VG PRE- DEPARTURE INFORMATION BOOKLET 2014

INDEX

CONTACT DETAILS

LOCATION OF THE HOUSE

HOUSE AREAS

HOUSE RULES & REGULATIONS

LIVING IN

WAYS TO SUCCESSFULLY ADAPT TO YOUR HOST CULTURE

SAFETY

Our House is placed in a Pedro Cruz is the House Coordinator. He studied Tour- historical building located ism & Hotel Management at Universidad del Salvador in the very heart of Bue- in and he knows the city as the palm of nos Aires. his hand. He will contact you prior to your arrival in Ar- The complete address is: gentina so you have all the information you need and

help you preparing for your trip.

You can contact Pedro anytime you want. Here are his contact details: Av. De Mayo 1385 nd 2 Floor, apt. C PEDRO CRUZ CP1084 Ciudad Autónoma de Bue- VG House Coordinator & Responsible Tourism Adviser nos Aires Tel.: 00 54 9 1132961700 Buenos Aires - Argentina [email protected]

2 Here are some of the nearest attractions:

PALACIO BAROLO: right in front of our building you will find the construction inspired on the Divina Comedia () by , divided in three parts (Hell, Purgatory and Heaven) with a light house at the top.

15 minute walk from the OBELISCO: the symbol of Bue- nos Aires, placed where the Argentinian flag was raised for the first time.

15 minute walk from : foundational square of Buenos Aires, surrounded by the Buenos Aires Ca- thedral, , Cabildo, and the Buenos Aires Gov- ernment Palace.

20 minute walk from TEATRO COLÓN: This is the main opera house in the city, acoustically considered to be amongst the five best concert venues in the world.

25 minute walk from SAN TELMO: The oldest barrio (neighborhood) of Buenos Aires. It is a well-preserved area characterized by its colonial buildings. Cafes, parlors and antique shops line the cobblestone streets, which are often filled with artists and dancers.

3 HOUSE AREAS The House has two main uses: Accommodation for volunteers: The House (Casa) is exclusive for volunteers helping in our projects. It is divided in the following areas: LIVING ROOM A friendly area for meetings, work, study or sharing some time together and learn from each other. Here you will find the TV Set, DVD player, a small library and four computers with Internet access.

COMMON AREAS All shared areas as the living room and computer area are shared with students (volunteers and from the pro- jects) so we ask you to be especially careful when you use these areas. Remember that this is also an oppor- tunity for all of us to learn from each other on a very respectful context, where we are all equal.

BREAKFAST ROOM ì

KITCHEN Equipped with two fridges, microwave, electric kettle, dishes and cupboard for storing your food during your stay.

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ROOMS Rooms (habitaciones): there are two rooms with 4 beds, one room with 6 beds and 3 private rooms. They are equipped with air conditioning and heating.

CLUB Our House is also a meeting point for all members of the VG Community: co- ordinators, people from the projects, and young students from the projects. It will provide you with the opportunity to meet the locals, share experiences, watch movies and more. We also like to organize monthly events to exchange information about the city, the culture and the projects, of course. Services included in the house are the following: ü Bed linen are changed every week ü Cleaning service are provided only in the main areas of the House (twice a week) ü Free desk computers with inter- net access ü Free WiFi connection ü Tourist Guides & Information 5

VG HOUSE RULES In the interests of global harmony, please:

§ Be considerate of other guests, particularly when coming in and out of dorms at night.

§ Clear up after yourself – especially in the kitchens. Read the signs in the kitchen be- fore you use it and clean the fridge regular- ly.

§ Keep the bathrooms clean and dry

§ Turn lights off when you leave your room.

§ RESPECT EACH OTHER - don’t leave person- al items lying around the House or in the bathrooms.

§ SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE HOUSE.

§ Do not open the front door of the house to anyone if you don’t know who they are. It’s

best to first open the window in the door to confirm who the visitor is, who they are looking for and then inform the appropriate per- son.

§ Do not prop the front door open at any time and please KEEP BOTH DOORS LOCKED.

§ Visitors are only permitted in the living room. They are not allowed in the kitchen or bedrooms.

§ Call the mobile number on the board if there are any problems – we’d rather know so we can sort things out than find out afterwards when it’s too late.

§ Anyone not respecting these rules may be asked to leave without a refund. No drugs, ex- cessive alcohol consumption, violence, vandalism or offensive behavior towards other guests or staff members will be tolerated.

LIVING IN ARGENTINA COST OF LIVING Argentina is more expensive than other South American countries. We suggest you bring US$75 - US$100 per week for spending money. You may want to bring more if you end up travelling within Argentina.

SAFETY There is no particular threat to foreigners and travelers should not be discouraged from travelling throughout the country. Argentina is one of the safest countries in Latin America. However, there are still periodic outbreaks of social unrest and demonstrations. Visitors are, therefore, advised to keep abreast with news to know whether any political disturbances are expected.

HOW TO HANDLE MONEY SAFELY: — To avoid carrying large amounts of cash, change your travelers' checks only as you need currency. Countersign traveler’s checks only in front of the person who will cash them. — Do not flash large amounts of money when pay- ing a bill. Make sure your credit card is returned to you after each transaction. — Deal only with authorized agents when you ex- change money, buy airline tickets or purchase souvenirs. Do not change money on the black market.

LEGAL MA TTERS When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and are under its jurisdiction - NOT the protection of the laws of your home country i.e. you can be arrested overseas for actions that may be either legal or considered minor infractions in your country. Police can demand identification at any moment and for whatever reason. Carry a photo- copy of your passport at all times and be courteous and cooperative. The legal drinking age is 18. Marijuana as well as cocaine are illegal in Argentina and can land you in jail. DO NOT be- come involved with the local drug culture in any way. Besides the legal dangers, there are also the dangers posed by dealing with any illegal organizations.

7 CONVERSATION Small talk is important. Bringing up Football is a great way to start conversation with peo- ple—definitely avoid bringing up the Dirty War or the Falklands issue with people until you know them well. Porteños are very proud of their city and culture (some would say to the point of arro- gance), so avoid direct criticism of Buenos Aires when possible. The speech of Buenos Aires in particular abounds with words and phrases from the colorful slang known as “lunfardo” (see appendix). Although you shouldn’t use lunfardo words un- less you are supremely confident that you know their every implication (especially in formal situations), it’s good to be aware of some of the more common everyday usages.

DOS & DON'TS — Don't expect Argentines to arrive punctually for social engagements. They'll probably be as much as 30 minutes behind schedule. — Don't put your feet up on a table or chair: It's considered rude. — Don't expect to be completely understood if you have studied the Mexican dialect of Spanish. If you don't speak Spanish, say "no hablo castellano," rather than "no hablo español," because Argentines refer to the language they speak as Castilian, rather than Spanish. Do expect Argentine Spanish to sound a little like Italian and to be po- litely corrected when you make a mistake. — Do adjust your sleeping habits to stay up late.

SOCIAL HINTS GREETINGS In Argentina, when you greet someone or say goodbye to them, you give each other a kiss on the (right) cheek. In formal situation people shake hands. Argentineans are great conver- sationalists and are interested and knowledgeable about world events, politics and sporting. Meetings usually begin with small talk. BODY LANGUAGE Personal body space is close. It is common for participants in a conversation to politely touch each other on the arm or back, and a light kiss on the cheek is customary, even after the first meeting. Take your cue from your acquaintance. Do not stand with your hands on your hips, as this seems overly bold and might imply a challenge. The act of yawning in public is considered rude, so be sure to cover your mouth, turn slightly away from your hosts and apologize. If in a toasting situation, it is customary to say “salud” and look every person directly in the eyes that is included in the toast.

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WAYS TO SUCCESSFULLY ADAPT TO YOUR HOST CULTURE

It is important to handle "culture shock" with adaptability, a sense of humor, and a lot of common sense. Give yourself time to become accustomed to the cultural differences. You may even find that many of the differences are a pleasant change from your way of life. If you have an active interest in finding meaningful patterns for unfamiliar customs, it ex- pands your horizons and adds the wealth of another culture to your own. The following suggestions should minimize the negative effects of "culture shock" and help you make the most out of your volunteer experience:

ü Maintain a flexible personality and be open-minded. ü Learning the language is probably one of the most important steps you can take to getting accustomed to your host country. ü Stay motivated. ü Be patient. ü Be tolerant of ambiguity while taking time to be familiar with your surroundings. ü Realize that often the people in the country you visit have time concepts and thought pattern different from your own. This does not necessarily make them rude, only dif- ferent. ü Remember that you are only one of the thousands of tourists visiting this country and do not expect special privileges. ü Work on increasing your language proficiency. Many of the misunderstandings and confusion you experience abroad are a result o the language barrier. ü Know that any disorientation you feel is normal and keep in mind that given time, the effects you feel from culture shock will likely pass. ü YOU CAN CHECK THIS VIDEO FOR MORE INFORMATION:

9 SAFETY ON THE STREETS: — Do not attract attention to yourself by speaking English loudly in public spaces or wearing expensive look- ing jewelry. These mannerisms will certainly attract thieves, or worse. — Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments. Do not discuss travel plans or other per- sonal matters with strangers. — Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When possible, ask direc- tions only from individuals in au- thority.

— Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. Try not to travel alone at night. — Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide. — Be alert for bag snatchers, pickpockets and con men, particularly in crowded areas in Buenos Aires, on public transport (buses, the subway, bus and train stations) and in popular tourist haunts (especially in market places and festivals). — Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will: jostle you, ask you for directions or the time, point to something spilled on your clothing, or distract you by creating a disturbance. — Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers. — Do not carry your actual passport with you—just carry a copy and leave your passport safely stored at either your host family’s house or your guesthouse. — Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change on hand. — If you are confronted, don't fight back. Give up your valuables. Your money and pass- port can be replaced, but you cannot. — Learn a few phrases in Spanish/Castilian so you can signal your need for help, the po- lice, or a doctor. Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: po- lice, fire, your accommodation, and your nearest embassy or consulate.

NOTE: If you want to learn or improve your Spanish, you can always contact Pedro for rec- ommendations.

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CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE

Cafes are a part of everyday Argentine life both for the residents of Buenos Aires as well as those from other regions. It is like a second home where people meet over a steaming cup of coffee with friends, acquaintances, clients or themselves... Mate is THE traditional beverage of Argentina. For Argentineans, “los mates” are a funda- mental part of life. Mate is a strong, caffeinated ! tea drank from a cup about the size of an apple. The cup is filled with an herb (yerba) and hot water and then drank through a metal straw called “bombilla” that has a filter on its end. When somebody offers you a mate it means that they care about you, that they want to share something with you. That’s why we sug- gest you not to reject mate when offered…it might not be your intention but it can hurt their feelings!

In Latin America everything revolves around relationships. What really matters is the way people get along and interact with one another; efficiency only comes after. For example, companies would rather hire someone who is a member of the family or a close friend be- fore a qualified stranger.

Unlike many places in Europe, jeans are completely acceptable and commonly used, in res- taurants and clubs. There are some clubs that may not let you enter wearing shorts and/or sandals. Although Buenos Aires is a very fashionable city, it can also be very casual.

Argentines typically eat a very small breakfast of coffee or tea and toast or pastries, if they eat breakfast at all. Lunch is typically around 1-3 pm, and they do not have a “siesta” in the afternoon like in Spain. Dinnertime can be anywhere from 9 pm to 12 am.

Bars do not start up until 12 -2 am and clubs never fill up until 3 -4 am. It is very normal to stay out until 7 am on the weekends. This being said, if you plan to party/drink please do so slowly. Bars and clubs in North America and most places in Europe close around the same time Argentines start going out, so please keep this in mind. Tipping in restaurants is approximately 10%, and tipping after taxi rides is not expected.

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