Weekend Living in Buenos Aires - Porteño Style

During the week, Buenos Aires is a crowded, traffic-filled metropolis.  Pedestrians jostle for space on cobbled sidewalks and everyone's in a hurry to get somewhere.  So it's no surprise that after a hectic workweek and a Saturday of all-night dancing, the Porteños need to unwind.    

In a city where crossing the street becomes a high-risk sport, there is little space dedicated to the cultivation of outdoor activities.  But on Sundays, the cyclists, runners and roller-bladers come out in force to Parque 3 de Febrero in Palermo Viejo neighborhood.  To truly experience the essence of Argentines at play, an afternoon in the park cannot be missed.      

After leisurely waking up sometime in the afternoon (because, of course, like a true Argentine you danced the night and morning away), grab some friends and head to an afternoon of fun and games, Porteño-style.     Parque 3 de Febrero is packed with activities, despite its relatively small size.  A mile-long promenade circles a charming lake, rose gardens, and grassy lawns.  More grass spaces border the promenade, complete with picnicking families and entwined couples.      

Runners clog the promenade, so a brisk run will in reality become a slow jog, perfect for people-watching.  Booths along the avenue rent roller blades for A$10 for the hour, with optional knee and wrist guards.  Protective gear is highly recommended since the route is crowded with children, strollers, soccer balls, and more roller-bladers (including unpredictable beginners).  Roller hockey games occupy one side of the lake and aerobic dance classes are provided free of charge in another corner of the park.    

Ping-pong tables exist alongside pick-up soccer games and cyclists maneuver between the promenading throngs.  The vivid blues and reds of paddle boats dot the lake while spectators watch from the white lattice bridge that offers access to the rose gardens.  Tai chi practitioners can be seen bending slowly in the shade, bronzed sunbathers lounge in swimsuits, and muscle-bound guys get more buff on pull-up bars.    

It's a chaotic scene, and the merry-go-round of the promenading Porteños never ends.  If you can break out of the circle, stop for a chorizo sandwich and cold agua sin gas to pause and people watch.  You're in the perfect place for a dazzling display of happy families, kissing lovers, sweating exercisers, fun-loving teenagers, and all variety of Porteños and foreigners imaginable.

This article was submitted by Hannah Shanks, a journalist living in Buenos Aires. To find out more about the lifestyle's of Porteños, check out On The Road Travel's Guide to Argentina.