Hello everyone..... I'm back!!!!!

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Send me your photos again! We have used up all of our photo ideas here in the office and are wanting your contributions once again. Same old system.... send them to me at buenosairesclubhouse@saexplorers.org with a short description of where and what it is, along with your name and any other little details you want to share.

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On returning I was pleased to see the clubhouse looking particularly good with all our photos from across South and Central America on the walls and can report that the team are just getting better and better. Events calendar is looking great (check out this week's stuff below) and prospects for future sources of information from us to you are well under way.

Be prepared to witness a very active SAE BA over the next few months!
Tracey

SPANISH CONVERSATION CLASS* (EVERY) Wednesday.
Next lesson: Wednesday 19th August at 3:30pm @ the clubhouse.
Learn how to string your words together! Join us every Wednesday for an informal conversation class with a teacher from ELE BAIRES. RSVP encouraged.
FREE for members and $8 pesos for non-members.
Please RSVP by sending an email at BAevents@saexplorers.org and reserve yourself a place.

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Alfajor Cooking Class
Tuesday 18th August 3pm at the Hostal Clan, Aldolfo Alsina 912
We are going to be running our very own Alfajor cooking class this week. I am sure you will agree that if you're spending time in Argentina, the knowledge of how to make an alfajor will well and truly submerge you into the culture of BA's lifestyle. However, it is essential that you pay in advance if you want to come. Stop by the office to close the deal! He he!
10 pesos for members and 15 pesos for non-members
Please RSVP by sending an email at BAevents@saexplorers.org and reserve yourself a place.

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FREE Truco Afternoon (Argentine Card Game)
Wednesday 19th August @ 4.30pm in The Clubhouse (straight after conversation class)
Do you know how to play the Argentine card game called 'Truco'? It's a very cool game, full of subtle looks and signals between the different players that makes for an entertaining afternoon. Amauta Spanish School are sending some of their experienced representatives to the BA Clubhouse to teach you all. It's going to be a fun afternoon - delivered in Spanish, so more practice for you (with us on hand to translate as always) - and the best thing is that we've organised this activity to run directly after the Spanish conversation class on Wednesday. That means that you don't have to find time to come to the Clubhouse on another day and your Spanish will be nicely oiled to participate in the game too. How can you resist?!
Please RSVP by sending an email at BAevents@saexplorers.org and reserve yourself a place.

SAE FEATURED DISCOUNTERS!
1. Hostel Tango Suites
Hostel Tango Suites captures exactly what San Telmo is all about. Nestled in the heart of this historic Buenos Aires neighborhood, Hostel Tango offers rooms ranging from 2 beds to shared dormitories in a classic, colonial style building. Guests can also enjoy a piece of Argentine culture with tango and Spanish lessons, and "asados" (BBQs) on Fridays. Other services include breakfast, a fully equipped kitchen, Internet and WI-FI, and a TV room. SAE Members- remember to present your membership card at Hostel Tango Suites to receive a 10% discount off of lodging!
Address: Chacabuco 747, San Telmo, Buenos Aires
Tel: (+54 11) 4300-2420 or 4300-6026
www.hosteltangoargentina.com.ar
info@hosteltangoargentina.com

2. Experiencia Buenos Aires
Experiencia Buenos Aires is a Spanish school that not only allows students to learn the language but also experience it through the integration of real-life and cultural activities that take place outside of the classroom. Students receive personalized lessons as the school tailors its programs to the student's needs through individual and small group courses and flexible scheduling. strong>SAE members receive a 10% off of Experiencia Buenos Aires' dynamic Spanish courses and can participate in the school's 2-hour conversation classes for $20 pesos per session.
Contact the school's friendly staff at tel. (+54 11) 4856 7687
info@experienciaba.com.ar
www.experienciaba.com.ar
Cabildo 936, Buenos Aires.

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ADVERTISING WITH SAE!!!!
We are at present focusing a lot on advertising. This is because we have a new publication coming out (a guide book that we will be selling here in the Clubhouse) which will be full of tourist and expat advice that can’t be found in other guide books, because we’re writing it! It is first-hand knowledge, written by real expats who live here in BA and is therefore the most up-to-date information that can be found. If you want to advertise with us, making yourself known to expats and tourists who pass through our office or who live in BA, contact our Marketing Manager, Jessica Dufresne at baadvertising@saexplorers.org

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INTERN WITH US!
Over the past few months we’ve had some fantastic interns – Caroline Major (Brazil expert from London), Amelia Edwards (Events Manager from Philadelphia), Jessica Dufresne (Marketing Wizz Kid from Michigan) and the newest Caroline Stephenson from Wales, who seems to be dipping into everything that needs doing right now. We are a fantastic bunch and it’s a pleasure coming to the office every day. So, if you want some SAE experience and you feel you’ve got something to offer, get in touch with us at baclub@saexplorers.org

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Storing Luggage at The Clubhouse
Please remember that if you want to store or pick-up luggage you need to make an appointment with us beforehand via email. This is because we store all luggage at a different location and we will need to organise a time to meet. Email all luggage correspondence to baclub@saexplorers.org

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Poke us, befriend us.
Please visit our facebook page because it includes lots of stuff about events, contact details (that are up-to-date!) and more. Find us online at

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WE HAVE TELEPHONE CONNECTION!
Finally, the powers that be here in BA have managed to get around to connecting our telephone line and so you can now call us from anywhere the city on 5275 0137 (+54 11 and then the number if you're calling from outside Argentina or if you're using skype to call us). Also, if you need to make a local call to any landline here in the city you can do so from our office for FREE.

Live Jazz @ Thelonious, Salguero 1884 in Palermo
Friday 21st August @ 9.30pm and 12.30pm
One of my favourite haunts, this is a live jazz bar that serves great cocktails, good pizza and excellent live jazz. Always book ahead as they fill up quick and have a limited capacity. You’ll love the atmosphere and Friday night is a great night to go.
Cost: 20 pesos (approx.)
www.thelonious.com.ar

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Art lessons, live poetry and tango lessons @ Raval, Bolivar 747 in San Telmo
Various days and times
This is a fantastic little spot in the heart of San Telmo and featured as one of our gallery stops a couple of months ago too. Even though it does stay open very late (normally closed by midnight) it’s a lovely little spot to begin your evening’s plans. Send an email or call for more info (they don’t have a website and their blog is not up-to-date).
raval08001@gmail.com
4362 0151

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Live Music and Top Notch Dining @ Clasica y Moderna, Callao 892
Various days and times
If you’re looking for something special and to be fed whilst you’re at it, head to Clasica Y Moderna. It’s beautiful, with a specialised little bookshop inside too. A true delight.

San Telmo ‘Street Food’
O.k., so this is obviously not a place where you can GO in order to have something to eat or drink and therefore is technically not a Food Spot, but the street food available in San Telmo (and I am of course referring to the food available to buy on Sundays when the area is at its busiest) really deserves a few moments reference.

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Firstly, what can you buy? The answer is.... a whole host of things and therefore let me lead you through them all equally in turn. There are the typical options of medialunas and coffee on offer, all for the same regular prices that you’d expect to pay anywhere else in the city. However, there’s also a young guy who sets himself up on the corner of Defensa and Chile and he sells some other delights too.

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For 3 pesos, you can buy a very large ‘pan casero’ that really will fill you up for a good three or four hours and it’s cooked to perfection. He also sells chocolate cake and apple cake for 2.50 pesos each. Sometimes, facturas really just aren’t going to cut it.... what you want is something heavy, large and full of fat. His cakes are what you need.

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Failing that, you can find cheap caramelised almonds and peanuts, candy floss / cotton candy (copas de azucar in Spanish) and the all important empanada. However, don't pay more than 3 pesos for your empanada. There's a tendency to prey on the tourist in San Telmo on Sunday. You have been warned.

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However, having said all that, by far the best street snack in San Telmo that you simply have to try is what’s known as ‘Pan Relleno.’ Buy one with a friend. You will not be able to eat a whole one. They are quite simply huge beyond belief and cost 8 pesos from a guy wearing a chef’s hat on Defensa. A pan relleno is bread filled with a tasty centre. Choices range from cheese and ham, cheese and onion, vegetables, meat and more.

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Unfortunately my camera died on me and I couldn’t get a snap of the relleno beast, but they are at least twice the size of the 3 peso pan casero featured above and they are more filling than they are bread, which is excellent. Sometimes with snacks like these, it’s all stodge and nothing else, but not in this case. There’s no expense spared on the fillings and they are always served hot, the chef’s hat adorned street vendor constantly careful to keep all his produce hidden from view and ‘calentita’ (toasty warm) under a large tea towel (dish cloth to my North American buddies...... so much translation is needed here!!!! He he!

Don't forget to RATE me!......see Editor's Note.

San Telmo Sunday Market
I decided that I’d keep going with the San Telmo theme this week, as there is a lot to see and do in San Telmo. There’s a lot of art galleries for a start, loads of pubs and restaurants to relax in and a number of beautiful boutiques to wander around in.

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However, I’m going to keep this theme running as deep as possible and therefore concentrate my efforts solely on the delights of San Telmo on a Sunday. Plaza Dorrego’s market which is advertised in all major guide books and lots of local publications here in BA too may be well known, but that doesn’t stop it from being a place of interest worth visiting. I could write about the various things of interest in San Telmo on a Sunday for hours, but I’ll limit myself to recounting a recent Sunday experience I had in that part of town.

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Firstly, the 29 (if you’re coming from the Microcenter or Palermo) will drop you right off on Bolivar as close to the market as you could hope to get. Speaking from a female point of view, the various sunglasses, gloves and hand bags are by far the most tempting of items on offer. There are so many to choose from, all unique in look and feel – the beauty of shopping at an antiques fair.

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However, a little way further down Defensa, back towards the Microcenter, takes you to the indoor market, where more antiques are sold (including large items of furniture, doors and tiling) alongside fruit, veg and nuts galore. In my opinion, the stock on offer in this indoor market is better than that available in Plaza Dorrego for two reasons. There’s more choice (with each stall being a little more specialised; offering certain lines of stock in particular) and there are more bargains to be had; it’s much more affordable.

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Walking even further down Defensa 877, you’ll find another indoor market (Galeria de las Antiguedades). This time, the stock is very expensive and the market is full of stall holders that are incredibly knowledgeable about their trade. However, even if you can’t afford the loftier prices of this part of town, it’s worth going in to take a little break. Inside is a tiny café: it’s very simple and will only serve you for your average medialuna, empanada and coffee, but it’s comfortable and they have toilets too. We need to think about these things!

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Street performers are everywhere from morning until the sun goes down and even though some of the Caribbean drum beats played put a spring into my step, my favourite performers are a classical group, composed of string instruments and a piano. Yes, somehow they make the effort to get a real life piano out onto the cobbled streets to entertain the masses for hours on end. I could listen to these performers all day – a cut above the rest in my opinion – and recommend that you give them an ear at some point. (Not literally of course! I was thinking more of the ‘Lend me your ears’ line from Caesar in Shakespeare’s classic drama).

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Finally, as the night closes in and the air becomes a little more wintery, stop off in Bar Seddon (Chile and Defensa) for a coffee, glass of wine, a picada or a full-blown meal should you be that hungry. The bar is warm, inviting and open until 2am. If you’re on your hols (that’s ‘vacation’ for those Americans north of Mexico) and you’ve nothing to do on Monday morning, there really is no reason to return home any earlier than that.

Don't forget to RATE me!......see Editor's Note.

Argentine Satire at its best with Peter Capusotto
Recently, I was invited to a friend's house in La Boca to sup on Locro, red wine and mate in true Argentine fashion and as the evening progressed, I was introduced to a very interesting entertainment character called Peter Capusotto.

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He used to have a television spot on Argentine TV, but has since moved only to radio transmission and makes a great deal of use of Youtube. His satirical wit of Argentine culture, customs, beliefs and what-not had my Argentine friends in stitches, giggling uncontrollably underneath stifled closed lips and he reminded me very much of the efforts of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook when they worked together to produce the double-act 'Derek and Clive.'

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Even though a lot of the humour unfortunately passed me by, still being very new to the country, its politics, its history and customs, there were moments of some of the Youtube videos (Hasta Cuando and Los consejos del abuelo mierda) that did make me laugh, if only because of this performers natural ability towards comic timing and joke-telling. However, I was really appreciative of being introduced to such a character and have links to him under the 'favourites' section of my own youtube channel www.youtube.com/thetraceychandler for all of you who are interested in having a look.

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Naturally everything is in Spanish and you will need to have a fairly high Spanish level to be able to understand, let alone access the humour, but – as this newsletter always aims to go that little bit further than the likes of Lonely Planet, etc. - I thought I'd share the knowledge with you. The humour is dry, satirical, uses a lot of word-play and reflects the behaviour of the average Argentine back at themselves, which is of course (in the style of Oscar Wilde in the Victorian age) the main attraction for Porteños.

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Don't forget to RATE me!......see Editor's Note.

One for the girls!
Sex and the City is played on Canal 9 (Argentine TV) every Saturday @ midnight. When you’ve decided to stay in out of the cold (even though those cold nights will soon be disappearing fast) and you have nothing to do….. maybe some good old HBO magic will do the trick.

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Granted, it’s in Spanish and so perhaps not quite the same, but the dubbed voices are quite good. Samantha’s dubber particularly manages to capture her dry, sultry tone quite well. The ‘Carrie Bradshaw thoughts’ as she’s typing on her netbook throughout each episode don’t work quite so well, but I’ve found that this half an hour showing is enough to fill me with the right amount of working girl juices that I need to keep on trucking each week.

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So, you have the day and the hour. All you need now are the potato chips and the rest of the girls and you’ve got yourself a top-notch female rejuvenating session.

Enjoy!

Palabras, Palabras!
Boliche is the Argentine word for a ‘club’ or a ‘disco’ for all you retro kids out there!

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LAST WEEK’S QUESTION.......What is ‘Telefe’? Telefe is a national Argentine television channel based in Buenos Aires and distributed across the entire country. Follow this link to hear the sounds of the channel’s signature tune that I am never going to forget for the rest of my life!

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THIS WEEK’S QUESTION.......Who is ‘Anthony Flags’?

Answers to: buenosairesclubhouse@saexplorers.org

Next week, I'll publish the answer....Ooooo!

Remember that for the next few weeks, the SAE girly team are sharing their photo albums with you. Last week, Amelia Edwards shared a sunset beauty near Punta del Este. This week, SAE’s BA Volunteer Intern, Caroline Stephenson is sharing an absolutely breath-taking view over El Lago Huapi in Bariloche, Argentina, taken from the Cerro Campanario lookout. Wow!

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To enter our weekly competition, simply send in your pics to my email address buenosairesclubhouse@saexplorers.org (please put PHOTO COMPETITION in the subject heading) and be sure to include a little info about the photo along with your details so that we can give you credit.

Interested in putting a classified ad in this e-newsletter? Our e-newsletter goes out to over 2500 people weekly, in and around Buenos Aires. Contact SAE’s Jessica from the BA Clubhouse at baadvertising@saexplorers.org for more information.

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Dental Argentina: FREE dental check-up for SAE members.
Cosmetic dentistry, cleaning, bleaching, emergency care and more... English spoken! Recommended by the Calgary Herald.
Call 4828-0821 // Toll Free from the USA or Canada 1-800-481-5427
Located at Uruguay 292 9º B, Buenos Aires
www.dental-argentina.com
info@dental-argentina.com.ar
Please put *SAE DISCOUNT* in the subject heading of the email.

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Anthropologic Study
My name is Dr. Judith Freidenberg and I am an Argentine-American anthropologist currently researching the subject of U.S. expats in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Beijing (China) and Tokyo (Japan). I am writing to you in search of volunteers to participate in my research, which aims to understand the modern phenomena of the expatriate. If you are willing to participate please e- mail me at jfreiden@anth.umd.edu and I will send you a set of questions.
See the following blog for more information: www.usnationalsabroad.blogspot.com

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DELE exams in Argentina
Elebaires is guiding our students to reach an international certification of Spanish.
ELEBAIRES offers you a specific course to prepare this exam, with a successful guarantee because we practice with past exams and full explanations about the way of solving the exam.
Course dates at Elebaires: 20th July to 19th August
Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm (20 hs)
Price: 325 USD
DELE Exams date: 21st August
Book your place: 43 83 77 06 info@elebaires.com
Ask for Beginner DELE Exams!

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Looking for a place to stay????
SMALL BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH IN LARGE, SUNNY PALERMO-RECOLETA APARTMENT. FULLY FURNISHED, WIFI, WASHING MACHINE, CABLE.
AR$1400 PER MONTH
CALL REBECCA 15-6416-2219 or email me @ rhinely@gmail.com

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Learn Spanish with AMAUTA SPANISH SCHOOL
Finally in Buenos Aires! AMAUTA brought over 12 years of experience in Spanish Language and cultural study from Peru to Argentina. Exacting standards and engaging teachers put AMAUTA at the top of its class. Beautiful location with garden and terrace. Amazing discounts for the opening of the new locations ánd, we give away THREE ONE WEEK SPANISH COURSES per week, totally for free! Write now and you might be the lucky one. Till June 30th only. Also special discounts at our Cusco location.

www.amautaspanish.com, info@amautaspanish.com, www.spanishschoolsblog.com

or visit us: www.facebook.com/people/Amauta-Spanish/1500927779?sid=0&ref=search

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FOR SALE
The SAE shop has expanded! Guide books from $15 pesos to $80 pesos (Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring $60 pesos), Hiking Maps of Patagonia and road maps of Buenos Aires are now available. Come by to see more, or email us: baclub@saexplorers.org

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EXPAT INFO
www.livinginargentina.com is an online publication for expatriates in Argentina. It is written in English, Spanish and French. It covers almost everything that an expat might need to know and offers some interesting articles to read at the same time. Check it out!

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LANGUAGE CLASSES
Learn Spanish with Elebaires!!!
We offer a variety of intensive Spanish courses for all levels in both private and group classes! All Elebaires teachers are university accredited and will do everything they can to help you meet your linguistic goals. Contact us via email at info@elebaires.com.ar or visit our website: http://www.elebaires.com.ar.

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TOURISM
BA: Mallory Outdoors - Located in Palermo, Mallory offers a plethora of camping and ski equipment as well as custom knives and outdoor clothing. Stop in and browse the selection and receive a 10% discount on any purchase with your SAE member card. English and Spanish spoken.
Open Monday-Friday 10:30-21 and Saturdays from 9-15