The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

The weird thing I miss from Buenos Aires

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I miss a lot of things about Buenos Aires.

I miss the grand buildings.

I miss the asados and incredible red wine.

I miss being able to hop on a bus at any hour for less than a buck.

And yes, I miss the bidets.

I could go on and on.

The one thing I am most surprised that I miss is the sifón.

What is a sifón?

A sifón is the container that keeps seltzer water carbonated.  You can find fancy glass antique ones at the San Telmo Sunday Fair.  But I didn’t care about the aesthetics so much as the actual beverage and custom.

Photo via Flickr user betobeto

The weird part about this is that I used to hate fizzy water.

I always bought agua sin gas when traveling in Europe and for the first several months in Buenos Aires.  If I accidentally bought the wrong bottle at a kiosko, I would end up throwing it away and buying a regular water.

The locals I hung out with frequently ordered a sifón with dinner, and I finally decided to try it again.

 

Sure enough, it became part of my routine.

I ordered it in restaurants.

I even bought large plastic bottles from the grocery store to enjoy at home.

The one custom I do not miss is mixing soda de sifón with cheap (I mean really cheap) red wine.

I did try it once, and it was just as bad as it sounds.

Now that I am back in the US, I will occasionally buy sparkling water.  But without the fun spraying mechanism, it’s just not the same.

The sifón is such an important part of Argentine customs, it is even a topic for graffiti artists.

Photo from Flickr user gaucholadri

Have you had a sifón in Argentina?  Love it or hate it?

Plan a trip and learn more about Buenos Aires

This month I am highlighting Buenos Aires in celebration of the release of my Buenos Aires City Guide published by Indie Travel Media.  I put a lot into this project, and I am proud of the end product.  I love this city, and I want anyone who visits to use this guide to create a unique experience and enjoy the best of Buenos Aires.


Comments

  3. Yes, I love the sifón! I just visited friends who live a few hours south of Buenos Aires, and they have the modern version of the beautiful ones you posted above: a stainless steel container that you just fill with water and then charge with gas from a refillable canister! So cool.
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  7. I was not a fan of fizzy water. But it changed when I traveled to Europe. I ended up liking it, albeit gradually. I guess when I go to BA one day, I need to buy a sifón, not only for the water but also as a decorative element. They look really special with those colorful glass bottles!
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  9. Here’s an idea… get a penguin pitcher next time you’re in Buenos Aires so that once you’re back home, even if you can’t spray the fizzy water from a sifón, you can at least pour the red wine from a pingüino. They sort of go hand in hand.

  10. I didn’t try a sifón during my time in BA! I was too busy tasting the wine. 😉
    I miss BA as well. Currently learning Tango from a couple of Texans who also love Argentina!

  12. Cervantes has filed a protest with CFK over your slandering their cheap red wine.

    I still love the Sifon de Soda, but more and more places are phasing them out. I think that El Cuartito has said “chau sifon” and a couple of other places as well. :-( Even the real grocery stores are making it more and more difficult to find them.

    But nothing keeps the bubbles around longer, or is more fun to accidentally spray over yourself or the next table than a Sifon de Soda.

    PS- I just want to point out that the amazingly bitchin’ antique bottles in your awesome top photo are for viewing purposes only. I don’t want your other readers to think that these are actually functional anymore.

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  17. I’m a total addict of sifón. I was buying one of those big bottles for my apartment almost every day. I loved that fizzy taste.
    I also kind of liked it with red wine. I wouldn’t do that normally but I don’t think it’s that bad lol.

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