Argentina
School Starts
28/04/08 21:47
School started today.
I have to get up at 06:30 to get a shower before the rest of the house wake up. It is about a 40 minute walk into school and by leaving a bit earlier I can stop for a coffee on the way.
Our teacher is called Ivana and is a lovely girl pretty close to 6 feet tall with a dramatic presence. Women of that height are very rare here.
The school has a very nice atmosphere and the coffee keeps coming. I suspect most of the staff speak pretty good english but in the main there is a strict spanish only rule.
We start at 10:00, break at 12:00 for an hour and finish at 15:00.
Ivana has very clear diction and is clearly slowing the pace for us. I’m getting most of what she says.
I have to get up at 06:30 to get a shower before the rest of the house wake up. It is about a 40 minute walk into school and by leaving a bit earlier I can stop for a coffee on the way.
Our teacher is called Ivana and is a lovely girl pretty close to 6 feet tall with a dramatic presence. Women of that height are very rare here.
The school has a very nice atmosphere and the coffee keeps coming. I suspect most of the staff speak pretty good english but in the main there is a strict spanish only rule.
We start at 10:00, break at 12:00 for an hour and finish at 15:00.
Ivana has very clear diction and is clearly slowing the pace for us. I’m getting most of what she says.
Abasto
26/04/08 22:43
These pictures show the striking facade of the Abasto shopping centre. Once a fruit and vegetable market it has been restored and transformed into a modern retail/cinema/restaurant complex.
Calle Florida
25/04/08 21:45
Bunos Aires - First Day
This morning I had to go into the Rayuela to discuss arrangements for my classes. I took the Subte from Jujuy station. Many of the stations featured tiled murals.
There are many Galician links here. This sign for the Galego Immigration Museum was near Rayeula on Chacabuco street.
At the school I met two classmates Aaron from Perth and Angie from Edmonton. We were given a welcome briefing by Alejandro, the director. Classes start next monday.
Afterwards I went on a walkabout for several hours.
A sculpture park not far from Balvanera.
Casa Rosada next to Plaza de Mayo in the centre of Buenos Aires. This is where the day to day business of the Argentine government is conducted.
More palm trees. These are in Plaza de Mayo.
Plaza de Mayo
Avenida de Mayo. A lovely wide tree lined avenue linking Plaza de Mayo with Congreso.
Not far from Plaza de Mayo is Florida Street. A busy pedestrianised shopping thoroughfare.
Another Galician connection.
Lots of street theatre and musicians.
First impressions of Buenos Aires are very favourable. It has a well laid out lovely built environment with many wide avenues and grand edificios. Most streets, of those that I have seen, are one way. It would be difficult to get lost here.
Balvanera is close enough to walk into the city centre.
This morning I had to go into the Rayuela to discuss arrangements for my classes. I took the Subte from Jujuy station. Many of the stations featured tiled murals.
There are many Galician links here. This sign for the Galego Immigration Museum was near Rayeula on Chacabuco street.
At the school I met two classmates Aaron from Perth and Angie from Edmonton. We were given a welcome briefing by Alejandro, the director. Classes start next monday.
Afterwards I went on a walkabout for several hours.
A sculpture park not far from Balvanera.
Casa Rosada next to Plaza de Mayo in the centre of Buenos Aires. This is where the day to day business of the Argentine government is conducted.
More palm trees. These are in Plaza de Mayo.
Plaza de Mayo
Avenida de Mayo. A lovely wide tree lined avenue linking Plaza de Mayo with Congreso.
Not far from Plaza de Mayo is Florida Street. A busy pedestrianised shopping thoroughfare.
Another Galician connection.
Lots of street theatre and musicians.
First impressions of Buenos Aires are very favourable. It has a well laid out lovely built environment with many wide avenues and grand edificios. Most streets, of those that I have seen, are one way. It would be difficult to get lost here.
Balvanera is close enough to walk into the city centre.
Balvanera
24/04/08 21:37
I had an early flight and was up at 05:00. Zelina, the owner with her husband of Pousada Baluarte, had also got up early and made some coffee.
My taxi was waiting at 05:30 and got me to the Airport in plenty of time for my 07:10 flight with GOL. It was my third flight with GOL and again they were excellent. There was a two hour delay on the onward flight from Sao Paulo to Bunoa Aires.
Formalities on arrival in Buenos Aires were very quick and I was able to withdraw some cash in Pesos in the arrival hall. Fixed price taxi tickets to central Buenos Aires cost A$88. One buys a voucher which is presented to the driver. All very easy and efficient.
I will be trying to learn some Spanish while here and the school, Instituto Rayuela, had found a place for me to stay. The house was in Balvanera to the south east of the city centre. On arrival the area looked a bit tired and rundown and the house was undergoing some sort of renovation.
However it was nothing like Brazil. I felt I was back in Europe and it was nice to be able to relax a bit and wear a watch again.
My host, a young teacher, was very, very friendly and welcoming. Sadly the house was not quite what had been described. There were a lot more people living there, and it had clearly seen better days.
I had an early night.
My taxi was waiting at 05:30 and got me to the Airport in plenty of time for my 07:10 flight with GOL. It was my third flight with GOL and again they were excellent. There was a two hour delay on the onward flight from Sao Paulo to Bunoa Aires.
Formalities on arrival in Buenos Aires were very quick and I was able to withdraw some cash in Pesos in the arrival hall. Fixed price taxi tickets to central Buenos Aires cost A$88. One buys a voucher which is presented to the driver. All very easy and efficient.
I will be trying to learn some Spanish while here and the school, Instituto Rayuela, had found a place for me to stay. The house was in Balvanera to the south east of the city centre. On arrival the area looked a bit tired and rundown and the house was undergoing some sort of renovation.
However it was nothing like Brazil. I felt I was back in Europe and it was nice to be able to relax a bit and wear a watch again.
My host, a young teacher, was very, very friendly and welcoming. Sadly the house was not quite what had been described. There were a lot more people living there, and it had clearly seen better days.
I had an early night.