Country Article / Postcards
The Art of Zen in Bueno Aires
Date: 06/19/2005
Dear International Living Reader,
All local Argentines, porteños as they call themselves, are thin. Is it because their cuisine effortlessly resembles the Atkins diet? Or possibly that Marlboro and Lucky Strikes act as appetite suppressants? Sure, but the real secret lies in the daily strolls, paseos, that are ubiquitous to porteño culture.
In the heart of the Palermo barrio of Buenos Aires, at the busy corner of Avenida Figueroa Alcorta and Avenida Casares, you'll be lured away from the speeding traffic by the serene pitter-patter of Zen water fountains at the entry of the Jardín Japonés. The tranquility of this park will announce itself quietly during your paseo around mini-pagodas, schools of koi in a spectrum of colors, and minimalist wooden foot bridges with rope handrails over placid ponds.
Extremely family-friendly, the Jardín Japonés has a playground to keep children happy during your walk. You can also arm them with fish food, sold at the gift shop, for the only frenetic population at this park--the bustling koi.
It may not be as sexy as the tango, as sweaty as the soccer matches, or as savory as the steak, but a serene stroll at the Jardín Japonés is relaxing and therapeutic. And afterward, you can dine at the Restaurant Jardín Japonés at the west end of the park. Find it by following the Japanese lanterns that light your path like fireflies.
Jardín Japonés and the restaurant are open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.; the restaurant then re-opens for dinner from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Weekday entry costs 3 Argentine pesos ($1) per adult, 1 Argentine peso (33 cents) for children 6-10 years old, and is free for children under the age of 6. Entry is free to the public on the weekends. More information is available by phone at +(54)1-4804-9141, by e-mail at informes@jardinjapones.com, or on the website: www.jardinjapones.com (in Spanish).
Jennifer Deng-Pickett
For International Living
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