Buenos Aires; first impressions

As the plane touched down at Buenos Aires airport I felt a sense of relief and excitement that I had finally arrived in this wonderful country. As the pilot announced that it was a very cold -3 degrees, I began to feel slightly nervous about my lack of Spanish skills. I have spent the past few months attempting to learn the basics, but is that really enough to get myself around this country for the next few weeks?

After a long and much needed sleep I awoke energetic and excited to explore the city. I made my way to the infamous San Telmo Sunday Market, set down the cobbled streets of the San Telmo neighbourhood. The Market is surrounded by classical churches, art galleries, antique shops and old European style cafe, making it a very interesting and slightly bizarre setting for a market. You can find hand made jewelry, hand woven hats, multi-coloured scarves, leather bags and more gold, silver and shiny objects than Aladdin's cave. All hand made, all unique and all very tempting to buy. Of course amongst it all there are photos, books and memorabilia of their hero Che, shirts, scarves, hats and badges of their beloved football team, and music, art and photos of their much loved tango.

















The street sellers are as interesting as the goods they sell. Young Argentinians who look like they've been travelling all their lives, old woman dancing to tango music behind their stalls and young children bargaining with their customers for "10 more pesos".

The Argentinian love for music is clear as the locals dance through the Market listening to traditional live bands, old men in sombreros strumming a guitar and Latino versions of the White Stripes. All through the Market you can smell the sweet treats of donuts, popcorn covered caramel apples and tasty empanadas. Men riding bikes selling bread from their baskets and women selling cafe from their trolleys.

San Telmo is certainly a unique and bizarre traditional Market and a perfect introduction to this charismatic city.