The “Cabildo” is witness to 418 years of political and social history in the Republic of Argentina. The Argentine government declared the building as a national monument in 1933 and the building is now a museum.

The building and its patrimony evoke the rich social and political history that formed Argentina, and is testament to our proud heritage and national identity.

Long before Casa Rosada, Colon Theater and the Obelisk were constructed, the Cabildo was the main political institution and architectural attraction in Buenos Aires city.

I remember my first field trip to the Cabildo. A classic that sticks firmly in my mind, just like when I lived in the United States and my teacher took us to see the Liberty Bell.

On any day you will see scores of schoolchildren, white coated ‘cherubs’, flocking to the Cabildo in order to re-live our history.  Every Argentine child knows that during a rainy week of May of 1810, porteños stood in the muddy Plaza de Mayo with their umbrellas waiting for news from inside the Cabildo (very similar to the faithful crowding the square of the Vatican while waiting for the smoke that signals a new Pope).  The news they eagerly awaited was about the self-determination of the Viceroyalty of the Rio del la Plata whilst a Joseph Bonaparte usurped the Spanish throne.

In commemoration of our bicentennial year, the museum has recently undergone a full restoration and the many exhibits that chart our history modernized with the latest technology and media to ensure a fun and enlightening exhibit for visitors of all ages.

Amazingly, restoration work took just 50 days and involved an investment of over 3 million pesos. Some 50 workers toiled 7 days a week. Workman used two thousand six hundred liters of donated lime to whiten the Cabildo’s façade riddled with graffiti from protests that take place in the square. The original door, damaged by spray-paint, needed full and costly restoration.  This mindless defacing of our proud history tolerated. Every time somebody sprays paint on the walls of the Cabildo, they cause more damage than they know.

The Cabildo, built for eighteenth century suffers a daily twenty-first century pounding from the vibrations of the Subway to air pollution from the traffic – we must care for our heritage.

Elina Tassara, who also worked in the restoration of the Sistine Chapel, expertly completed the work with amazing results. The exhibit halls are spacious, luminous with new furnishings and ‘giantography’, and new technologies that allow visitors to interact with history.

On the ground floor is the reconstruction of Buenos Aires first prison. This is the only section of the original eighteenth century structure that suffered the changes of architectural tastes and style. At the end of the nineteenth century, city planners decided to change the colonial face of Buenos Aires to ensure a progressive modern European feeling throughout the city – it worked.

On the first floor, visitors find the town hall, refurbished with original furnishings circa 1810. In addition, for the first time, the visitors can access the balcony of the Cabildo from where our early government announced to the eagerly awaiting crowd on the Plaza De Mayo that we would not recognize a new king imposed by Napoleon Bonaparte. The views of the square and the Pink House make for a great photo opportunity. In addition, the new exhibits feature the first printer ever, an original invitation to the Cabildo dated 22 May 1810 and a flag captured from the British Invasions.

The Cabildo you visit today is a reconstruction of the original building completed between 1938 and 1940 by the architect Mario Buschiazzo. The windows, door, the tower and the clock are not original. Notwithstanding that, this exhibit captures our glorious history so wonderfully that tourists must make time to visit!

Stroll through the patio amongst the trees that protected our founding fathers from the scorching summer sun. Thursdays and Fridays, a select group of the city’s best artisans offers their handcrafts and interacts with the visitors exploring the roots of the Argentine culture.

The Cabildo Museum, (Bolivar 65)

Open Tuesday to Friday from 10.30am to 5pm.

Sundays and holidays from 11.30am to 6pm.

Telephone:4342-6729 or  4334-1782.

E-Mail: cabildomuseo_nac@yahoo.com.ar

It is with great pleasure that we add Palmita Mendez to the Buenos Aires Experience team of expert guides to ensure that our clients get a first class Buenos Aires Polo Experience….

My name is Palmita Mendez, I was born in Mexico but I’m currently residing in Argentina.  I first came to Buenos Aires to work in 2004 and the beauty of Buenos Aires city and the warmth of my many Argentine friends immediately captured my heart.  Buenos Aires is a fascinating city of amazing diversity and culture, and so I decided to make of Buenos Aires my home.

I studied gastronomy at the Instituto Argentino de Gastronomia, History of Art at the Fine Arts Museum, languages at the Goethe Institute and Alliance Francaise.

I already had so many reasons to love Buenos Aires and Argentina, but in September 2009, I found my real passion in life, and that passion fast became the most important reasons I now reside in Argentina: Polo.

In September 2009, I accepted an invitation from a close friend to watch a Polo game and to take a polo lesson.  I had no horseback riding skills and so I thought the experience was just another to ‘chalk-up’ and add to my cultural knowledge of Argentina, but to my surprise, I loved it!

Just one polo lesson with the right polo people was enough for me to fall in love with polo.

I can try to describe Polo with words but you only feel the exhilaration and that addictive buzz of adrenalin when you actually play polo – I have invited many of my friends to play polo and guess what, polo is a common addiction!

If you consider Polo a sport for traditional polo families or the landed gentry then think again or that you can only play polo if you have already good horseback riding skills, then think again – I have found that polo is for everybody – for every level, women and men.

Of course, if you ride horses well before you start your polo lessons you then have an important advantage but believe me when I say that you can start anytime and at any age!  In addition, polo in Argentina is very affordable and most visitors to Argentina are pleasantly surprised how little my day polo tours, weekend polo school and weekly polo clinics actually cost – please ask me for a quote…

I have always loved sports; I played tennis all my life; I love skiing; I play golf, but I never experienced anything like polo!  Polo is the most beautiful sport that I have ever played and I cannot enthuse or recommend polo enough to any sports minded girl or guy.

Polo has its own culture, camaraderie with many intrinsic values such as friendship, courtesy, beauty, honesty, elegance and simplicity, and of course that long and powerful connection that humans have with one of gods most beautiful and majestic  beasts, the horse. If you couple the culture and being at one with nature with great doses of adrenaline that pump through your veins, you begin to get my picture!

I’m absolutely in love with polo, but I have found it is critically important to start your training (polo school) with the right polo instructors to get the best out of the game and ensure you play safe and well.

I was very lucky to start with great polo coaches, not only for their technique but also for their charisma. A true, noble, joyful, honest polo family introduced me to Polo.  Simple gentlefolk that made me feel welcome at all times.

I am so grateful to the people that introduced me to polo and allowed me to be part of their lives. Actually, a traditional polo family first opened the door to me and to many others who now practice this sport. They have played polo for generations and enjoy sharing their enormous knowledge of the game.

I have been so lucky and therefore it is customary for Central Americans to share their luck!  If you would like to try this amazing sport, I am very happy to arrange day tours for polo lessons close to Buenos Aires city, Polo weekends and or weekly polo clinics.

It is with great pleasure that I collaborate with my polo friends and enthusiast at Buenos Aires Stay and Buenos Aires Experience to provide visitors to Buenos Aires with amazing low-cost accommodation and some the very best polo instructors in the world – I kid you not!

Polo changed my life in many ways.  The people, the places and the game have taught me many things about life and the way I want to live my own.  I have met many interesting people from around the world through polo and they all have left with me some of the greatest memories so far, even when just sharing the field for chukkas (all 7 minutes!).

Many of the people that I have met through polo became my closest friends and my favorite people. The simplicity of the terrain and the infinite skyline are all part of an invitation to live your life freely. The game teaches us the necessities of the team play and the true grit and determination that help redefine your personality – the battle on the polo field that shows you at your best… I have also learned about the beauty of a simple life, because as glamorous as polo may seem it is actually the simplicity and connection to nature that makes it all so worthwhile.

Today my goal is to become a good polo player, to have my own women´s team to go around the world playing polo and to invite new people to join this popular sport – especially women. I want to promote polo for its beauty and to teach the fine polo and values that I have learned.

Given my experience and how much it has changed my life, I extend my invitation to everybody who arrives in Buenos Aires – please do not leave Buenos Aires without first trying this wonderful sport – whatever your budget, I will endeavor to ensure that everyone who contacts me finds their way onto a polo field.

Buenos Aires has an enviable reputation as a ‘cradle’ of the arts and culture in South America.

Just walk down Corrientes Avenue at midnight and you will find open bookstores on every block.  If you check out their art sections, you will note that the arts, occupies a major section of each store – Argentines love their art.

The newly restored Teatro Colon, considered one of the top five opera houses in the world, has a capacity larger than that of the Scala of Milan. The Colon opera house is widely reputed with the best acoustics according to accomplished stars such as the late Pavarotti.

Argentina produced more than 50 films last year and won an Oscar for ‘The Secret of Your Eyes’ (El Secreto de tus Ojos) for the best foreign film.

Unbelievably, you have a museum for each day of the month when you visit Buenos Aires! For instance, Visitors can find the largest collection of Latin American art at the Malba.

My clients are always amazed that we arrange free art gallery viewings with drinks nearly every night of the week completely.

My clients also enjoy strolling the red carpets along elegant Alvear Avenue on the first Friday of every month when the countless galleries of open their doors and offer complimentary champagne to porteño art buffs, people watchers, and of course my clients.

Art Consulting

Buenos Aires Experience retains a team of art experts dedicated to offering art consulting to private individuals, experts and collectors alike.

Our art experts have amazing contacts throughout Buenos Aires and Argentina, and whatever your bent, our experts know the main agents and artists personally.

Our Buenos Aires art guides collaborate with a network of artists, galleries, private collectors and companies.

We advise insightful clients on the acquisition of works of art and help them build their investment portfolios. We take care of export, make purchases on request and attend auctions.

Art Tours

At Buenos Aires Experience, our guides are art specialists and their specialities too numerous to list.

Our tours are not about selling art. Buenos Aires Experience Art tours are about you, the client, whatever you want to see, whoever you wish to meet, given time and careful instructions we endeavour to ensure that our clients leave Buenos Aires better informed and knowledgeable about Argentine art.

One thing is for sure, art lovers love Buenos Aires. Why do they love Buenos Aires? For the same reason I do, Buenos Aires’ has rich cultural variety that seamlessly merges old Europe and contemporary Latin American.

We design personalised and tailored tours of the art studios, galleries and museums.

Our bilingual experts will take you through the art history of Argentina. Admire the first Argentine masters such as Soldi, or marvel Berni´s first works. Discuss art with artists and collectors when visiting our art network, where we guide through hip Palermo or bohemian San Telmo, without of course, overlooking refined Recoleta.

If art is your thing, contact us and our staff will prepare something special for you and your party.

Tomorrow at 11h00 local time Nigeria and Africa will get their taste of Maradona’s first eleven for the third match in the World Cup 2010 finals.

Nothing makes Argentineans more passionate than futbol.

Argentines are football (soccer) fanatics.

They breath football, they feel football and they worship footballers – ask kids on the street who is the pope and they will look at you blankly, ask them about football and they will astound you with their knowledge – blame the British.

Football is a major part of our national identity ever since the British introduced the game to Buenos Aires it in 1860.

Initially we played the game with a cow’s bladder and a couple of rocks – nice! I cannot say that I fancy the old cow’s bladder, although MEeeeeeSsssssssssIiiiiiiiiiiii might tell you that it would be better than the Adidas World Cup football that has caused just a little controversy.

We founded the A.F.A. (Argentine Football Association) in 1891 and Frank Wooley, its first president, organized a local championship, which won by Saint Andrews, so the Jocks were very much part of the early football scene in Buenos Aires, alas, they did not make the finals South Africa 2010.

Look at some of the names of our local Buenos Aires football teams, Newell’s Old Boys, Racing, Arsenal, River Plate, All Boys, Banfield, all very English names.

The Brits were not only of economic importance to Argentina in the early days, they also brought with them their culture we adopted as our own – not least, football and polo – two sports that Argentina has dominated for many years and more recently tennis and rugby that Argentina will NO DOUBT dominate in future years.

Every 4 years The World Cup creates an outpouring of ‘futbol loco nationalism’, stronger this year in our bicentenary and I feel good, quietly confident, if Maradona keeps his eye on the ball and protects him and his team from the media and us from his mouth we have more than a chance.

There is nothing the ‘futbol locos’ won’t do to see the “the celeste and whites” bring home a 3^rd FIFA World Cup. Most Argentine’s would deal with the devil or promise to crawl to the virgin of Lujan from Buenos Aires City (30km) to see the Argentine football team raise footballs most coveted trophy, the 2010 World Cup.

Surely, you find most Argentines fixed to the spot, in their favorite place and positions for every game. Buenos Aires tourists will need to plan early and fight hard to get their place in the best parts of town to watch Argentina destroy the world’s ‘footballing’ competition – should we meet, good night Brazil and farewell England.

If someone goes to the loo and there is a goal, he or she is relegated, the penalty, the sin bin, to sit the game out in the bathroom!  Make sure that you use the loo before kick-off and at half time because clear and present danger is a trip that blocks the screen.

Some Argentines I know will actually lock themselves alone in a room to avoid any disruption or the nerves of the others spoiling their viewing.

I read recently that so many Argentines are now ‘in-hock’ after spending heavily on those flat screen high definition televisions to ensure the very best at home Argentina football experience.

When you watch a match and Argentina makes a goal, it’s a pleasure to mute the TV and listen to all 40,134,425 argentines shout GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL at the same time. I am sure if the African’s listen hard they will hear the sateños and the fueguinos their lungs bursting with sheer join.

It’s been 24 years since a proud Argentine team brought home the World Cup. That day, Buenos Aires city exploded with joy and euphoria.

Imagine 30,507280 porteños (according to last census) shouting and dancing in the streets. The dance will includes the poor with rich, the punks with emos, nuns with atheists, socialists and liberals, maybe even Christina will tango Macri down 9^th Julio – now that would be a scene of consensus.

It doesn’t matter – that day we are one, we are Argentina and we are winners.  On top of the world again, come on Argentina!

Here is  a couple of Argentine footballs favorite chants – learn them, so, when people start to sing in the bars and in the streets you can join in and be part of our proud football culture:

OLE OLE OLE

OLE OLE OLE OLA

OLE OLE OLE

CADA DIA TE QUIERO MAS (every day I love you more)

SOY ARGENTINA(I am  Argentina)

ES UN SENTIMIENTO (It is a feeling)

QUE NO PUEDO PARAR (that I cannot stop)

(REAPEAT FROM THE TOP OLE OLE OLA……)

—————     ———————————————————

VOLVEREMOS VOLVEREMOS (We will be)

VOLVEREMOS OTRA VEZ (We will be again)

VOLVEREMOS A SER CAMPEONES (We will be champions)

COMO EN EL OCHENTA Y SEIS( like in eighty six)

(REPEAT FROM THE TOP VOLVEREMOS VOLVEREMOS….)

I suggest you go somewhere public to see the games. You will enjoy the football more and you can practice your chants, mingle with the local and catch football fever.

Where to watch the football:

Outdoors

Giant screens placed by the city government in

Plaza San Martin

Parque Centenario

Movie Theaters

FIFA has authorized Argentine movie theaters to show all  the games

On their screens and in high definition.

Bars and Lounges

Every single bar, café, hotdog stands that have electricity Will have some sort of apparatus showing the games. Here are a couple of options that I would suggest.

Locos por el Futbol

Azcuenaga 1896

Prodeo Lounge

Gorriti 5374   Tel:4831-4471

La Popular

Lavalle 3602

El Banderin

Guarda Vieja and Billinghurst

Restaurants

All the restaurants will have the games. If I had to choose one I would have to say:

Rodizio

Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo 838,

Tel:4334 3638

Hotels

Intercotinental Buenos Aires

Café de las Luces

Tel:4340-7100

Hotel Madero Buenos Aires

White Bar

Tel:5776-7655

NH Hoteles: NH 9 de Julio , NH Jousten, NH City and

Tower, NH Tango, NH Lancaste, NH Crillon

0800-222-6464

It is April 1st, and with Easter already here, our mild Southern Hemisphere winter is just around the corner.  Today, on the first day of the Easter holiday the sky is blue and the weather looks wonderful:

Clear. High: 28 °C . Wind Calm. Heat Index: 28 °C .

Today, I am very busy with two tours, a Buenos Aires City tour this morning and then an Evita Tour this afternoon.

Recently, my clients have started to post information about my services to the various noticeboards like Tripadvisor and I would like to thank you very much for your kind recommendations.

Also, the requests by various readers for information in both Spanish and Portuguese are noted and my website and blog is currently being translated (slowly by me) and you can expect the first articles and web pages to appear within the next few weeks.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very special Buenos Aires Easter.  Enjoy the day that will be hot with blue sky and lots to do throughout Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires Experience gets many emails from travelers wanting to know what vacation rentals agencies get it right consistently and the two companies I recommend have an enviable reputation and the best reviews in the marketplace.

Moreover, they both offer a lowest rent guarantee – you cannot get better accommodation deals anywhere else in Buenos Aires!

My team provides relocation services and works mainly on behalf of companies and we seek out  and use only the most reliable suppliers of Buenos Aires rental apartments for either short term vacation rental and longer term lease.

Below,  I recommend just two of the best vacation rental names in the business that have a strong emphasis in international tourism and real estate.

Luxury BA Stay apartments exceeds in understanding the sophistication and requirements of discerning guests seeking luxury accommodation. BA Stay has a selection of luxury apartments, houses, lofts and concierge services that reminds me of Buenos Aires in its heydays. Spend your vacations in some of the most exclusive Buenos Aires rental apartments and houses located in the most traditional upscale neighborhoods. If modernism is your thing, they publish apartments for rent in the city’s hippest hot spots.

BA Stay.com, your home in Buenos Aires. Marca Reg. – http://www.bastay.com/

Buenos Aires Stay is a long established (2005) and well known provider of  Buenos Aires rental apartments with hundreds of options from cheapest to the most expensive real estate in Buenos Aires with rents that start from only USD$150 for a simple  budget accommodation in one of the many neighborhoods popular with visitors such as: San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Centro, Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano.  Buenos Aires Stay boasts over 800 rental apartments plus 1000s of apartment listed by their trusted partners. They stand tall above many other vacation apartment agencies differentiating their offer with great services.  Almost 20% of Buenos Aires Stay’s business come from repeat business.

BuenosAireStay.com, Buenos Aires rental apartment provider – http://www.buenosairesstay.com

Buenos Aires rental apartments are a home away from home and offer Buenos Aires visitors great value accommodation at rates up to 60% cheaper than Buenos Aires hotels.

A celebratory tour that chronicles the life of Evita…

Let us embark on a historical journey throughout Buenos Aires City that bears witness and honors the remarkable life of Argentina’s iconic Maria Eva Duarte de Peron.  A lady who will always be Argentina’s First Lady.

Our Evita Experience tells a balanced story of a woman who fought her way into the dangerous Argentine political arena circa 1940s and struggled to achieve female suffrage, fair labor reforms and social welfare programs for the poor and disenfranchised.

BACKGROUND

She was the youngest of five children in the village of Los Toldos in the Province of Buenos Aires on May 7, 1919. She was the daughter of Juan Duarte and Juana Ibarguren, and sister of Elisa, Blanca, Erminda and Juan.

Following the death of her father, the family moved to the larger town of Junín, where her mother managed a boarding house. At the age of sixteen, Evita, as she was nicknamed, dropped out of high school and left for the metropolis and entertainment capital of South America – Buenos Aires.

She dreamed of being an actress although she had no training, she landed a couple of secondary roles in motion pictures and radio, where she excelled as a Radio soap-opera starlet in one of the most important stations.  By 1944, Evita was making a living from acting and became a popular radio character in radios golden years.

In 1943, Eva met Colonel Juan Domingo Perón, secretary of labor and social welfare in the military government that had recently seized power and it is here the story of her meteoric rise a figure for the people begins.  Eva cultivated a strong relationship with the widowed Perón, who was organizing the workers to gain political support for his presidential ambition to run for the presidency. Evita´s image and background would prove crucial to help him in this objective.

In October 1945, Perón’s ambition and dreams of free creates some dissent from his military colleagues and leads to his house arrest in the Delta. Evita rouses the people organizing the largest rally ever seen in Argentina. The masses filled the Plaza de Mayo demanding the freedom of their newfound leader-in-waiting.

Fearing a Bastille-like episode, the military had no choice but to free him. They ordered him to speak and appease the crowds. It was at this point that Evita and Peron realized their power, the power of the people.

Peron, a shrewd political operator, demanded free elections to appease the angry crowds amassing outside Casa Rosada. The military fearing chaos have little choice and accept his condition. He spoke to the thorns and felt their admiration. He knew then that nothing could stand between him and the Casa Rosada. This day is known as the day of peronist loyalty and is celebrated on the 17^th of October. On October 21, 1945, Evita and Juan Perón were married and so begins one of the most important and tragic stories in Argentine political history.

TOUR

Evita’s life touches all the favorite Buenos Aires barrios. We start our Evita Experience in SanTelmo at the CGT (General Workers Union), the traditional source of ‘Peronist power’ (eve today) where she Eva Duarte Peron is still revered and remembered with a portrait mural on the facade the Building as well as a constant flame to celebrate her life.

Next door is the Engineering University .This monumental structure used to house The Eva Peron Foundation, established by Evita herself in order to help the poor and her further her own political ambitions.

From San Telmo we wander to the Plaza de Mayo, site of the Casa Rosada (Pink House) and its balconies  witness to Evita`s important speeches and Peronist rallies. Later, this seat of government suffered bombing by the military when during the Revolution Libertadora of 1955 that ended Peron’s first terms as president. You can still see the bullets hole on the Ministry of Economy and a plaque that reads – “The scars on this marble were the harvest of confrontation and intolerance .Their imprint on our memory will help the nation achieve a future greatness.”

Then is on to the national congress building where Evita witnessed the swearing of Peron`s second term after joining him in an open car traveling to  the Pink House, the whole time supported by a harness and covered in a mink coat to hide her frame ravaged by cancer and a body so weak and unable to  support her weight. Evita sadly passed away just a few days later at the peak of her popularity at the young age of 33. Congress is also where she lay in state for days on end while her faithful stood in line to get one last glimpse of their heroin.

From Congreso we travel on to Recoleta to see her monument and to visit the Duarte mausoleum where she finally lays interred at the Recoleta Cemetery.

Around her, lay many of her foe, sworn  enemies of the Perons and supporters of the status quo. We mean of course the landowning aristocracy and industrialist who still fear their legacy. Nearby, on Posadas street is the apartment where Eva Duarte Peron once lived.

We finish our journey in the Evita Museum that displays videos, photos, clippings and even a newspaper with her fingerprints. Among the many prize memorabilia are her wardrobe, shoes, handbags, hats, old wallets and even her perfumes.

We can take a coffee and a snack at the museum café on the patio and our Evita ‘specialist’ will answer your questions and help you piece together the impact this iconic lady had and still has on Argentine social and political history.

Contact us for an Evita tour

See the other tours provided by Buenos Aires Experience

What is a parrilla?

A “Parrilla” is a restaurant where they serve grilled meat, also referred to sometimes as a grill and is simply meat cooked on a grill over hot coals.

What is the difference between “asado” and “Parrilla”?

When we are going to make a barbeque at home we say, lest have an asado.

Technically, an asado is the very tasty ‘Strip of beef’ that all Argentines adore.  To visitors the asado is often a little fatty for their tastes.

A parrilla is also the grill we use at home and an asado is an essential part of argentine life; it is not just a meal, but also a celebration, a sacrament. On any given Sunday, you can smell charcoaled meat and chorizo flavored smoke rising form gardens and balconies all over Buenos Aires.

Argentina, would sell the best cuts of meat and exporting the best to maximize on profit often left the “asado de tira” and the “vacio” and therefore these cuts and also offal became a part of our daily diets – we developed a taste for what Americans and Europeans call the off-cuts.

In addition, most of the population was poorer and there were times even for the wealthy landowners when food might be a little scarce, therefore using all edible parts of the cow is pragmatic, we are not a prissy race. Oh! Apart from liver, which most of us despise as much as many Argentines avoid very green vegetables.

Anyway, meat is so good in Argentina and after it is professionally grilled (Argentine men all think and tell they are  all professionals, but only one man per family really is, the rest just enjoy!) carefully seasoned and dripped with chimichuri and lemon during cooking, you can almost eat the bones.

Beef up the  history

You may have asked yourself why Buenos Aires has such good Parrillas. Obviously, it has to do with the great quality of our meat.

Cows came to Argentina as early 1536 with Pedro de Mendoza’s first foundation of Buenos Aires. By 1541 they were forced to abandon their settlement and went home with some people moving to Asuncion. On the hurry and persued by the angry Rio del la Plata tribes they left their cows behind happily grazing and reproducing in the Pampas for 44 years. In 1580, Juan de Garay re-founded the city of Buenos Aires for a second time from Asunción.

He found that Pampas full of cows thriving in the wild with no predators and the Indians not too keen at this stage on these animals left by the white devils.

And so, the Argentine cattle trade begun. Settlers would organize “vaquerias” (from the Spanish word for cow: vaca), these consisted of permits for hunting cows across the Pampas. They would take the leather, eat what they needed and leave the carcass to rot. There really was no way of conserving the meat.

Eventually, they started drying the meat with salt. This meat was destined to the miners of Upper Peru and to feed the slaves of Brazil and United States of America .The real boom of the cattle industry came at the end of the 19^th century when the refrigerated chambers of ships and trains meant export.

This made it possible to export fresh cuts and Argentina’s geography (South Atlantic) and opposite seasons gave Argentina a unique competitive edge. Crossbreeding with the mighty Scots and American breeds improved the quality of the cattle and today Argentina is the third largest exporter of beef and its population consumes 63 kilos per capita.

The typical Asado

A typical Asado begins at 11 am when the Asador (he who grills) starts the fire. The accouterments of choice are vegetable charcoal and you may add a log of oak or pine to add flavor.   We remind you that Buenos Aires Experience offers asado cooking courses.

Guests also have role, it is to ensure that the Asador is happy. This means that you have to make sure his glass is always full with Malbec and he gets anything he may need, be it an empanada, or an extra knife.

The Asador will have to stand and cook for many hours and then serve the asado. This means getting dirty, being burnt and smelling like smoked beef jerky. He will not have a moment to sit down to enjoy his masterpiece – he eats directly from the grill whilst cooking.

The reward is that he chooses the best cuts for himself.

A good asado begins with a “copetin”, this is an aperitif accompanied with salami, cheese and potato chips. Then comes the “choripan” (sausage and bread) which works as a hunger reliever so as to give the asador more time before everybody gathers at the table.

Once the Asador thinks the asado is ready, the he will convene everybody to the table. They will enjoy some fried empanadas before the achuras (starters) are served. This consists of blood sausage, sweatbreads, chorizo pork sausage, provoleta (grilled provolone cheese) chitterlings, and veal kidneys.

Usually you accompany the asado with a variety of salads and grilled vegetables. Once we f finish the starters, we begin with the cuts. They consist of skirt steak, sirloin steak, rumps tail, rib eye steak, rib strip (asado de tira), tender loin, flank steak (vacio) and some chicken; the Asador will keep bringing the chopping board with the cuts until the diners say stop!  Enough already! We are ready to pop!

At this point, the Asador will emphasize what is left and encourage eating more. Often two or three will volunteer their stomachs for the sake of the asador’s pride. The whole process finishes at about 4 pm in the afternoon. At this point, if the diners are satisfied they will offer a big rounded applause to the Asador.

This is the tradition “¡un aplauso para el asador!”He will now finally join the table for a well deserved rest .After the “sobremesa” (a necessary ritual where one remains at the table chatting and drinking, which can last more time than the actual meal), the ladies will proceed to bring the dessert. Obviously something light like a sorbet, fruit salad flan or rice pudding.

Next comes more sobremesa with lots of coffee followed by a digestive like lemon cello or port.

The whole sacrament of the asado finishes at sundown. That night one usually eats just dome sandwiches made of the leftovers. To someone that is not used to this feast, it may seem a little bit like gluttony. The fact is that most Argentines only commit this most wonderful sin once a week and if they are lucky, every Sunday. We recommended that you praise the Asador so as he is willing to do it again.

By tradition, each family has a chosen Asador – generally the man of the house, but not necessarily.

My tango teacher always says that a man that does not know how to make an asado, no man at all.

Therefore, if you are a not so smooth gringo with an appetite for Argentine cuisine I suggest you get yourself to my course on the double….or your masculinity is at risk!

Ladies beware

We make no apologies that this sometimes horrendous and dirty deed is a ‘man job’ and we ask you ‘lady asador suffragettes ‘ to LAY OFF and realize that this is part of our culture, it is not becoming for one’s lady to blacken herself with charcoal after church, on her day of rest, in her Sunday best!

Learn asado – crash course!

My next article is about the best Parrilla´s in Buenos Aires

They need not have worried.  Reading the guests various comments in their hundreds makes interesting reading  and it is clearly apparent that from the very first day, visitors that chose to stay at La Margarita estancia Buenos Aires were overwhelmed by the peace, tranquility, and friendliness.

Visitors from all over the world comment again and again on how beautiful, serene, and peaceful their estancia stay has been and they vow to come back. We concur, La Margarita is a special place.

Visitors describe the delicious food, great horseback riding, and warm and attentive staff.

The words “fabulous time”, “didn’t want to leave”, and “the real Argentina”, “I feel rested thank you” appear again and again in the comments book.  We always ask for and read the comments book, it does clearly tell a story.

There is no better way to prove  that La Margarita Estancia Buenos Aires offers a unique opportunity to experience Argentine hospitality than the testimony of 100s of satisfied guests.

Located just 280 kilometres from Buenos Aires you are close enough to the city, but away enough for your estancia stay to benefit from wide open spaces and not another human being for as far as the eye can see or you might want to walk.

La Margarita is far enough away to avoid the crush of tourists suffered by Buenos Aires estancias closer to the capital, but close enough to enjoy a weekend break in a wonderful location without “the maddening crowd.”

What can you expect to find when you come to La Margarita?

As you turn off the main route to drive the five kilometers leading to Estancia La Margarita, you will immediately know that you are in different world. Vast countryside, wide-open skies, cows grazing the fields, and gauchos on horseback herding cattle are all on the horizon – this is the real Argentina, you are in the heart of the Pampas.

Pass the tiny white-washed school and a few small houses, and you arrive at start of the grounds of La Margarita. Driving through the entrance and up to the main house, you will notice the wonderful trees and woods on that surround the house.

The picturesque estancia house is located in the centre of the park lands surrounded by flowers and plants. You will be welcomed on your arrival and offered refreshments, the pointers get to you first and their greeting is honest pleasure, they bark that they are here to help and they are very much part of the team.

Once you have settled in to your room, you are free to do whatever you want, that’s it, nobody bother you until you look like you might need something and then as if by magic one of the girls appears – how?  Are these girls super beings who mind read, we laughed about twice during our stay.

We explored the huge grounds, took a nap in a hammock, swam in the pool, and went riding early evening it was bliss.  If inclined you might simply go for a walk to breathe in the wonderful fresh air and experience the calmness that Estancia La Margarita offers in abundance.

It was summer, but we saw pictures of guests during  winter, sat by the enormous log-burning fireplace in the living room. Sharing a glass of wine with fellow guests all smiling and hot from the fire.  We fancy going back for a night or two when the weather cools.

For under USD100 each, you get 24 hours of bliss, with all meals, drinks and activities included, you can ride twice a day if you wish – that is superb value.

We do not usually write about Buenos Aires estancias, but we think that La Margarita deserves a special mention for the quality of the stay and a very, very reasonable price tag.

Contact La Margarita Estancia Buenos Aires

Without doubt, we offer Buenos Aires’ most luxurious and unique accommodation and tour, which will close April 2011 and is therefore limited and subject to availability.

In conjunction with the LUXURY LORD, Lord Alain Levenfiche, we are proud to announce and offer discerning travelers the most luxurious tour of Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province, vacationing in two of Buenos Aires’ most talked about, landmark and unique properties.

7 days in Buenos Aires City & Province

Spend 4 days at the Kavanagh Penthouse and then 3 days at Santa Maria de Lobos Polo Estate, both properties staffed to care for guests with a gentlemens’ gentleman (butler) and/or full time maid, an on-call chef and multilingual interpreter/guide to live the best of Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province.

Our five stars  luxury Buenos Aires travel and tours experience is exclusive to Buenos Aires Experience.

For the first time, Lord Alain Levenfiche, the LUXURY LORD, will open his palatial Argentine homes both in Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province for parties of up to eight to ten guests for 7 to 14 days.

Buenos Aires City Experience – live the belle epoch at the iconic Kavanagh 14 floor penthouse

Our guests will live the belle epoch, Luxury Lord Style, on the 14^th floor of the iconic Kavanagh building, Buenos Aires’ most exclusive skyline penthouse apartment for a unique Buenos Aires City Experience.

Buenos Aires Country Experience –‘lord’ it over the Pampas at the Santa Maria de Lobos Polo Estate

Guests will travel across Buenos Aires Pampas by luxury SUV or helicopter to Casa de Lord, at Santa Maria de Lobos Polo Club, staying a No.1 Polo estancia, simply the most luxurious private estancia found anywhere in South America. Fully staffed and privately guided from arrival to departure this Buenos Aires Experience will help you unlock the secrets of Buenos Aires City and Argentina’s Pampas.

Buenos Aires Experience advises and plans unique travel and tours of Buenos Aires and Argentina to your exact specifications and of course, our exacting standards.  Your Buenos Aires Experience might include:

• Take an inspirational and historical journey through the city of Buenos Aires to celebrate our proud culture
• Fly by private aircraft over the Parana Delta, Buenos Aires City and Uruguay for lunch on Martin Garcia Island on the Rio del La Plata
• Take tango lessons (optional)  and head out for a rip-roaring ‘tango for real’ night on the town
• Enjoy the fauna and flora rich Parana Delta on a luxury day cruise with lunch
• Experience horsemanship Argentine style – ride the Gauchos’ pony of choice, the Criollo or learn to play polo at the LUXURY LORDS Polo estancia
• In season we can arrange small game hunting and angling any season
• Relax by the pool with fountains cascading around you whilst our chef prepares a mouth watering Patagonian asado (meat cooked on coals)
• Let our resident sommelier (wine expert) introduce you to the wonders of Argentine wines that we do not export!

Make your travel and tours of the Argentine a mind-blowing once in a lifetime Buenos Aires Experience.

We truly tailor our tours to ‘fit’ your imaginings of the perfect Buenos Aires Experience.  Our tours are designed by you with the help of an Experience Director who then guides you for the duration of your vacation.

This tour is ‘priceless’ for luxury travelers who demand the ultimate Buenos Aires Experience with no expense spared and every opportunity taken to capture the REAL Buenos Aires visitors yearn to see…but more often miss.

This exclusive five stars luxury accommodation  and tour by Buenos Aires Experience will close April 2011