A Tango on Every Corner of Buenos Aires

When touring Buenos Aires, it often seems that there's an exotic-looking, tango-dancing couple on every street corner. Much like street musicians in other major cities, street dancers are common in this exciting Argentina city. In addition, professional dancers in the numerous excellent tango shows of Buenos Aires provide great entertainment.

Buenos Aires is one of South America's most popular destinations, and is the most-visited by cruise ships sailing in South American waters. American shoppers tired of the euro and pound exchange rates will eat up the bargains in Buenos Aires. The leather was so gorgeous and relatively inexpensive, that I once bought three leather jackets in one day!

Of course, Buenos Aires has more than good bargains and tango dancing for the traveler. The vivacious Argentine city has warm, sunny weather in the austral summer months of December through March. Buenos Aires also has a European look and a sophisticated beat. The people are absolutely beautiful--enough to make anyone envious. For those who hate that jetlag feeling, Buenos Aires is only two time zones different than the east coast of the U.S. And, if you love late nights and a party atmosphere, Buenos Aires has it all.

Some of the things to do in Buenos Aires include:

• Plaza de Mayo is the center of political activity in Buenos Aires and much of its recent history, so it's an appropriate place to start a city tour. The plaza is flanked by the Pink House, Argentina's presidential palace, the city's Metropolitan Cathedral, and the colonial Calildo, with an interesting artisans' market in the courtyard.
• The San Telmo Antiques Fair of Buenos Aires is centered in the small Plaza Dorrego, which is transformed each Sunday morning into a flea market, with hundreds of booths selling everything from used tourist "junk" to pricey antiques. It is a great place to browse and people watch. The park surrounding the Recoleta Cemetery also has an excellent artisans' market on Sunday afternoon.
• La Boca is one of Buenos Aires' most colorful districts. The buildings along La Caminito, a popular pedestrian street, are painted in bright colors. It's a very festive area!
• The 13-acre Recoleta cemetery is the final home to more than 6,400 Argentines buried in elaborate (even ostentatious) tombs and mausoleums. Eva Peron is buried in La Recoleta, as are many of Argentina's other rich and famous citizens such as Sarmiento. The surnames on the tombs are familiar to all Argentines.
• A day at an Argentine ranch features great barbecue and gaucho cowboys.

When you visit Buenos Aires, do a tango dance (and check out the leather jackets) for me!

Buenos Aires Tango Dancers (c) Linda Garrison