View of a Local in Buenos Aires, Argentina
In this second interview of our
View of a Local series journalist and college professor Jorge Gobbi reveals a wealth of information about his hometown Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a journalist and a college professor, and I’ve been blogging since 2002. I have many interests; while the blogs (Blog de Viajes and Zirma) are mostly focused on travel, as a journalist I work mainly in technology.
On the academic side, I am a Communication Sciences graduate and I teach at the same Faculty at Universidad de Buenos Aires. Also, I am finishing a master program on Science, Technology and Societe at Universidad de Quilmes.
How long have you lived in Buenos Aires?
Always 
What do you like most about living in Buenos Aires?
The city is always busy, particularly at night. I love its libraries, its many bars, the possibility to stroll anywhere you want. And that, despite being a big and populated city, there’s always time to sit down and a have a cup of coffee or some beers.
Is there anything you do not like about living in Buenos Aires?
Public transportation is getting worse. The sidewalks are usually filthy, and some areas of the city are unattended while other areas can’t stop constructing big and expensive buildings. This distance is not casual, since the income distribution is worsening in Argentina, something that’s destroying the local middle class, the most dynamic sector of the economy.
Why should travellers visit Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires has been a very expensive city for quite a while, but now it’s very accessible thanks to current exchange rates. Since we don’t know how long this situacion will hold, I’d recommend you plan your trip for not too long from now.
Of course, there are many places to know, a very active and long night (you’ll go to sleep at any time) and lots of people to talk to.
From Buenos Aires you can also go to other places of the country. Unfortunately, for a few months now, local airlines are charging higher fares to foreign, non-resident tourists, which in my opinion, are too high. I talked about it in my blog here >> (currently in spanish only).
What do you wish travellers would do when they visit Buenos Aires?
As with many other cities, the best thing to do is to take a walk. With a few exceptions, tours are not very helpful. The subway system provides a pretty good service, although somewhat complicated at peak hours, and it’s useful to head to many places around town.
Even at touristic spots, such as the downtown or La Boca, you’ll find interesting things. Or at the Mataderos Fair, where you can go by bus, easily. You can also walk around Palermo, filled with bars and restaurants of all kinds and traditions.
Puerto Madero is very “in” now, and it’s the current place of residence of the wealthiest of the city. You can walk along Avenida de Mayo and see the architecture of the area, and its “european” city illusion.
The train can take you to Tigre, a place really worth visiting. It’s possible to do rural tourism in Buenos Aires’ surroundings, but you have to select carefully where to go, so that it won’t just be asado (grilled meats and poultry), a couple of zambas and chacareras (local folk dances and music).
What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit Buenos Aires?
Take city tours, go to tango for export shows where the dancers perform something remotely familiar to the original dance, and only think of shopping. Buenos Aires is much more than tango, leather and meat. But even if that’s what you’re looking for, with a little searching, you can find interesting and original offers.
If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Buenos Aires, what should it be?
Surely, the city’s downtown is the most indicated. Avenida de Mayo is very interesting.
If a visitor had time for only one meal in Buenos Aires, which dish would you recommend?
It’s quite obvious, Argentinean meat is extraordinary, and it’s the main food. You have to try the tripes, specially the molleja, one of the most delicious things you can eat. Some people are hesitant about it, but they don’t know what they’re missing.
Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Buenos Aires?
The Mataderos Fair is a good place to buy traditional products from the northern provinces of Argentina. Sunday is a great day to go to fairs, such as the one in San Telmo and the one at Plaza Francia. Or the Puerto de Frutos, in Tigre.
At night time, you can walk around Buenos Aires, particularly along Corrientes Avenue, where there’s always people strolling and eating pizza, which is absolutely delicious (you have to eat pizza!). Pasta too, particularly sorrentinos, a local creation that is the result of a long Italian tradition (about half of the local population is descendent of Italians who arrived to this country in the beginning of the 20th century).
Put your pin in our map
Our new View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.
The map below shows the places covered so far.
Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.
For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>
Technorati Tags: Buenos Aires, Argentina, travel
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That was fast! I hope the interview reaches the right public: the travellers.
22 October, 2006 at 1:04Great answers deserve a quick turn-around!
22 October, 2006 at 1:28You have certainly made me want to go Buenos Aires.
Thanks so much for your tips.
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18 November, 2007 at 11:02