Travelling has been a part of my life since birth. I was raised in a family that appreciated and valued exposure to different places, environments and cultures. I still remember grandpapa telling me: “be always a traveller, never a tourist”. For these and other reasons, travelling came naturally and relocating an even easier task than what it would be for most people. I have lived in different cou
ntries, on different continents, and have always enjoyed the experience. Being an expat has become comfortable and second–nature for me. I have lived in Buenos Aires for several years, and have come to love, appreciate and value its lifestyle, beauty and energy. Paradoxically, I no longer feel like an expat but more like the prodigal son who had left and came back to find a loving father/mother, something that I have only felt once before. Buenos Aires has the flair, feeling and architectural beauty of a European city, yet the franticness and laisser-faire of Latin America. Perhaps it is because of this that the porteño, as those born in the city are called, has a unique style, a certain panache that differentiates them from other Latin-Americans. Men in particular, likely due to Buenos Aires’ strong Italian influences, considering most porteños have at least one, if not multiple grandparents born in this European country, tend to be quite daring and stylish, and have a certain sprezzatura about them. Men’s clothing stores display the latest international and local trends. Bright colors, modern shapes and sophisticated patterns are not difficult to find. During the years I have lived here, the city has changed immensely and more rapidly than I have ever experienced before. Porteños are quite open to and avid of new experiences which allows for this rapid change. The city offers a myriad of events, in all fields: cultural, gastronomic, dancing, clubs, bars, festivals, sports, etc. Given the more sophisticated sense of aesthetics, most of them are done quite tastefully yet with a twist. The city somewhat reminds me of another city in another decade, one about which I have recently began to think of as a golden age, which were the 1980’s in New York. Yes, there is room for further change, for improvement and development, and I am certain that in years to come this city will continue to surprise me. The idea of this blog is to share everything that I like about the city I call home, in the fields that most interest me. For it to be a window for others to discover its hidden treasures; and a way for me to say thank you, thank you for welcoming me, for all the good times, the love and care, the friends, local and foreign, and for everything that is yet to come!
