BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 12

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

IF YOU GO:

Gallerias Pacifico, Calle Florida and Avenida Cordoba, 54-11-5555-5110. http://www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar/_ingles/home.htm

Bice, Avenida Alicia M. Justo 192, 54-1-315-6216.
http://www.bice.ws/BICE.html (click Latin America, then Buenos Aires buttons)

Michelangelo, Calle Balcarce 433, 54-11-4342-7007. http://www.michelangelotango.com/home.html

Plaza Dorrego and San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo church both are near the corner of Avenida Defensa and Calle Humberto. No phone or website.

Recoleta Cemetery, Junin 1790, (no phone number and no official website, but check out privately-operated): http://www.recoletacemetery.com/?page_id=8

Café Biela, Avenida Quintana 600, 54-11-4804-0449. http://www.labiela.com/eng/menu.htm

Alvear Palace Hotel, Avenida Alvear 1891. 54-11-4808-2100.
http://www.alvearpalace.com/v2/home.php

Pizzeria Guerrin, Avenida Corrientes 1368, 54-11-4371-8141, No website.

Pizzeria Banchero, Avenida Corrientes 1300, 54-11-4382-4669, No website.

Hotel Ibis, Hipolito Yrigoyen 1592, 54-11-5300-5566. http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/3251/fiche_hotel.shtml

Café Tortoni, Avenida de Mayo 825, 54-11-4342-4328. http://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/index_ingles.html

Home hotel, Calle Honduras 5860, 51-11-4778-1008. http://www.homebuenosaires.com/home/

La Baita, CalleThames 1603, 54-11-4832-7234.
http://www.labaita-restaurante.com.ar

Buenos Aires’ official city website with extensive listings in English:
http://www.bue.gov.ar/home/index.php?&lang=en

Destino Argentina, upscale travel information in BA and beyond:
http://www.destinoargentina.info/#home_html

English-speaking tour guide Alan Patrick’s ramblingly informative website: http://www.buenostours.com/

Pro-accessibility foundation website (for advanced readers – 100% in Spanish):
http://www.rumbos.org.ar/

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 11

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Sadly, the public Subte (subway) transit system is not accessible at all. The bus system is a collection of private operators who are required by law to be accessible, but are slow to add low floor entrances or retractable ramps.

Because only a fraction of buses are completely accessible, your best bet is to catch a cab. There are thousands of them in the city and the key to safety is to have your hotel, restaurant or attraction call for an officially-licensed radio-taxi. Many drivers are more patient, professional and courteous than cabbies in the States.

The prices can’t be beat --you’d be hard pressed to spend more than the equivalent of $5 U.S. on any in town cab ride. If you get a centrally-located hotel such as Ibis, it is quite possible to see a good chunk of the historic BA without needing transit.

Curbcuts are getting better and better on the major streets and avenues. The endless cafes, wide sidewalks, thriving nightlife, gorgeous architecture and engaging pedestrian activity -- plus a strong power chair and proper pacing -- could equal a fabulous week of new discoveries every day in Buenos Aires.

TOMORROW: IF YOU GO RESOURCES

Steve Wright’s goal is to explore the culture and accessibility of ever Spanish-speaking nation within the next decade. His wife Heidi is an Americans with Disabilities Act expert who has used a wheelchair for 35 years.

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 10

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Buenos Aires’ urban core – from La Boca to Barrio Norte to Belgrano to everything in between -- is lined with parrillas (grill-centric restaurants) barbecuing up every part of a cow and then some.

To say Argentines love beef is like staying the Atlantic is filled with saltwater.

The intoxicating aroma of the charcoal-fired grill could convert the most avowed vegetarian into a carne-craving carnivore.

For the ice cream lover, Buenos Aires’ strong Italian heritage has generated gaggles of gourmet gelato shops.

Speaking of La Boca, there is no prettier picture in BA than beautiful pair of Tango dancers in front of colorfully painted corrugated metal buildings.

The barrio is worth about an hour’s visit to drink in all the pageantry and color palette.

The shops are hard to get into and tacky, the restaurants are more historical sizzle than steak and the entire neighborhood outside the small touristy strip is populated by unsavory characters.

TOMORROW: SUBWAY AND BUS LACK ACCESSIBILITY

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 7

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Plaza de Mayo is home to daily political protests (a tradition through democracy and dictatorship alike) and the famous Casa Rosada.

Casa Rosada is Argentina’s White House, except Rosada means pink – but the latest paint job looks more adobe baked brick in hue.

Whatever the politics and shade of pink, Casa Rosada will forever be known as the edifice where actress turned First Lady and spiritual leader of a nation Maria Eva Duarte de Peron stood on a balcony and enthralled the masses with her socialistic ideology.

TOMORROW: Avenida de Mayo

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 6

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright


Avenida Corrientes is a book lover’s, pizza gobbler’s, people-watcher’s paradise.

Indeed, 95 percent of the books are in Spanish, but it doesn’t take the vocabulary of Jorge Luis Borges to appreciate lavish architecture, art and photography books en espanol.

There are chains, independents, deep discount and specialty bookstores too numerous to count.

Almost all have zero step entrances and the majority have aisles just wide enough to maneuver a wheelchair through.

Once you’ve fed your literary mind, feed your panza (belly) with pizza overflowing with mozzarella, ham, sweet red peppers and green olives.

Buenos Aires legends Pizzeria Guerrin and Banchero are side-by-side on Corrientes, with Guerin’s perfect crust and by-the-slice options edging out the equally historic Banchero next door.

Watch the endless flow of well-dressed, well-toned Portenos (port city dwellers) on parade.

TOMORROW: Plaza de Mayo

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 5

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Recoleta, where the beautiful cemetery is one of the top attractions in all of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.

Arrive early for perfect morning light and to beat the cruise ship crowds that stampede past the gates in search of Eva Peron’s grave.

Evita is here – in one of the least pretty graves on one of the narrowest pathways.

Visit her at the Familia Duarte tomb if you must, but spend the bulk of your time wandering the wide, level pathways past architectural wonders.

Recoleta is the final resting place of the rich and it’s plain to see that each one tried to out do the other with fabulous sculpture, museum-worthy stained glass and intricately detailed Art Deco, Art Nouveau and classical architecture.

A simple ramp at the entrance provides easy access and virtually all of Recoleta is barrier-free.

When you exit the cemetery, make a beeline to La Biela café for its picturesque outdoor dining, its well-maintained accessible restroom and its bountiful breakfasts.

Refueled and relaxed, don’t forget to browse at the Rodeo Drive-caliber shops along Avenida Alvear.

Stop at the 5-star Alvear Palace Hotel for tea service in Belle Epoque-style elegance before departing exclusive Recoleta.

TOMORROW: Avenida Corrientes