HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Polaroid of the Week: Accordion Player Captivates at Buenos Aires' Feria de Mataderos

Polaroid of the Week: Accordion Player Captivates at Buenos Aires Feria de MataderosBuenos Aires pulses with rich urban culture, but to experience Argentina's iconic Gaucho traditions—much like American cowboys in the vast pampas—head to the Feria de Mataderos, a vibrant weekly folk festival on the city's western outskirts.

Once the heart of Argentina's cattle trade at the turn of the 20th century—its name 'Mataderos' means 'slaughterhouses' in Spanish—today's Sundays are a joyous celebration. Watch folkloric dances in traditional attire, live folk music on stage, and crowds honoring Gaucho heritage. Surrounding streets brim with stalls offering cowboy boots, knives, horseshoes, artisan cheeses, fresh breads, Argentine wines, figs, nuts, homemade jams, and crafts from horse hooves.

Horses take center stage too, with Gauchos competing in the thrilling Carrera de Sortija: galloping at full speed to hook a small hanging ring onto a silver stick.

The summer heat seemed to distress the horses, tempering the excitement, but the dances and musicians shone—especially this dedicated accordion player with his antique instrument, entertaining all afternoon. Get a fuller sense of the Feria de Mataderos via this video from our friends Erin & Simon's 2010 visit to Argentina.


Tourist Attraction
  • Polaroid of the Week: Sunny Beach Day in Brighton, England

    Rather than sharing another Polaroid from Berlin, Ive chosen to highlight my current spot: Brighton, England, where Im spending much of this week. After visiting for Brighton Pride last summer, I never imagined returning so soon—travels often surprise me! (Recall my unexpected Amazon adventure in March? No plans for that either.)Just last week, a beach day in Brighton was the furthest thing from my mind, but Im thrilled with this turn. Summer sunshine finally graced Britain over the weekend, del

  • Polaroid of the Week: Hong Kong s Electrifying Nightlife and Skyline

    With two major posts dropping this weekend, Im sharing this weeks Polaroid a bit early. Ive finally visited Hong Kong—a destination on my bucket list for years. Now, Im wondering why I didnt come sooner! Ill return through here on my way back to Europe, so I took it easy this time. Arriving exhausted after my fifth country this month, I skipped the hikes and long sightseeing treks Id planned. The citys intensity—the crowds, noise, and energy—overwhelmed me for the first two days. It took time

  • Polaroid of the Week: Unveiling the Aromatic Spices of India

    Strolling through the vibrant streets of Indian towns, were greeted by an intoxicating array of aromas wafting from homes and eateries. Renowned worldwide for its bold flavors, Indian cuisine draws from native spices like cardamom, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon. We immersed ourselves in these sensory delights, browsing roadside spice shops brimming with fresh heaps. Though we couldnt visit Goas spice farms this trip, their abundance offers endless opportunities to witness these culina