Archives for July 2015

Before coming to Buenos Aires I had never thought about going to a polo match.  It did not sound appealing, watching people trot around on horses and occasionally hitting a ball with a mallet.  I envisioned a lot of rich people all up on their high horses casually prancing about while spectators discussed matters of importance.  Even though I was excited to see my predictions come true, my perceptions were drastically different from reality.  The game, the crowds, and the overall environment were different from the images I had formulated in nearly every facet.

First off, polo is an intense game.  Within the first ten minutes there was a heated squabble between two players and a woman got hit by an aberrant pass that sent the ball into the stands.  Furthermore, the players don’t ‘trot’ around, they are constantly at a gallop or making rapid turns and miraculously staying atop their horses. Coming from a family with a few horses and a decent knowledge of how to ride, seeing what these players were doing was incredible. Just riding like them takes an inordinate amount of skill and comfort on a large rapidly moving animal.  Even more impressive is the fact that while they are riding around like cowboys fleeing a gun fight, they are also hitting a tiny ball with a long skinny mallet.  The amount of balance and hand-eye coordination that they have to posses is supernatural.

Secondly, the event was not as bourgeois as I had envisioned.  Even though the sport is known for being high class, the crowds seemed like normal people enjoying their Sunday afternoon.  There was not an abundance of over sized hats, white pants, and classic polo shirts.  I didn’t overhear people talking about what families they belonged to and how annoying social mobility was.  People were taking in the sun and occasionally applauding a good play in a relaxed environment.  Note: Although the crowd was not as pretentious as they could have been, the game is noticeably a sport for wealthier people since they are the only people that have the time and the resources to ride around with friends and hit a ball on a large grass field.

Finally, the game was way more complex than I had thought.  There are a lot of mysterious rules and strategies in Polo.  Trying to figure out why the referee blew his whistle and what was happening next was difficult.  Apparently the way that the players can ride is determined by the direction the ball is going and the position of the other riders. If they cut another player off, or obstruct the rider in a certain manner, it is considered a foul and the play is stopped. Generally I was in the dark but it was still fun to watch.  If you are as new to the game of polo as I was, looking up the rules before you go would help to clarify some of the more subtle rules and tactics that the players abide by.

I definitely recommend checking out a game if there is one while you’re here.  The game I went to was a pretty high profile game and still only cost about 7 USD. Bring a hat and shades because you will be in the sun for a while.  The games are long so if you show up late and with a few beers in the system it probably won’t be the worst decision that you’ve made…

Happy Horsing Around

Alex

If you want to learn more about Polo visit our Spanish School in Buenos Aires

Buying fruits and vegetables is a relatively easy process in Buenos Aires. On almost every block there is a verdurería (vegetable stand) or supermercado (big chain grocery store) that has all your standard fruits and veggies. As is the trend elsewhere, finding vegetables from a locally grown and organic source has gained popularity here in Buenos Aires too. In some places, such as the United States, it is relatively easy to find organically and locally grown vegetables; in Buenos Aires, however, it is still a little bit of a treasure hunt. Here are some markets, ferias, and farmers markets where you can find fresh, locally grown, pesticide-free vegetables. As a disclaimer, if you want to be sure about what you are buying, talk to the farmer—ask if their products are grown organically—they’ll be glad to chat with you (and a great way to practice your Spanish!).

Popular health/organic food markets to check out in Buenos Aires:

Mercado de Economia Solidaria Bonpland

El Mercado Bonpland is a community-run organization and you can feel it as soon as you walk through the doors. The stands are filled with farmers selling organic vegetables and meat, and others who are selling artisanal products such as beer, jams, herbs, pastas, fiambres (cheese, salami, cured meat, olives, bread) and much more. (Bonpland 1660, Palermo)

Buenos Aires Market

Started just a few years ago, Buenos Aires Market not only has grown popularity among the locals but also in size and has become the biggest farmers/organic/healthy food market in Buenos Aires. It is held on Saturday and Sunday, twice a month, March through November. Location changes monthly so you have to check their website at www.buenosairesmarket.com for the latest location information. There are food stands featuring goodies from all over the world, food products, wine, beer and desserts, as well as organic fruits and vegetables, and most of all, food trucks/stands from local restaurants. You will also find extensive vegetarian and vegan options, which provide a refreshing change from the normal Argentine cuisine.

El Galpón Mercado

A little off the tourist path is the El Galpón market in the neighborhood Chacarita. They pride themselves on selling products without agrotoxicos (pesticides), including fruit, vegetables, and other locally produced food products. This is also where you can find a lady from whom you can custom order your peanut butter with no additives (as per a friend of ours has recommended). (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9:00 – 18:99, Avenida Lacroze 4171, Chacarita)

Finally, do not forget to check out your local dietética (health food store), such as New Garden, which has several locations (there’s one right around the corner from the school. They have lots of choices in grains, dried fruits, granola/cereal mixes sold by weight). As Argentines are getting more health-conscious in between their regular steak and red wine meals, more established dietéticas are popping up in almost every neighborhood not only in the trendy Palermo. Stroll into one and you will probably find an impressive selection of fruits, nuts, granola mixes, gluten-free, vegan and whole wheat products, as well as natural/herbal remedy for health and skincare.

Arielle

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