Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Citywide Pleasures
Whether you are a dedicated shopper or an
indifferent one, you will enjoy browsing along
Calle Florida, Avenida Santa Fe and the attrac-
tive shopping malls where the
porteños
spend
their pesos. It will take plenty of willpower not
to walk away with a stunning leather coat or
designer handbag. Those readers who love a
bargain will enjoy
Once
, a small shopping area
akin to New York's Orchard Street, where hag-
gling is an art form.
Sports enthusiasts can play squash, tennis or
golf, and, weather permitting, can even sail or
windsurf near town. Argentines are great
sportsmen and spectator sports take place at a
high level. Tennis matches, horseracing, polo
and “pato” matches, as well as soccer games are
always scheduled. Soccer, called
fútbol,
is a
national passion. Try to see a game while you're
here.
Pato (duck) is a
game resem-
bling basketball
on horseback!
“Noshing” is another part of a Buenos Aires
day. You'll be duly tempted by
empañadas
,
panchos
with “the works,” and especially the
scores of
confiterías
(coffee houses) displaying
delicious pastries, finger sandwiches, teas and
coffees. With dinner usually eaten after 9 pm,
you can indulge yourself in the afternoon and
still be hungry for dinner.
The city hosts special events each month, such
as international book fairs, art exhibits, polo
championships, Davis Cup tennis matches, and
scores of concerts and performances. Most are
