Saturday, October 27, 2007

Pardon me, boy

Is that the Chattanooga choo choo? No, it's the Tren De La Costa, a picturesque ride of 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) from Olivos in the outskirts of Buenos Aires proper to Tigre on the Rio de la Plata. Luciano and I took the train last Sunday, the 21st, and had a very enjoyable outing.

The train is an upscale tourist attraction, not a typical commuter train. It's very well maintained, has comfortable seats and oversized windows, and the 11 refurbished vintage stations along its route are designed to appeal to the eye rather than serve a merely utilitarian purpose. Each station has a theme which integrates its architecture with the amenities and attractions it offers. For example, Borges station, named after the famous author, is the "Arts" station and features roof gardens, gazebos, outdoor statuary and its parks and pathways lead to one of the oldest operating cinemas in the world.

We stopped about halfway along the rail line to lunch in San Isidro, the "Shopping" station. The station itself is lovely with many outdoor cafes, bars, plazas, and gallerias. Plaza Mitre, the park across from the station, hosts an open-air crafts and antiques fair with dozens and dozens of booths. Both the park and the station feature live performances to keep you entertained while you eat and shop. From the park we headed into the center of town, passing by its historic cathedral. It has the charm and feel of a village, broad tree-lined streets, houses rather than apartment buildings, and little traffic compared to congested Buenos Aires. We stopped in at a cafe, whose name I can't recall, and had pastries that were truly enormous. I know how to find the place again and believe me, the next time we're there I will hunt for it!

After our high-calorie indulgence, we somehow waddled back to the station and hopped aboard for the ride to Tigre, one of the most popular day trips for residents of the capital. Situated in the Paraná Delta region of the river, it is an operating port as well as a tourist destination. There's an amusement park, casino, pubs and restaurants, and hundreds of shops to buy artesanal clothing, furniture, and other handicrafts. Boat tours of the delta and nearby islands are available.

The round-trip fare is only 16 pesos (US $5.08), or 10 pesos for Argentine residents, and is good for all day travel, allowing stops at any or all of the stations. Trains run approximately every 20 minutes from 7 in the morning until midnight. Visitors to Buenos Aires should certainly plan for a day trip on the Tren De La Costa not only for its inherent attractions but as a brief respite from the chaos of the city. A regular commuter train also runs from Retiro station in downtown Buenos Aires all the way to Tigre, with various stops along the way, for only 1.50 pesos (about US $0.50) but it's not nearly as scenic and doesn't allow passengers to debark and reboard along the way. For 20 dollars, you and your special someone will enjoy a romantic rail journey, a full day of sightseeing, a lovely lunch outdoors, and come back with change in your pocket. What could be better?

I can afford
To board a Chattanooga choo choo
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare

(Thanks to Mack Gordon, lyrics, and Harry Warren, music, and the fabulous Andrews Sisters for the unforgettable song "Chattanooga Choo Choo"!)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi!, I'm producer from Buenos Aires and we're looking for US & Canadians living in Argentina for a Documentary about "Water as unique resource" to be showed at an International Fair in Spain later this year.

We're looking for `Men and Women aged 18-65 years old, from USA/Canada living in Buenos Aires area. Don't need to be an actor, since we're looking for "real" people (people from arounf the world sit in front of the camera and give thoughts about the Water and its future as a natural resouce based on a brief script and their personal opinions).

If you are interested, or known any who might be, please contact me at: luis.reggiardo@gmail.com

Thx!

Luis Reggiardo
Producer
156-397-8366(m)/4863-4869(w)