Running + Beer + Sightseeing = Awesome

There are a lot of things in this world that I like and when I can combine them, all the better.  (Well, except for maybe steak and ice cream, which should remain separate)  So, when I can combine running, drinking beer, and seeing a new city, it is a hard opportunity to pass up.

This past weekend we joined a local hashing group and ran around some of the more tourisy areas of Buenos Aires.  If you don't know what hashing is, it is basically like a scavanger hunt for beer.  The slogan of hashing is "Drinkers with a running problem".  Basically, people lay out a "trail" with different markers that point where the beer is at and then the runners follow these signs to the beer.  It gets a little more complicated as some of the markers lead the wrong direction or are intentionally vague as to make the runners run around in search of the right path.  If you think this sounds cool, you can probably find a local hash group by clicking here.  There are groups all over the world, even in the Congo.

First, the run started out with a briefing about the rules of the hash.  Some places have slightly different variations, so the rules are layed out clearly so that no one gets too lost, which has happened to me before (a long story for another time).


We started off in the downtown area and passed by stately architecture and large, steel concrete buildings.


We then continued on to the San Telmo region, best known as being the center of the tango culture there.  You will quite often find street tango shows who work for tips.  Mostly for the tourists, but, whatever.


Next, we continued to La Boca, a working-class neighborhood and artists' encleve.  It's a little rougher on this site of town, but more interesting photographs.  For you soccer/futbol fans, this area is home to the Boca Juniors team.


In La Boca, we have our "Beer stop" which is where, you guessed it, we stop and drink beer.  It happened to be next to a Russian Orthodox church, where I'm told every Sunday services are held in Russian.


From La Boca, we continue across the busy highway (not recommened) to Puerto Madero.  If you want to feel as if Latin America is really far away, this is the place to come.  In fact, standing near the river, we felt as if we were in London.  There's a song I heard where the singer talks about Puerto Madero and says "All the tourists come here and want to stay.  All the locals want to go to Spain and get away."  I could see that.  In any case, a great area for running.



Alas, despite all our attempts not to do so, we got lost.  Fortunately, we had someone with us who was a skilled navigator and he got us back to our starting point.  Of course, as is traditional Hash custom, we ended by drinking Down Downs (where people single out other people for doing dumb stuff while running and make them drink) and eating some fresh meat ala parrilla.