Pocket Pesos

Shirley | 20 | NYC 📍Buenos Aires, Argentina

[pocketpesos]

El Tigre | The Maté Museum

Buenos Aires is a city of tango, steak, and wine, but its grand obsession with maté can be seen in the streets, shops, parks, and restaurants. To be a true Argentine, one has to learn how to drink the infused beverage out of the traditional cup, and all the customs that surround it. It’s a social ritual that encompasses historical and cultural values while providing that necessary boost of energy locals need to function throughout the day. Maté is to Buenos Aires the way coffee is to New York.

[pocketpesos]

El Tigre | Boat tour

The boat tour in Tigre was so incredibly relaxing on such a gloriously sunny Saturday. As we moved along the Rio de La Plata, the warm breeze kissing our skin, we saw so many cute cabanas and cozy little homes along the river. I caught glimpses of Tigre’s lucky residents taking advantage of the weather tanning, swimming, kayaking, and speedboating. Sometimes, I forget that I’m here in Argentina to go to school because it’s still summer below the equator. It’s easy to soak up the laid-back vibes and I’m always reminded to slow down, a sharp contrast from trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of New York City. Studying abroad has become such a refreshing chance of pace. 

[pocketpesos]

Palermo SoHo | Neighborhood strolls

Something about the European architecture and colors of this side street alley really reminded me of the Washington Square Mews that I miss so much.

[pocketpesos]

Palermo SoHo | The perfect place to grab brunch during the day and drinks at night

Palermo SoHo, a barrio home to trendy and chic boutiques and restaurants, is a tribute to New York City’s own SoHo with its cobblestone streets, retail stores, and delicious foods.

[pocketpesos]

El Tigre | Argentine flag Once you hop off the train to Tigre, a town full of markets and water activities just an hour’s ride away, you’re greeted with various flags from countries around the world. All the flags line the huge junction near the station, but the Argentine flag, the tallest and largest flag, is located in the center of them all. 

[pocketpesos]

Colorful Argentina pesos! Receiving a crisp and clean Evita bill is like finding a toy in the cereal box.

[pocketpesos]

Palermo | On the way to class in the morning

Graffiti and street art is ever present in Buenos Aires. Huge, vibrant murals featuring cartoons, caricatures, and abstract designs color the city, sending strong political, social, and cultural messages. 

[pocketpesos]

Artemisia Cocina Naturale | Palermo SoHo

[pocketpesos]

Los Dedos | Punta del Este, Uruguay

The famous sculpture of emerging fingers at Punta del Este. Designed by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal, it serves as a warning to swimmers about the rough waves. 

[pocketpesos]

Playa El Emir | Punta del Este, Uruguay

[pocketpesos]

NYU Buenos Aires | Academic Center Student Lounge

I take classes at a Tudor-style building that used to be home to the Angolan Embassy.

[pocketpesos]

February 11, 2015 El Ateneo | One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world

In 2011, Buenos Aires was named the World Book Capital by UNESCO. There's a bookstore on every corner in this city.

[pocketpesos]

February 9, 2015 Desayuno | The most underplayed meal of the day in Argentina

I never had a chance to properly say goodbye to American breakfast (eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, the works). Breakfast in Argentina is very light, usually consisting of two pieces of toast, juice, coffee, or tea, and fruit. Pictured above, I once had an alfajor, a very popular chocolate shortbread with a layer of dulce de leche in the middle, to start off the day. 

[pocketpesos]

February 4, 2015 Caminito, La Boca | The most colorful barrio of Buenos Aires

[pocketpesos]

February 4, 2015 Cemeterio de la Recoleta | Where the wealthy and famous come to rest

The cemetery speaks volumes about the history behind Argentina as well as the country's cultural values about respecting lost loved ones.

[pocketpesos]

February 2015 Homemade dinners by my homestay mama Pizza and empanadas are popular foods in Argentina. It was a surprise to see just as many pizzerias in Buenos Aires as there are in NYC. I'm 5294 miles away, but I'm reminded of home every day. 

In Buenos Aires, dinners usually take place between 9-10PM and can last for as long as 3 hours. It's a definite change in pace from the hustle and bustle of NYC where everyone is always quick on their feet, running to the next appointment, meeting, class. If you're on time, you're early. Argentines take things easy and slow, light and casual. My time here feels like an eternal summer. 

[pocketpesos]

February 1st, 2015 The 10 hour flight to Buenos Aires | Somewhere over South America