Things to Know When Visiting Buenos Aires

As our exploration of Buenos Aires is quickly coming to an end, we have compiled a list of things we have learned over the past month and a half: Things we've learned about Buenos Aires, a retrospect:

• Beware of puddles on sidewalks; air conditioners condense and drip from above.
• Watch your step on sidewalks, dogs run wild around the city and leave messes everywhere. Also, many of the sidewalks have uneven concrete tiles where you can easily twist your ankle.
• Be sure to carry cash wherever you go, some smaller places don't trust banks or accept Credit Cards.
• Most people dress conservatively and some will sometimes stare if you wear short shorts.
• Asshole- pelotudo...good to know if your a woman or pedestrian
• Despite the proximity to a water source, seafood costs more than beef.
• Most Argentinos speak only Spanish, even knowing a little will be greatly appreciated.
• Always carry a map or 'Guia T';  Buenos aires is BIG and many places are unmarked and streets change names.
• Asking for directions from locals can be frustrating. Their directions  to most places are as follows: two blocks, make a right and its on the corner.
• Finding a public swimming pool is nearly impossible. They're either ridiculously expensive, chock-full of kids or private clubs
• Streets and places are not obviously marked with signs so make sure to know the physical address, phone number and cross-streets.
• Carritos (outdoor food carts) are THE place to get delicious beef or sausage sandwiches for very little pesos.
• Get vegetables at verdulerias, NOT at the grocery store. The same goes for meat and bread: meat-carneceria, bread-panaderia.
• Bife de lomo-filet style cut, very lean.  Bife de chorizo-NOT sausage, moderately fatty, but super flavorful meat. Bife de Costilla- Ribs. Vacillo-Big chunk of boneless meat, similar to rump-raost. Choritos/choris-sausage sandwiches. Molleja- sweetbreads. Hamburguesa completa-hamburger, ham, egg and fixin's
• Keep your change, busses don't accept bills and places are super stingy with their coins.
• Do not get on the subte (subway) between 5 and 7 pm unless you want to be squashed up against twenty other people you don't know and possibly pick-pocketed.
• Carry only what you need; pick-pocketing and theft DOES happen and foreigners are targets.
• Dont be alarmed by trash on the streets and people picking through it; it's actually a very effective, self-regulating recycling system run by groups of people called Cartoneros.
• People DO NOT like spicy things here so bring or make your own hot sauce.
• Sound like an Argentine! There are subtle language differences here than in other Latin countries: Palta-avocado, pileta-swimming pool, anana-pineapple.
• Words with the 'll' are pronounced with a 'zsch' sound instead of a 'yeh' sound in Spain: ie) calle-ca(zsch)e
• Tipping 10% is standard in restaurants. For taxi drivers, just round up and let them keep the change.
• Wash fruits and veggies very well since Hep A is prevalent here.
• Cars and buses have the right-of-way. Pedestrians DO NOT so be careful, even when you have the walk sign.
• Hepatitis, Yellow fever vaccinations ARE available and legit here...they even cost less than in the US.
• Save your beer and soda bottles, they can be returned for a credit.
• Argentines are proud, animated, close-talking people who are welcoming and willing to help if you make an effort too.