Traditional handicrafts
If you're looking for South American handicrafts, Buenos Aires is certainly not the city to put at the top of your itinerary. While open-air markets abound, often displaying and selling beautiful antiques, handicrafts are mainly produced in the interior of the country. The Pampas, north-western regions and Patagonia offer a wealth of authentic handicrafts, including many folkloric objects, colorful garments and sculptures. Outside the capital, at the Feria de Mataderos ( gaucho market in the south-west of the city) or in San Antonio de Areco, for example, you can pick up the perfect gaucho outfit: boleadoras (a kind of lasso), knives, goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares, elaborate matés, clothing(bombachas de campo, belts, berets, etc.). The must-have is certainly a gaucho knife, with an armadillo shell handle from the village of San Antonio de Areco. And the land of the gauchos is famous for its leather, one of the finest in the world: inexpensive and of the highest quality, Argentine leather is worked with unique expertise. Jackets, belts, bags, shoes - leather comes in all shapes and sizes, but watch out for imitations. Look for labels confirming the type of material used, check the linings and, above all, use your nose: the smell of real leather is easily identifiable! For the best bargains, stay away from the capital. If you head for Salta, for example, you'll find a much wider choice and lower prices. Handicrafts here are more colorful and similar to those of the Andean countries. In the north-west of the country, a dried cactus pot or salt shaker, found in the quebradas, is one of the flagship handicrafts to be found just about everywhere. A Purmamarca hanging is very typical of Andean villages: place it on the arm of an armchair or hang it on a wall to decorate an entire room! Still in the region, in Salinas Grandes, at an altitude of 4,000 m, sculptors carve magnificent little sculptures in the shape of cacti or llamas from blocks of salt: a unique souvenir that's not too bulky! At the Aripuca in Puerto Iguazú, in the northeast, you'll find wooden jewelry made by the Guarani Amerindians. Finally, the emblematic poncho can be found just about everywhere, but beware: each region has its own poncho! In Salta, the poncho is dark red, adorned with bangs, while in the province of Santa Cruz, it's more like a tunic, covering part of the legs and all the arms. Ponchos, ruanas and other chamantos combine folklore and fashion, and can be found in llama, alpaca or even vicuña wool, ranging from the kitschiest to the most refined, with motifs as varied as the cuts and materials. You can also be tempted by embroidered scarves or multicolored shoes with a distinctly ethnic style. Cultural heritages and unique pieces, these are often story-telling objects that will help you to understand the essence of Argentina even better, and what better way to support the local economy these days? Avoid " Made in China " manufactured goods, and instead visit small village markets and artisan stores.
Buenos Aires, shopping destination
In addition to soccer, shopping can be a real national sport: in August 2005, the city of Buenos Aires was proclaimed the first Unesco City of Design: a novelty spurred on by the recognized energy and capacity for innovation in this contemporary sector. With this highly symbolic gesture, Unesco recognizes one of the strongest and most productive design industries on the South American continent, particularly in the fields of fashion and design. The lively Palermo district, at the cutting edge of the hype, is a natural breeding ground in this field. Dedicated boutiques abound, with a number of small fashion accessory designers, inspired interior decorators, chic clothing boutiques... Some of the capital's very high-end boutiques specialize in luxury leather goods. For those with a thirst for shopping, you can choose between modern shopping malls, open-air shopping or more classic ferias. For an American-style shopping spree, head for the capital's behemoths: you can linger in the 174 boutiques of the Abasto, former Art Deco halls converted into a shopping mall, or pass by the Galerias Pacifico, listed as a historic monument thanks to its architecture and artistic frescoes created as part of a collective project. A host of fashion boutiques can also be found in the Recoleta Mall, one of the capital's largest shopping centers, inaugurated in 2011. If you prefer trendy boutiques, head for the streets of Palermo Soho (Avenida Córdoba or Avenida Santa Fe), where you'll find stores with unique and original products. For more authenticity and impromptu shopping, take a stroll through the Mercado de las Pulgas flea market, where you can pick up a number of little treasures, or head for the Feria del Mercado de las Luces, where you'll find a wide variety of antiques. Buenos Aires is also synonymous with nostalgia for a glorious tango past. In San Telmo, music lovers will easily find a vinyl or CD by Carlos Gardel, the great figure of Argentine tango. Or opt for a record by Narcotango or Tanghetto, electro-tango groups in the same vein as Gotan Project. Lovers of literature will want to pick up a comic by Quino, the world-renowned creator of Mafalda, the anti-conformist little girl who remains a symbol of the struggle against injustice and inequality. San Telmo is also renowned for its feria, where you'll find all kinds of antiques and handicrafts, such as these small wooden panels painted in the art of fileteado porteño (a technique included on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015). And, of course, football fans will be able to snap up a Boca Juniors, River Plate or Albiceleste jersey. It's up to you to choose the player and the number you want to wear, but as a good Puerto Rican, we'll always recommend Maradona's number 10 on the back! You'll be spoilt for choice in Buenos Aires' La Boca district.
Gourmet Flavours
It's impossible not to be tempted by the flavors of Argentina! Although its gastronomy is often summed up in parrilla, pizza and empanadas, the country has other surprises in store for your taste buds. So why not pack a few things in your suitcases to continue the culinary adventure back home? Although not for every palate, mate has won over a large number of travellers, who swap their tea for a calabash and a bombilla (metal mate straw). A symbol of conviviality, mate is best enjoyed and shared with others. You'll find mate absolutely everywhere, even in supermarkets: it's just as good as anywhere else, and just as tasty. Carnivores can also stock up on supplies to continue enjoying the tenderness of Argentine meat at home. There is, however, one condition to be met: make sure you buy your meat vacuum-packed and respect the cold chain. If you like more noble products like wine, then you won't be able to escape Argentina's grands crus. In a country where good meat is a must, it's not hard to find the right wine to go with it: the most prized, with their more distinctive tastes, are wines made exclusively (or almost exclusively) from a single grape variety, known as varietals. For reds, the most common are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Barbera follow. Malbec is Argentina's specific and emblematic grape variety, and some good examples are Cavas Weinart's malbec, Viniterra's malbec, Bodega La Rural's rutini malbec, and Fabre Montmayou's malbec. Finca Catena Zapata's 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of Argentina's finest wines, and one of its most expensive. More economical are Finca Flichman cabernet-sauvignon also from Finca Catena Zapata, Reserva Privada from Navarro Correas, cabernet-sauvignon from Fabre Montmayou, cabernet-sauvignon from Cavas Weinart, and cabernet-sauvignon from Michel Torino. White wine enthusiasts can pick up a bottle of Cafayate torrontés - there's even a little store in town that sells ice creams made with this flavor - and a Malbec from the Mendoza region, for red wine lovers. As for sweet treats, don't forget to bring back some dulce de leche. This culinary speciality, a kind of milk jam, won't gather dust in the cupboard and goes just as well with pancakes as it does with toast. The unmissable Bariloche chocolate, the best in the country, is just as tempting as the alfajores, pastries that often serve as dessert. Finally, in Patagonia, several delicatessens prepare special packs that are easy to slip into your suitcase: a trio of trout, wild boar and venison pâtés, southern spices ( merkén is a must to include in your cooking!), honey, calafate jams, rose hip tea... to be enjoyed without moderation!
