Archive for July, 2010
surviving BsAs
by armadillo on Jul.13, 2010, under Dancing Tango
PACKING SUGGESTIONS.
IF STAYING IN SHARED ACCOMMODATION…plastic cup, plate, bowl. Cutlery for 1, incl sharp knife. Keep them in your room. Not everyone washes kitchen items well & it’s a fast way to transmit colds & flu.
IF STAYING IN AN APARTMENT…If you want to cook, [I cook big tubs of stew and soup, and put in freezer, great when you come home tired and hungry] bring along a packet of your favourite herbs & spices, and pepper to sprinkle on your food, along with gravox,custard powder, lime jelly, peanut butter, vegemite, french onion soup for thickening soups etc, pepper is completely unobtainable here. It’s nonexistent in cafe’s too.
AS FOR THE REST…Some suggestions…
Good walking shoes,[ the street paving is treacherous] that can be worn to a milonga without bother
pen & a notebook – for class notes & taking & giving of details
A book to read &/or crossword puzzle book – don’t always feel like going out, especially if feeling off
small or home diary for jotting daily doings – good reference for emailing home
Laptop, & any CD’s & DVD’s [minus covers] you fancy
List of family & friends phone numbers & email addresses – for emergencies as well as keeping in touch
camera & video & recharging equipment
2 x photocopies of passport, drivers licence, medicare card, credit and debit cards – keep extra copy at home
medications &/or prescription or list, bring box covers, they can give equivalent meds here
IN WINTER..tights & leggings
bed socks, they only provide minimal blankets & no electric blankets at all
thermal tank top & camilsole – you will need them!
slippers – a must
warm socks, scarf, hat and gloves
A fan – it can still get warm dancing, even in winter!
IN SUMMER… a fan for each shoe bag you take, so you don’t forget it!
Hat, sunnies,sunscreen & swimmers – there is often a balcony or roof terrace to relax upon
Clothes suitable for high humidity
NAVIGATING BUENOS AIRES
“Tango Map Guide” magazine including map can be obtained at any shoe shop or Milonga, it’s a must
The Subte – trains are frequent & a quick efficient way to get around – price $1.10 per trip, they are often very crowded in peak hour, there is always someone who will want to sell you something and it is common practice to give up your seat for an elderly person, pregnant mother or a mother with a child. NOTE. The trains cease service at 11pm.
The Buses – Also quick & efficient, they are a 24 hour service – price $1.10 with a max of $2.00. The timetable book is widely avaiable at any newspaper stand $5.00p NOTE. Only coins are accepted on buses.
Taxis – Quite cheap and a must in dangerous areas or after 11pm [See separate section on taxis]
The vast majority of streets in Buenos Aires are 1 way, it’s advisable to stop walking at all corners, pedestrians do NOT have right of way, the drivers do not always use indicators, but will sometimes toot their horn on approaching a corner. The blocks are square, with house numbers of 100 to each block and the house numbers are of an identical type, always there and visible. Residential blocks use the intercom system to open the doors. Quite a lot of small businesses keep their doors locked at all times and you have to buzz or knock to be allowed in. Pollution is a problem, so be prepared if needed.
BANKING
ATM’S –
