Deserted City

New Year’s Eve. 2700 buses left the city of Buenos Aires today. Imagine that. One bus leaving after another in every minute. The bus system has to be solid to handle this traffic.

With so many buses filled with passengers leaving town, who else were left? The tourists!

Locals had four day holidays, and they preferred to go out of town to the beaches and surrounding countries instead of dealing with tourists and the heat. It’s very much like Paris in August.

I have read that B.A. is a ghost town during New Year. True.

Amy and I had a stroll along Palarmo Soho streets that afternoon and it was unusually quiet everywhere.

P/S: I don’t have plans every day. Somehow that has been β€œthe best plan”. It makes me flexible to any plans that come to me.

Amy: You gotta wear a hat. It's hot! Take mine.

Amy: You gotta wear a hat. It's hot! Take mine.

Strolling along Palermo streets

Strolling in Palermo

Beautiful Bougainivillea flower blooming (these flowers are originally native to South America, now very popular in S. E. Asia.)

Beautiful Bougainivillea flower blooming (these flowers are originally native to South America, now very popular in S. E. Asia.)

Nice outdoor cafe - empty

Nice outdoor cafe - empty

Usually is packed with people, but empty on New Year's Eve

Usually is packed with people, but empty during New Year's Eve

Not many shops were open. I think only Americans (and Chinese of course) are more hardworking and crazy about making money.

Not many cafes were open either. Those that were open, were packed with tourists.

Outdoor cafe packed with tourists at a plaza

Outdoor cafe packed with tourists at a plaza

I dislike crowded places. So, we decided not to have lunch there. We were tired and hungry, the weather was hot, so we jumped in a taxi instead of walking home. πŸ™‚

Blue and white. Patriotic Argentinean.

Blue and white. Patriotic Argentinean.

Got some take-outs and went home. Home sweet home. Perfect. πŸ™‚

Conventillo de Lujo

Conventillo de Lujo (http://www.conventillodelujo.com) is not located in the city center. That’s what I like about it. I don’t like touristy places.

You can read all about this guest house from their website. Here are my pictures and some reviews.

Exterior:

Tango couple at the entrance

Tango couple at the entrance

Past the reception, you’ll see a common area and kitchen. Dance studio is next to the common area.

The kitchen is well-lit. How?

… because it has glass ceiling!

A better picture:

Conventillo de Lujo

Conventillo de Lujo glass ceiling


Photo credit: http://conventillodelujo.com/photogallery.htm

Tree in courtyard

Tree in courtyard

You can tell this kitchen used to be an open-air courtyard because there’s a tree growing in here.

Pactising tango

Pactising tango at the studio (next to the courtyard)

Door to patio

Door to 4th floor terrace.

Gateway to my room on the 4th floor (there’s a lift in the building). Amy painted the walls. She said the walls were not flat, instead of making them perfect, why not just paint them in beautiful colors? I couldn’t agree more.

Open the terrace door, you’ll see this:

I’ve requested for a quiet room, away from all the noise. So, Amy put me in the only room on the terrace. Perfect!

See the fuchsia door at the end? That’s my room.

All rooms were named after tango dances. My room is “Milonguita”.

It’s a very basic room.

I love the wood floor and the beams in the ceiling. It has a cottage feel, so cozy. πŸ™‚

A desk, fridge, microwave on one side; tv and closet are across from the bed.

Private bathroom is a luxury in guest houses. You’ll know once you start booking for a month of hostel accommodations.

Two cute parrots outside my window. Awwww… so cute. Yes, they are fake, but they are forever loyal and won’t fly away.

View from the terrace.

Stairs to solarium.

Wouldn’t it be nice to read a book while soaking up the sun here? πŸ™‚

Terrace view from solarium. Many bbq parties have been held here.

And this is where I have my morning tea.


I love vintage furniture. This chair is made from the seat of an old tractor. Designed by Amy.

Amy turned her family’s old Singer sewing machines into tables.

I wanted to ring in the New Year in style. So, initially I’ve booked a room at Mansion Dandi Royal, a more posh hotel that’s dedicated to tango fanatics. Then, I thought that didn’t feel right. I really just want to have a cozy place. Conventillo de Lujo might be too quiet for a lot of people, but it’s perfect for me. I’m so glad I canceled reservation at Mansion Dandi Royal. πŸ™‚ Always follow your heart.

Trash. Kids. Soccer.

Breezy night. Amy and I went out for some fresh air and to watch kids playing soccer right outside the hostel.

Amy:”Oh, you see what I mean? This is what I don’t like. There are garbage bins and yet people threw trash bags in the middle of the road!”

Amy:”The cars are going to run over the garbage and it’s going to be dirty everywhere.”

Me:”Amy, there are two more bags over there…”

Amy and I (smiled at each other):”Oh…”

The kids were using the trash as the soccer goal. πŸ™‚

“Goal!!” A kid looked at us and shouted happily. I clapped.

You just need one ball and all the kids in the neighborhood can play. Isn’t soccer the best sports ever?

Would I be able to experience this if I had booked a hotel at the city center? πŸ™‚

Litter and Trash Pick Up

Three trash pick-ups a day and there is still litter on the streets. Amy expressed her sadness towards irresponsible street littering in Buenos Aires. She is very proud of her country, but not proud of Argentines’ littering habit.

Buenos Aires Trash Pick Up

Buenos Aires Trash Pick Up

Well, no fine for littering? Three time clean-ups per day? Meaning if I throw a piece of paper on the street, and it would “miraculously” disappear after a few hours? I might just start throwing garbage on the roads too.

She also feels upset about ugly wall drawings everywhere.

πŸ™