inexpensive steak or chicken meal.

I was at the beach in Punta del Este in Uruguay in late May. The weather was perfect beach weather: sunny, with temperatures in the 70s. I would think that, barring precipitation, March would be a better time to go to the beach than in May.

Absent any better beach suggestions: if you are able to go to Punta del Este (a two-hour drive east of Montevideo), I would suggest doing that.

Punta del Este is just fine in March although it can be a little hot for my taste. The good thing is that during the week it is less crowded than what is witnessed in January and part of February.

Not much action in March in Punta del Este, but agreed that the weather is usually pleasant and there is still relatively a lot of things to do (ie. shops and leisure industry related places are still open until the end of the month).

Racing and Soccer in Argentina
 

My husband would really like to go to the horse track. Their website is in Spanish only and we can't figure out when it's open (days, hours). Any info regarding this is appreciated.
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There are three thoroughbred race courses in greater BsAs. There is racing every day, alternating among the three tracks. I attended two of the three on my trip down there last year, San Isidro (I was there on the biggest racing day of the year, the Gran Premio Pellegrini), and La Plata. The third track, El Hippodromo Argentina, also known as Palermo, in the BsAs neighborhood of the same name, is the most famous of the three, and is within 3 miles or so of the center of BsAs; probably not even a US$5 cab ride w/ tip. It is fairly close to the famous Polo Stadium.

I highly recommend attending San Isidro. It has the only turf course in the nation, and, like the other tracks, has American style tote betting (although no self-service machines--he will need to brush up on his Spanish numbers to call out bets) with exactas, trifectas, even a cuatrifecta (superfecta) and a quintuplo (pick 5). To get to San Isidro, use the Retiro train station and take the Tigre line--San Isidro is about halfway between BsAs and Tigre--maybe a 25 minute ride--the fare was less than US$1 round trip. At San Isidro, exit toward the rear of the train, and use the pedestrian underpass under the tracks, out to a major avenue--the track property is catty corner from that point--as the property is very large (they run one-turn 1-1/2 mile races there), a shuttle bus will take him to the entrance. The day I attended, they had a 15 race program which started at 2 pm, with races every 25 minutes or so. At the track go behind the stands to a concession stand selling "choripan"--terrific sausages (somewhat akin to a bratwurst, but smokier) split in half and served on a fresh crusty roll--two of them and a quart bottle of Isenberg beer set me back ARS7.00 (US$2.30).

I also attended La Plata, located in the capital city of Buenos Aires province. I took the train from Constitucion station there--it was US$3.00 round trip, and it took 1.5 hours for a 40 mile or so trip. There are bus services that might provide a faster, more non-stop routing there. The track turned out to be maybe 2 blocks to the left of the exit of the La Plata station. It is run by the provincial lottery corporation (they maintain off-track betting and slot machine parlors in various towns in the province). I think they got going at 3 p.m. the day I attended. They had good racing with big fields.

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We may try to see a football or polo match. Where can I find a scedule?

As to soccer, try this website:

http://www.futbolargentino.com.ar/

There is a guide service that will pick you up at your hotel, take you to the stadium, escort you through security and the turnstiles, get you into a good seat, and get you back safely. Your hotel will have a brochure.

The two most famous teams in BsAs are Boca Juniors and River Plate (the English imported soccer into Argentina 100 years ago and many of the teams have English names). Boca has been described by many knowledgeable soccer fans as the greatest soccer venue in the world (it holds about 65k)--its stadium, nicknamed La Bonbonera (the bon bon box) is located in the Boca neighborhood southeast of the center of town, maybe 3/4 mile from the Caminito, and is the team of the common man/Italian immigrant. Boca's greatest rival is River Plate, which is located in the Nunez neighborhood
northwest of the center of town, and apparently had a more upper crust brand of fan (I think that is relative). They play in the stadium built for the World Cup '78 finals, El Monumental (I think it holds 75k). There is more action in the stands than on the field--the games are passion plays, and are extremely memorable--the only sporting experience in the United States that is anywhere close to this is Notre Dame football or some of the games in the SEC.

There are other impressive soccer teams and venues in BsAs--I saw the stadiums for Velez Sarsfield and Independiente in roaming around the city, and they are large. Another big team in BsAs is Racing Club. I saw in a book that there are some 23 soccer stadiums in BsAs, and as many as 1,000,000 portenos might attend matches on a given day (there are 20 teams in the Argentine first division, and many other teams in other lower leagues).

Enjoy your trip.

Polo in BsAs
 

Thanks for your very detailed sports venue report. What can you tell us about seeing a polo match in BsAs in December? Thanks.

... besides my being there then?

It's a good time, but expect it to be hot under the sun (generally)' and you can enjoy drinks/nibbles before or after and wander around the shopping/promotional stalls. Other than that, I don't know if I'll be watching the semi-finals or finals from the stadium or from the high-rise apartment building on Arce right next door this time.

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We were there between the 9th and 16th of December last year, and the national championships were going on. Unlike in this country, where polo takes place on farms in Virginia, East Potomac Park in DC or Palm Beach County, FL, where fans just stand around on the sidelines or under tents, BsAs actually has a very large stadium, with two big stands along either sideline, where the championship matches are contested, so spectators can have the types of views that one would have at football games. I rode by the stadium on the way to San Isidro, and there was a good sized crowd, but by no means a sell out. The stadium couldn't be more than a 10-15 minute cab ride and a US$5 fare from any location in central BsAS (I can't recall whether there was a station on the Retiro line close to the polo ground).

Presumably, the hotel where you will be staying will have a good concierge who can arrange for tickets in a section which will give you a good view of the action. After the match, you would be able to walk into the Palermo neighborhood, which reminded me a bit of real nice American suburban areas (like upper Connecticut or Wisconsin avenues in DC), with excellent restaurants and shopping. The embassies are in that area also.

Pack me in your suitcase. Please.

Enjoy your trip.

Punta del Este in late November
 

Is there anything going on during late Nov in Punta del Este? Nightlife, etc.?

Thx

Carberry

December BsAs travellers
 

[QUOTE=GUWonder]... besides my being there then?


Great. When do you arrive?

Be sure to keep sending us all weather reports and live on the street action reports if you are there in late November. I arrive first of December.

Liberate Teatro Colon!!

sbagal

[QUOTE=sbagal]I am there for a wedding the weekend of Dec. 10th. I'll likely arrive again there between Dec. 6th and 9th.