3241  safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 22:12:49 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

The busiest time of the year for tourism in Buenos Aires has arrived. Many
are coming for the annual city festival that begins February 25 and for
other weeks during March. After living six years in Buenos Aires, I've
heard the experiences locals and tourists. Here are some travelers' tips I
want to pass along to anyone coming to Buenos Aires.

Today, a friend told me that her boss went to the bank to withdraw a
considerable amount of money. He was approached by two men at gunpoint and
told to turn over the money. This took place four blocks from the place of
business during the daytime. I'm sorry to say that theft has become common
in the city due to economic difficulties and high unemployment. It is more
important than ever for tourists to take certain precautions when walking
around the city, day and night. You can never let down your guard and must
learn simple stragegies to avoid unpleasant situations.

Friends from Chicago were here last week. We went to a milonga together
where I noticed that two of the women were wearing their diamond wedding
rings. I suggested they turn the rings so that the diamonds were on the
palm side and to leave them in the hotel for the remainder of their visit.
Wearing expensive jewelry is inviting theft. Miguel Angel Zotto has a gold
Rolex watch, but he doesn't wear it to a milonga. Leave your expensive
jewelry at home. The only ones who you will impress are those who are eager
to relieve you of your valuables. Clean out your wallet. You won't be
needing all those credit cards; one debit card for withdrawing cash will be
sufficient.

Collect your baggage at the airport promptly and keep it in your sight at
all times. Do not accept a ride to the city with anyone who approaches you
at the airport. Arrange for transportation to the city with Manuel Tienda
Leon (shuttle bus downtown), Remise agencies (hired cars), or a Taxi agency
at one of the airport desks inside and outside the airport terminal. There
is a Cambio desk near customs where you can change money and Banelco ATM
near the terminal exit where you can withdraw pesos.

From the moment you step off the plane, be aware that you are recognized as
a tourist and people are watching where you carry your money. Try to be as
careful as possible when opening your wallet. Safeguard your passport and
always carry a photocopy of it with you while in Buenos Aires.

During your stay in Buenos Aires, try to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Americans stand out because they speak English so loudly on the street.
Carry your bag or purse on your shoulder and held under your arm. Go out
with as little money as possible. Withdraw money from ATMs only in the
afternoon. Bring only what you absolutely need when going to a milonga.
Take your purchases back to the hotel before going to dance. The
neighborhoods of Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano have their share of
robberies, so be alert on the streets, in restaurants, while shopping, and
especially in the milongas. The milongas at night where tourists are pose
the greatest opportunity for theft while you are dancing.

Take only radio taxis. Be sure to have change in small bills to pay the
driver. Women should not be alone on the street at night or take taxis from
a milonga to the hotel alone. Obtain a Tango Map to learn where you are in
the city and where you need to go.

Argentines are warm and friendly people who will make you feel very welcome.
Keep in mind that tourists are considered wealthy here even if you don't put
yourself in that category. Your apartment or hotel should remain off-limits
to anyone you have just met.

Janis Kenyon

Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 23:59:59 -0700
From: Larry and Marta Williams <mwillia5@ELP.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

For your info .

Larry
----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 6:12 PM
Subject: [TANGO-L] safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

> The busiest time of the year for tourism in Buenos Aires has arrived.
> Many
> are coming for the annual city festival that begins February 25 and for
> other weeks during March. After living six years in Buenos Aires, I've
> heard the experiences locals and tourists. Here are some travelers' tips
> I
> want to pass along to anyone coming to Buenos Aires.
>
> Today, a friend told me that her boss went to the bank to withdraw a
> considerable amount of money. He was approached by two men at gunpoint
> and
> told to turn over the money. This took place four blocks from the place
> of
> business during the daytime. I'm sorry to say that theft has become
> common
> in the city due to economic difficulties and high unemployment. It is
> more
> important than ever for tourists to take certain precautions when walking
> around the city, day and night. You can never let down your guard and
> must
> learn simple stragegies to avoid unpleasant situations.
>
> Friends from Chicago were here last week. We went to a milonga together
> where I noticed that two of the women were wearing their diamond wedding
> rings. I suggested they turn the rings so that the diamonds were on the
> palm side and to leave them in the hotel for the remainder of their visit.
> Wearing expensive jewelry is inviting theft. Miguel Angel Zotto has a
> gold
> Rolex watch, but he doesn't wear it to a milonga. Leave your expensive
> jewelry at home. The only ones who you will impress are those who are
> eager
> to relieve you of your valuables. Clean out your wallet. You won't be
> needing all those credit cards; one debit card for withdrawing cash will
> be
> sufficient.
>
> Collect your baggage at the airport promptly and keep it in your sight at
> all times. Do not accept a ride to the city with anyone who approaches
> you
> at the airport. Arrange for transportation to the city with Manuel Tienda
> Leon (shuttle bus downtown), Remise agencies (hired cars), or a Taxi
> agency
> at one of the airport desks inside and outside the airport terminal.
> There
> is a Cambio desk near customs where you can change money and Banelco ATM
> near the terminal exit where you can withdraw pesos.
>
> From the moment you step off the plane, be aware that you are recognized
> as
> a tourist and people are watching where you carry your money. Try to be
> as
> careful as possible when opening your wallet. Safeguard your passport and
> always carry a photocopy of it with you while in Buenos Aires.
>
> During your stay in Buenos Aires, try to be as inconspicuous as possible.
> Americans stand out because they speak English so loudly on the street.
> Carry your bag or purse on your shoulder and held under your arm. Go out
> with as little money as possible. Withdraw money from ATMs only in the
> afternoon. Bring only what you absolutely need when going to a milonga.
> Take your purchases back to the hotel before going to dance. The
> neighborhoods of Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano have their share of
> robberies, so be alert on the streets, in restaurants, while shopping, and
> especially in the milongas. The milongas at night where tourists are pose
> the greatest opportunity for theft while you are dancing.
>
> Take only radio taxis. Be sure to have change in small bills to pay the
> driver. Women should not be alone on the street at night or take taxis
> from
> a milonga to the hotel alone. Obtain a Tango Map to learn where you are
> in
> the city and where you need to go.
>
> Argentines are warm and friendly people who will make you feel very
> welcome.
> Keep in mind that tourists are considered wealthy here even if you don't
> put
> yourself in that category. Your apartment or hotel should remain
> off-limits
> to anyone you have just met.
>
> Janis Kenyon

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 11:50:47 +0100
From: Christian Lüthen <christian.luethen@GMX.NET>
Subject: Re: safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

I'd like to add one point: do not show around your photo or camera
equipment!!! Not on the street, not in the milongas!

Allready it is considered *extremely* unpolite to take pictures in
the milongas or practicas (take care, some people are only out there
on a 'trampa' basis - you don't want to embaress them!) this get's
even worse if pictures are taken using a flash!!! And get's to
nightmare when people are using these ultamodern/embarrissing cameras
which focus with a cascade of flashes, and when finally firing
sending another thunderstorm of flashes ahead to try to avoid red-
eyes! Do NOT use flashes ... they disturb the atmosphere. And by not
using a flash you do not have a red-eye-problem!!! And by not using a
flash you do not "light" the way towards you for possible thiefs!

Do not leave you camera behind in the milonga. That is: glue it to
you body! There's no way of leaving your camera either on or under
the table (in your bag) without you yourself touching it!!! Regulary
cameras get stolen from bags while people are dancing! (same rule
applies for money: even the ladies should carry the money on their
body).

Do not leave cameras / videocameras behind in your bags during
practicas and classes! Last year on more than one accasion
video/photo equippement was stolen from participents of classes!!!
The easy trick the pickpockets use: they take part in the class!!!
they watch you using your cam ... and later take it while you're
pratising! And then they just leave early - on what excuse soever!


Also a general other rule applies (as in any big city): carry some
pickpocket money (appart from the main money you carry)! Better hand
them over some 50 pesos instead of all the rest! Same applies for the
milongas: just leave some pesos in your pocket/satchel under your
seat: if they take it you're not in a major problem. But the thief is
(partially) satisfied! Could safe your life!!!


BE AWARE!!!

But also: Enjoy your trip!
Christian



On 19 Feb 2005 at 22:12, Janis Kenyon wrote:

> Here are some
> travelers' tips I want to pass along to anyone coming to Buenos Aires.

christian@eTanguero.net
https://www.eTanguero.net/

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 11:50:47 +0100
From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Christian_L=FCthen?= <christian.luethen@GMX.NET>
Subject: Re: safety tips for tourists coming to Buenos Aires

I'd like to add one point: do not show around your photo or camera
equipment!!! Not on the street, not in the milongas!

Allready it is considered *extremely* unpolite to take pictures in
the milongas or practicas (take care, some people are only out there
on a 'trampa' basis - you don't want to embaress them!) this get's
even worse if pictures are taken using a flash!!!....

But also: Enjoy your trip!
Christian

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