Time Out!

My bibleI already finished the book that I discussed in the last blog post dedicated to discussing readings so I planned on speaking about a travel guide that I've been using frequently in Buenos Aires. Time Out Buenos Aires is a travel book that was recommended to me by Steve last semester before I came to Argentina. I was planning on buying it at the travel book store in Union Square, but I just never got around to purchasing it. Upon arriving to Buenos Aires, and to my homestay, I noticed that there were a lot of books on the bookshelf in my room. Many of the books were religiously based, some were various spanish-english dictionaries and phrase books and there were a couple of guide books and maps. I read some of the tips in the Lonely Planet guide book to Buenos Aires but for some reason the pages just couldn't grasp my attention. I noticed a very brightly colored book tucked somewhere in the back and reached for it, at first thinking it was a book of coupons. Instead, what I found was my bible for the next semester. Time Out in Buenos Aires is a very vibrant book that has everything relating to Buenos Aires and its habitants including restaurant reviews, daily itineraries, phrases used by porteños, tips for bars and clubs and what I love most about it: maps. The maps in the back of the guidebook have helped me in moments when I thought I was going to have a panic attack in an unknown barrio and too embarrassed to ask for directions. It shows every barrio in Buenos Aires, its main streets and the actual numbers alloted on each block, so you know how many blocks you need to walk to get when you need to go. It's color-coded and it's absolutely necessary to have if you're not comfortable enough with the vastness of this large city. Buenos Aires is the largest city I've ever lived in, and this map has helped me greatly and is something that I still use even after being here for almost four months.

Another great aspect of the guidebook is that it breaks down Buenos Aires into its major barrios. There is so many barrios in Buenos Aires, if you can manage to see each one of them, you deserve a gold star. The book gives you historical information about the barrio and provides a very picturesque description complete with glorious pictures. It also gives you must-see sites in the barrio, museums, galleries, parks, gardens and much much more. For someone like me who lives in the largest barrio in Buenos Aires (palermo), this guide was very helpful in seeing things that otherwise I most likely would have looked over. Restaurants are also broken up by cuisine, and then by barrio as well. Considering that many restaurants here don't accept credit cards, it also tells you whether or not credit cards are accepted, then giving a round-about price as to how much a meal would cost. The same thing is done for bars, but I normally don't use Time Out for finding a bar. If you're into festivals, the book helps greatly as it also lets you know which festivals are happening and during which months. I found about the International Film Festival in Buenos Aires from Time Out as well as the South American Music Conference. Not only does the guidebook provide a practical, day-by-day guide to Buenos Aires, but it also provides information about the political, economic and social state and history of Buenos Aires (and all of Argentina) that may very well affect travelers: on thursdays you can find the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo demonstrating through Plaza de Mayo for human rights, the lack of monedas affecting public transportation, social and cultural constructions of the dialogue of porteñas, etc.

But, the greatest thing that the book has to offer, more-so than it's maps and reviews, is the guide it provides for minority travelers. Traveling as a minority, whether due to sexual orientation, race, gender or religion, is always a peculiar experience, and this book has provided a haven for a very much neglected group. It provided LGBT organizations and groups for support for queer people, as well as bars and clubs for those who miss hip hop music and good reggae vibes. My book is so worn out and I've given it to my good friend who's come to Buenos Aires to visit me and I'm not going to lie, it kind of hurt to part with it.