Music

Music and dancing is central to everything here. On the street you will always hear music, there are always buskers on the Subway and in clubs when it hits 2-3am people start dancing salsa and tango on the dance floor rather than the drunk dancing you find in the UK. There is one guy in San Telmo who's face is actually used on a Tesco coffee label. I have put his picture below

Pena

I went to a Pena the other day. This is a bar where people have food and drink and listen to Tango bands. I went with a friend who plays incredible tango. After the professional show there is a back room where my friend and I were and he just started playing. Loads of people joined in until the whole room was singing along, people were playing pianos, violins, guitars and accordions. It was mind-blowing. The music is always so melancholic and powerful, very different from the pop tango you hear in the UK. Its usually men who sing and play, I don't know why but that's how it seemed to be. Diego, my friend and all his friends were amazing at just playing any song people requested or just started. Someone would start playing a song and within one bar everyone would join in with melodies, harmonies and all the instruments. I was then taken to an after Pena. Now in Argentine this is starting to get late, we got there at 3 and then left at 7am. It was in an old Chapel. The music was stunning, people were dancing and I was sat in the middle of a courtyard in an old chapel in Buenos Aires listening to stunning music with the sun slowly rising. It was one of those moments I will never forget.

Some grafitti

This city is covered in graffiti, much of it just tagging but some is incredible. Some amazing pieces of art to walk past and enjoy. Its not just in the underground areas- its everywhere. People here loving having a voice again. After having it taken away by the dictatorship people love making a stand here. Whether it be the regular voting which by the way has over 80% participation rate, or the hourly demonstrations to shouting their ideas and views on the walls of this city.

Japanese Botanical Gardens

A hide-away from the hustle and bustle of the city lies the Japanese gardens. They have huge Koi Carp, lots of pretty cherry trees and a huge amount of public displays of affection! The Argentines do smooch a lot and I think the flowing water and blossom only adds to it.