messy days in buenos aires
okay, so like, i'm still processing. basically, i got this weird string of numbers - 1256525 and 1356724691 - and it just flooded my brain. like, an unexpected data dump. i’m not sure what it means, it's just…there. maybe it's a serial number from a lost guitar? or a code to unlock a secret portal to another dimension? (don't judge).
and the weather? i just checked and it's…a gentle watercolor wash of grey and a hint of sunshine peeking through. pretty mellow. the humidity’s clinging like a damp scarf, which honestly, is just perfect. it's like everything is softened and slowed down. it feels like the pressure’s around 1013, the humidity is 56%, and the ground level is a respectable 992 feet - which, for an old city like this, is surprisingly low.
i wandered around *Plaza de Mayo and honestly, it's a total sensory overload. the buildings are all so…historic. i’m picturing ghosts and revolutionaries and maybe a few stray pigeons judging my outfit choices. i’m rocking ripped jeans and a vintage band tee, which i hope is cool enough. i heard something a local warned me about: "never accept a free pastry from a stranger in the costanera district. trust me." i'm still trying to figure out if that's a legitimate fear or just a weird Buenos Aires thing.
gear list kinda thing (because i'm a sucker for lists):
*Walking shoes - essential. trust me.
*Reusable water bottle - seriously, the water here is amazing.
*Phrasebook - even if you don't speak Spanish fluently, it'll help.
*Portable charger - you'll be glued to your phone taking photos.
*Comfortable bag - for all the souvenirs (and questionable street food).
spent an afternoon at a little cafe in Palermo - the coffee was...interesting. think strong, bitter, and slightly burnt. not exactly my usual oat milk latte vibe, but hey, it's an experience! overheard a guy complaining about the price of empanadas at a table. "they're gouging me!" he yelled. i'm pretty sure he was exaggerating.
found a vintage shop tucked away down a side street, crammed with ridiculous clothes and fascinating trinkets. the owner, a woman named Elena, had the kindest eyes and seemed to know everything about the city. she told me a story about a tango dancer who disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a pair of worn-out shoes. dramatic, right?
reviews (as overheard gossip): someone told me that the La Boca neighborhood can be a bit…intense. apparently, you need to be careful. another person, a total local, warned me to avoid the street performers near the obelisco if i'm trying to avoid being hustled. i’m taking all of that to heart.
i’m planning on checking out the Recoleta Cemetery tomorrow. heard it’s super elaborate - like a city of the dead. slightly morbid, but also kinda cool. and maybe find a hidden courtyard with a really good coffee. TripAdvisor has a decent list of things to do. if you get bored, Montevideo* is just a short trip away. Yelp might have some gems on food. and Live Oxygen's guide seems pretty comprehensive.
i think this trip is going to be…something. i’m just gonna embrace the chaos and see where the numbers - and the city - take me. and maybe avoid those free pastries.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-real-cost-ofutilities-and-bills-in-riyadh-dont-be-fooled-by-the-desert-magic
- https://topiclo.com/post/fukuoka-for-digital-nomads-where-matchastained-laptops-meet-5am-ramen-runs
- https://topiclo.com/post/vienna-cold-coffee-questionable-schnitzel-a-dispatch
- https://topiclo.com/post/kyoto-chaos-1862627-1392003149-a-whirlwind
- https://topiclo.com/post/so-you-wanna-bring-your-dog-to-kinshasa-a-street-artists-messy-guide