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Shopping in Palermo, BA

“Bring an empty suitcase!”
“Don’t pack any clothes!”

Before we left home,  I was warned to pack light by a couple of friends when they heard we were heading to Bueno Aires.  I didn’t listen and now I am sorry. Not only is there a lot of really interesting, unique clothing and accessories in BA, but the exchange rate is very favorable, too. In fact, we have been to distracted by shopping in the trendy neighborhood near our hotel, Palermo SOHO, that we have barely ventured outside the district to do any sightseeing yet.

You could plan a whole shopping trip to Buenos Aires.  Whether you have a week or just a day or two to shop Palermo make sure you check out these stores:

Papelera Palermo
Honduras 4945
(1414) Palermo
Tel/Fax: 4833-3081/3672

This is one of the best paper stores I have been to anywhere in the world. They have handmade books, portfolios, stationary, boxes, gifts. It is all unique, colorful one-of-a-kind and hand made. We walked out with half a dozen small hand made boxes covered in pretty paper, a handmade book and a bunch of amazing blank cards for about US $35.

Calma Chicha
Honduras 4909
(1414) Palermo
Tel: 0003-9237

This colorful housewares store is part IKEA and part fun leather goods store. They have brightly colored pillows, rugs, and bags and purses. We bought some great woven plastic placemats for out patio. And they had adorable plastic sippy cups for kids that were the shape of a cowboy boot (with spurs!) for about US $3. Too cute. This place is great for modern gifts with a subtle Argentine flair.

Kusisa
5112 El Salvador
(1414) Palermo
Tel: 4932-6961

Kusisa is a 2 month old women’s boutique on El Salvador where everything is made by the owner on site. The clothes are cheerful, have interesting form/detailing and are impeccably made. I bought a few dresses, some shirts, some skirts, one-of-a-kind panties and and a fabulous purple coat here all for about US $300. I have already noticed a number of people checking out my purple coat. I think I will be ordering more things from this store when I get back to Los Angeles. They also have a selection  children’s clothing. Off the beaten track but worth a visit.

NOTE: I’ll add more stores as the week goes on.

UPDATE:  We bought so much stuff that we needed to ship a big box of clothes and shoes back to Los Angeles. To send a box overseas you will need to get a cab to the main downtown post office in BA. They won’t let you send something over 2kg at the branch post office and there were no Pack n Ship type places that we could find. It wasn’t cheap. It cost about US $120 to ship a 30lb box home. But it was worth it to me as we still had a lot of cities to visit on our trip. The box arrived in LA about 2 weeks after we mailed it.

October 19, 2009 0
See more: on the road, South America

Bangalore: Romantic Vegetarian Dining in Palermo, Buenos Aires

So I took an online class on travel writing recently. I am still not sure if it is really my calling but here is one of my first assignments.
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In a city known for steaks it can be daunting for out-of-towners to find a great vegetarian meal. Located in cool Palermo Hollywood, Bangalore is a cozy  hideaway that delivers a delicious veggie meal in a romantic setting. The first floor is small lively pub with a British-Indian colonial theme, inhabited by a crowd of creative looking 20-50 something locals. Scoot past the crowd at the bar, and ask for a table upstairs on the candle-lit mezzanine, covered in rugs. It is the perfect place to get comfortable and sit side by side with your date. While not completely vegetarian, the menu hosts a number of delicious veggie options. Try the vegetarian thali for two people that includes five veggie dishes plus rice and naan. The pumpkin curry, fresh pineapple chutney and homemade sweet corn cakes are particularly memorable. If you are thirsty, order one of Bangalore’s special citrus flavored gin & tonics. Don’t be shocked when they deliver a whole pitcher of it to your table. English menus are available. Dinner for two, drinks, and dessert run approximately US $40.

Humbolt 1416 (esq. Niceto Vega)
Tel. 4779-2621

October 12, 2009 0
See more: on the road, South America