Argentina is a
vast country with a dramatically varied landscape, from the subtropical north to
the sub-Antarctic south. Buenos Aires, where our programmes are located, lies
close to the edge of the great Río de la Plata.
Salsa music is a
synthesis of European and African musical influences that was born in Cuba. The
European part is the melodies and harmonies (from the Andalucia region of
Spain), whilst the African part in Salsa is mainly from the western coast of
Africa where the slave trade was most prevalent.
During your placement you will
have lessons with a private Salsa teacher of Cuban origin
who will tailor your programme to your individual level of expertise.
You can also combine
your Salsa placement with a Spanish Course
Salsa music is a
synthesis of European and African musical influences that was born in Cuba. The
European part is the melodies and harmonies (from the Andalucia region of
Spain), whilst the African part in Salsa is mainly from the western coast of
Africa where the slave trade was most prevalent.
Musically speaking Salsa is a group of Latin rhythmic styles that contain the
Clave beat; the clave beat is infectious, it makes the listener "have-to-move".
Modern Salsa is directly related to the Mambo in both its music and dance forms
especially New York Salsa dance.
During your placement you will
have lessons with a private Salsa teacher of Cuban origin
who will tailor your programme to your individual level of expertise.
The lessons scheduled for your
placement are as follows:
Three private Salsa classes
per week, each lasting one and a half hours, these will usually be taken in
the late morning or afternoon but there will be some flexibility, depending
on your teacher’s schedule.
One group class per week
(lasting one and a half hours). All of your teacher’s present students will
get together for this class.
If, at any time, your teacher
doesn’t have many other students, then this class will be an additional private
lesson instead.
During your placement you will have plenty of opportunities to attend Salsa
clubs where you will mix with many different individuals to improve your skills.
Here everyone dances together and continually change couple - all lots of fun!
“Azucar” is a Salsa club located close to the hostel.
Your dance
schedule will allow plenty of time for sightseeing and absorbing the experience
of being in Argentina.
"I’m having a really wonderful time! I feel that I’m independent and free
whilst still having a safety net to fall back on if anything goes wrong.
It’s very nice to know that there are also people from the company out here
to help if there are any problems. I would advise people to bring more money
than they think they need here as although it is cheap, there are so many
things to buy and do and with the food being so great you do eat out a lot.
Also be realistic about how long you want to stay. I thought 1 month would
be more than enough time but as soon as I arrived I realised I wanted to
stay so much longer!" Zahra Al-Nugaidi - Salsa / Spanish
The romance of Argentina takes one's
breath away. The natural wonders alone take some beating! From the
northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to
the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied
and stunning.
For
cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital, Buenos Aires. This
fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication and has a surprisingly
European feel about it.
BA is reminiscent of Paris
and its tree-lined avenues and frequent plazas
have a beguiling, faded elegance. Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the
traditional focus of activity. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly
known as the world's widest thoroughfare and, with its
nine lanes of traffic, is truly a pedestrian's nightmare! Avenida
Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.
Argentina is geared
up to thrill - from nights tangoing in the chic quarter of Buenos Aires to
gaucho riding in the grasslands of the Pampas. Dynamic and bustling, a
city which seems never to sleep, Buenos Aires
is one of the most exciting cities in Latin America. Tango was born here,
restaurants serve all manner of world cuisines, bars play the latest
music, cafés spill on to the streets and nightclubs allow dancing
throughout the night.
Buenos Aires is famous throughout South America for
its theatres, museums and galleries. Gucci, Armani, Prada, to name a few,
line the boulevards catering for the fashion conscious porteños, their
offerings as stylish as anything found in the cities in Europe or North
America.
Argentine cuisine
is an adaptation of Spanish, Italian, Middle Eastern and other European
food, with a heavy emphasis on meat, in particular Beef. Beef is consumed
in a variety of ways, the most traditional is the Parilla – other wise
known as a Barbeque! Also common are meat and vegetable pies, empanadas
(similar to pasties) and pasta dishes such as meat Ravioli or bolognese.
Vegetarianism is not all that
common in Argentina so if you are a vegetarian
you may find that there is a limited choice in local
restaurants.
Argentineans have
a sweet tooth and desserts usually include ice cream, custard flan,
pastries and cakes all sweet enough to rival those found in European
cities like Paris. Dulche de Leche is a caramelised
milk and sugar concoction which is often eaten for breakfast and is
a typical local delicacy.
Area:
2,776,890 sq km (1,083,000 sq mi) Population: 37,812,817 Capital city: Buenos Aires (pop 16 million) Language: American Spanish, plus 17 indigenous languages
ACCOMMODATION
The hostel is decorated in a modern
style throughout and is a very homely place The TV room
There are two choices for accommodation in Buenos Aires. Depending on
your preferences you can either stay in the modern hostel, in the young
and trendy neighbourhood of Palermo, with other volunteers or, if you
would prefer a more cultural experience, you can be placed with a host
family and be fluent in Spanish is no time!
HOSTEL: You will be accommodated in a small,
modern
hostel situated in trendy Palermo, a beautiful area located near to the
heart of the city.
Palermo is the young people’s capital of Buenos
Aires and is full of restaurants, bars, and boutique style shops. Even
though on each block you can find the latest fashions and nightlife
hotspots, the neighbourhood is traditional with wide streets and old
colonial style houses. Many of the streets are cobbled and tree lined
and to the west you’ll find a huge park (similar to Central Park in New
York).
The hostel has recently been renovated with new decor and furniture.
Features such as high ceilings, wooden floor boards and friendly staff,
help create what is a chilled and relaxing atmosphere. Big enough to be
sociable and fun, yet small enough to feel at home - the hostel receives
a great deal of positive volunteer feedback. Even though the hostel is
open to the public, you will have your own room, shared with other
Travellers volunteers of the same sex. You could be sharing with 2 or 3
other volunteers.
At time of writing the facilities at the hostel include; Reception area
with open fire and sofas: a large living room with cable TV, air
conditioning, sofas and huge bean bags; two computers with FREE internet
access 24/7 with Skype and MSN; a large dining area with music/stereo:
kitchen with full facilities: private and enclosed garden/patio, with
garden furniture: ping pong table, table football, board games, and
books: local DVD store with hostel account: access to telephones for
outgoing calls and emergency services, and a London telephone number for
incoming calls: staff 24/7: security cameras outside: soft drinks and
snacks for purchase.
A traditional Argentinean breakfast will be provided every day at the
hostel and an allowance for your evening meal! We have this
arrangement in place to give our volunteers the flexibility to sample
the great Argentinean food! Right on the door step of the hostel there
are many cafes and restaurants with great priced menus just waiting for
you….the choice is yours! This means that you will only need to pay
for lunch out of your own money.
Your accommodation is ideally situated only two blocks from the subway,
trains and just around the corner from a major buses route, thus making
it very easy to get to and from your placements and around the many
tourist attractions: the Obelisco, the Casa Rosada, the Congreso, La
Boca neighbourhood and San Telmo district.
HOST FAMILY: If you would prefer a more cultural experience, we can arrange for
you to stay with a local Argentinean Family. Host family accommodation
gives you the opportunity to become more integrated with the local
community and is ideal if you want to practice your Spanish
(Basic/intermediate Spanish is required to stay with a Host Family). You
will be integrated into the family and will be provided with a
comfortable and clean private room and will have use of the kitchen.
Breakfast will be provided every day and for dinner (optional) you will
usually share a typical Argentinean meal with your family. Facilities in
host families do vary, but you will have the opportunity to express your
preferences regarding the type of family that you stay with (for
example, a family with/without children, pets etc). If you
stay in a host family you will be provided with the contact details of
other volunteers living in Buenos Aires at the same time as you so that
you won't miss out on any socialising!
Cost of living: The currency in Argentina is the Peso and
at the time of writing the cost of living is very cheap. Can of coke
costs: 2 pesos /40 pence, One Bus trip costs: 80 centavos /15 pence, One Subway
trip costs: 70 Centavos / 13 pence, A Taxi journey across the city
costs: 10-20
pesos / £1.60 - £3.30, Lunch in a café with drink costs:
13-17
pesos/ £2.10 - £2.80, Evening meal costs:
20-30
pesos/ £3.30 - £5.00.
There are approximately 3 Pesos to the US dollar, and 6 Pesos to £1
Sterling. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation, so please check these
regularly as the figures quoted may differ.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU:
As with all our destinations, the
Argentine culture
and heritage, although European in flavour, is different to Anglo-Saxon cultures and this must be borne in
mind.
Self-reliance and independence are highly
appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this
wonderful opportunity!
Once you have applied for a placement, we will send you a very
detailed Argentina Information Book, as well as an equally detailed Safety Guide
- both of these will help to make your stay in Argentina one that you will never
forget!
This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful
country.
TRAVEL:
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
here possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
You will fly into Buenos
Aires where you'll be met by either Melina or Adriana Saccal,
our local organisers. From the airport you'll be taken to your accommodation.
Several days later, once you have settled in and recovered from the flight, you
will be introduced to your teacher.
To see what Support
& Backup we provide in our countries,
please click here.
VISAS:
Visa’s are not required for a stay of 90 days if you are a British Passport
holder. If you are not a British passport holder, we will liase with you about
specific requirements, if any, and make the Visa process very easy.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our
volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination
country.
Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa
and the level of your air ticket,
of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get
a changeable ticket.
We can also arrange your flight
dates
to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a
fascinating and wondrous country!
PRICES:
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Argentina, please
click here
Prices
include
Food & accommodation (excluding lunch)
while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
Please note that if you'd prefer to live with a host family, there is an
additional supplement of £45 per month for bed-and-breakfast and £75 for
half-board.
.
+44 01903 502595
