[26th February - 4th March 2007]

Well, here we are at week number 13 of my (late as usual) Buenos Aires blog roundup. 13, lucky for some? Well, if you like blogs and Buenos Aires, this may indeed be your lucky day! I can’t believe it’s been a quarter of a year already since I started to write these roundups. I guess time flies when you are reading blogs all the time rather than doing any real work…

Buenos Aires Blog Posts of the Week

• He doesn’t post very often these days (I know – pot… kettle… black), but when El Expatriado springs into action, you sure know you will be in for some interesting and/or useful reading. And very useful indeed (for those laptop users among us) is this list of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Buenos Aires
• Yanqui Mike put in a sterling effort with his post commemorating the 150th anniversary of the death of Almirante Guillermo Brown (Bill to his mates) this Saturday, which saw a contingent come from County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland to lay wreaths on his grave in Recoleta cemetery (you can’t miss Brown’s, it’s the big Irish-green column with a ship on top). I would have liked to be there, as not only is Brown also one of my favorite figures in Argentine history (see Mike’s post to understand why), but also my mum is from that part of Ireland, and I spent a good few summer holidays growing up in and around Mayo… so I guess I feel an extra association with Brown… not that I’m thinking of running off and founding another country’s navy any time soon
• Robert proves that around every corner in Buenos Aires there are still interesting discoveries to be made. This time he made a visit to the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, just off Av. de Mayo, and happened upon a beautiful cloister where soldiers from both sides were buried during the (unsuccessful) British invasions of Buenos Aires during 1806 and 1807. Shame the church authorities wouldn’t let him in to take some better pics

Things to See and Do in Buenos Aires

• Robert also posted some more, very different discoveries in his 36th (count ‘em!) roundup of the weird and wonderful stencil graffiti around Buenos Aires. Also, Disco Shawn (stencils) and Mark DeLoura (freehand) joined in on the BA graffiti act (not literally, I guess… although this is in the things to see AND do section!) in their respective blogs this week
• Diva suggests we take an economically priced tour (AR$0.80) on the number 24 bus. I’ve always preferred the 29 myself, when it comes to sheer numbers of standard Buenos Aires sightseeing attractions And Jeff Barry, well he likes to get adventurous on the 39, going through the colorful barrio of Constitución
• One Argentina Travel blog writer has been relaxing in the Japanese Gardens of Palermo, a haven of Zen tranquility in the middle of crazy Buenos Aires City, something I’m quite partial to myself, as you can see in my previous post about Buenos Aires’ Jardin Japones
• And after re-charging their batteries, the Argentina Travel blog then went on a shopping spree along Av. Santa Fe, one of the best streets for shopping in Buenos Aires, where some bargains are to be found
• Karine has a nice post about Buenos Aires Zoo in Palermo, with lots of lovely cute animal photos

Buenos Aires Info, News & General Comments

• The Greek in Argentina penned an interesting blog post to help with understanding Buenos Aires women, with a nod to Christina Kirchner who may well be the next president of Argentina, following on from her husband Nestor, just as Isabel Peron did when she became the first female head of state in the western hemisphere back in 1974, after the death of her husband Juan (he of the rather famous earlier wife, Evita). Nestor, if you’re thinking what I am, I hope for your sake that lightning doesn’t strike twice!
• In other news, last week it rained like crazy, and Diva explains how this brings out the worst in some Buenos Aires residents

Buenos Aires Restaurants, Food & Drink

• Saltshaker is more than making up for lost time after his time apart from the Buenos Aires restaurant scene, this week giving his expert review treatment to Sette Bacco, a good, romantic, upscale Italian restaurant in Recoleta, Chan Chan, a decent Peruvian restaurant in Congreso, and finally the Recoleta outlet of Romario, a pretty good Pizza chain which has a few restaurants around Buenos Aires
• I also got in on the Pizza reviewing act (again!), this time with my thoughts on the fantastic pizza a la parrilla (a thin crust pizza cooked over a grill) on offer at Morelia in Palermo Hollywood
• Often mentioned as one of the best places to eat steak in the whole world, Cabaña Las Lilas also happens to be one of the most expensive places to eat steak in Buenos Aires, and therefore way outside of my meager review budget. Luckily, for you the inquiring reader, somebody over at Argentina’s Travel Blog had the cash to flash at this fancy Puerto Madero Steakhouse. And yes, I’m jealous!
• There are of course, many cheaper food options available in Buenos Aires. And as Ken kindly points out, almost everywhere delivers here
• Back to Saltshaker again – Dan has put together a useful Spanish to English food dictionary in eBook format, at a bargain price of US$10, which is bound to come in useful for visitors to Buenos Aires trying to get their heads round the menus here for the first time

Funny or Odd Stuff in Buenos Aires

• When it comes to driving, porteños are downright weird, fast and crazy. Ken has some words on the subject, in his paean to porteños behind the wheel. Just make sure you are careful crossing the road when in Buenos Aires, folks!
• And Ken has also vowed to take his camera with him wherever he goes in Buenos Aires from now, because you never know when something crazy is going to happen here, like a sidewalk collapsing and almost swallowing up a news-stand. Just another day in Buenos Aires!

That’s your lot for this week. Some great posts there to keep you reading for a while. I’m going for a lie down… well-earned I think!