Buenos Aires Province

This isn't a post about the "real Argentina". I've always loathed when people try to divide countries and places, claiming one place as more authentic or representative of a culture or nation. Contrary to what some may say, I've never thought of Buenos Aires City as no more or less Argentine because it's large, cosmopolitan, and filled with immigrants. Less authentic, definitely not. More chaotic and loud, hell yes.

Sometimes when my boyfriend wants a break from the city, he returns home to the Buenos Aires province where he's from. More specifically, a small city called Olavarría.

As much as I love the capital, I like going to Olavarría because it's so different from the big city. It's quiet, life is slower, stuff is less expensive, we ride in cars and not public transit, the dogs are off leashes, and we never have to cook for ourselves.

In the city, the view from the apartment is this:




In the province, the view from the living room window at his parents' home is like this:



When we leave the apartment it's all this:



When we go for a walk in Olavarria, it's like this:





A Friday lunch at home in the Federal District:

(Sushi delivery!!!)

Dinner at his parents' house:

(Armadillo seasoned with chimichurri)

When I think about traveling back to Argentina, I get excited about being in Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province. After too much time in the city, I feel a little crazy and sometimes stressed out. After several days in the province, I get a little bored, kind of lazy, and start developing a big belly from eating so much home cooked food. I feel very fortunate to be able to experience all this with my boyfriend and his family. For anyone traveling to Buenos Aires City, I would recommend getting out if possible for a day or two, but don't believe that the experience would be any less real for not doing so. It's just different.