Virtual Walk-Through

We just moved into a great new apartment in San Telmo for our final weeks here in Argentina. A new area, a new attitude. Here's a walk-through:

Through the front door into the inner atrium

Nice tiles

Through the next door

Through a courtyard

Under a couple arches

Past the stairs and the elevator shaft

Past the old bathtub full of rocks and some plants

Under a couple more arches and past the garbage cans

Up a few stairs

To the left through the garden

Down the path

Up the stairs

More plants!

This is our high-tech security system

Through the front door

And there it is!

The GIBRALTAR

The Gibraltar is probably the nicest English pub in San Telmo, with it's dark wood, draft ales, plethora of whiskeys and traditional English grub. But like so many other impersonators, The Gibraltar just falls short of the originals it tries so hard to replicate. However, The Gibraltar cannot be blamed entirely for its shortcomings because (although I know a lot of people who would disagree) the English cuisine is a delicacy that needs to meet exact specifications in order to be recognizable. Beans on toast? Only if they're Heinz. Binoffe pie? It better have a thick layer of gooey toffee in the middle.

It was nice to order these things, and if I had no prior knowledge of what an English breakfast or a binoffe pie is supposed to taste like I would've still loved every bite. It's just that if you go to The Gibraltar looking for a piece of England, remember that the real thing is far better than the knock-off.
One thing that was an exact tranferance was the Manc-y bartender whose idea of a good joke is this:
"I've been married three times you know."
Me: "Oh wow, really?"
"Yeah, my first wife died from eating poisoned mushrooms."
Me: "That's bizarre."
"Yeah, then my second wife died from eating poisoned mushrooms too."
Me: "Oh my God, what?"
"And then I beat the third wife to death because she wouldn't eat the poisoned mushrooms"
Me: (I didn't understand a word of his punchline through his heavy accent, but he was laughing so I figured it was a joke I hadn't picked up on. Graham later told me the punchline and I swallowed the last quarter of my cider in two gulps and booked it out of there).

The Gibraltar, Peru 895 y Estados Unidos, San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Gil ANTIGUEDADES

I have seen the holy grail of vintage and its name is Gil Antiguedades. And it is run by this lady.

Her name is Maria Ines Gil and she started collecting clothes when she was 15. Some years later her husband, no doubt in an effort to free up some space in their house, suggested that she should open up a shop. The result is the basement level of this antique shop, filled to the brim with antique hats, gloves, bags, wallets, purses, scarves, jackets, shoes, dresses, blouses, skirts and fabric. She has everything from no-name skirts to Yves Saint Lauren dresses, all beautifully preserved and encased in plastic wrapping to continue to protect them and make for easier perusal. The range of items she has is amazing, I found a bull fighters jacket from the early 20th century that I was tempted to try on, until I saw the price tag ($500 US), then in the same breath I turned around and there was a short sleeved mink jacket that I was even more covetous of ($550). Graham checked out the men's section, which was admittedly scarce compared with the rest of the shop, but was impressed with the dinner jackets from the 20s and 30s.

To see the collection you have to specifically ask to be shown the clothes, which I'm sure is a security measure rather than some sort of clubish exclusivity, however you can't help but feel like you've just been admitted into the hottest spot in town when you walk down the stairs and the plethora of clothes is just so exciting that you start to giggle a little. For any vintage enthusiast or someone who likes the thrill of the hunt or even anyone with a passing interest in clothes, this place is a must stop on any trip to the city. And I solemnly swear, for anyone who wants to visit me, I will take you here and make you buy something.



Maria and her husband have recently bought a historical building a couple of blocks down the street and after some renovations hope to open up another store strictly for antique wedding dresses and fabric. Suddenly I'm thinking getting married in a dress older than your grandmother would be a fantastic idea.

Click here to see their website!
Gil Antiguedades: Humberto 412, C1103ACJ Bs.As. Argentina