The fair is basically a big conglomeration of all of the street vendors in Buenos Aires that occurs every Saturday and Sunday. I actually was able to buy quite a few souvenirs there, but I do suggest shopping around as some are really good quality and a good price and others are cheap and made to just gouge the tourists. The hint is to walk the whole thing. Yes it is enormously long and you will be tired when you are done, but you will undoubtedly find what you were looking for in the best quality at a good price from a really friendly local.
Hints to the San Telmo Street Fair:
1. Don't pay more than 6 pesos for a glass of jugo expremido. No doubt you will see lots of people peddling fresh OJ but don't give in just because you are thirsty give it two seconds and undoubtedly you will find someone at the right price. Also, the concept of ice here is foreign so look for someone who keeps their oranges in a bath of ice water!
2. Pay attention to make sure you don't get pick pocketed. It is a very busy area and there are always people in any country looking to steal from you....I realize that is a fairly pessimistic view of the world, but whatever.
3. Do not hold on to your bag like you are trying to kill a wild animal. Yes I said to watch out for pick pockets but this does not mean that the 6 foot tall blonde lady needs to grip her bag like Rose holding onto Jack after the Titanic sank. Not everyone with an accent is trying to rob you! Calm Down!
4. If someone is trying to sell you their product be wary. There is a word here in Buenos Aires, called a chanta. For lack of a good translation think smarmy used car salesman. People who make and sell quality things at this fair are not trying to sell you anything because they know there stuff is good and will get bought eventually.
5. Don't wander too much off the beaten path unless you really know where you are going. Because the fair is so big and closes off so many streets I think the bus schedule and where the buses stop changes so it is best to just leave the same way you entered, like most things in life.
6. Bring a bag. This may sound stupid because everyone will give you a little plastic bag for you stuff but trust me your own bag is always a plus. Two reasons I suggest this: one is that its hard to carry all of those little bags and two is that if you are carrying a bunch of little bags you are a prime target for any chanta with a brain to take advantage of, no matter how smart you think you are.
7. Be prepared with small bills and centavos. There are a lot of street performers and if you take pictures they will expect some sort of payment. Also a lot of the vendors are not going to have change for a 100 pesos, so just better to be prepared.
8. Last but not least, wear comfortable shoes. It is definitely a hike from one end of the fair to the other and on cobblestone street. If you have a pair of running sneakers it is definitely the day to put them on your feet.
Now for what you have all been waiting for.....Picture Time:
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| This is a church/school you will find in the midst of the fair. Awesome statue! |
The next set of pictures that I have are actually of some of the many musicians you may see on a typical trip to the San Telmo Fair.
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| Come on this kid is sooo friggin cute right...his father used him to clear a path throughout the fair...Genius! |
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| They were playing some Tango music. |
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| That's right it is Capt. Jack Sparrow...in Argentina...whatever its an easy costume I guess.... |
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| This man did amazing acrobatics on his balls. That orange one and the silver one...really really impressed with his ball skills. |
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| This is by far my FAVORITE street performer at the San Telmo Fair. He is there every single time I have been and literally is what you would expect and Argentine clown to be like. He is handsy with everyone...male, female, and those who are somewhere in between by the looks of them. He is also really just sort of a goofy clown with kids. Gets a laugh for a peso from everyone. |
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