La Casa de Pichincha is the main student house of Kulturstudier. They also have another building in San Telmo called Casa Peru. There are about 30 people living here and we stay in rooms of two to four. Upstairs we have the kitchen where we have our own shelves in the refrigerator that we share with our roommates. Some people like to cook together, but most of us usually make our own food and then eat together. There is always someone upstairs in the kitchen/dining room, so if you have been out or have just been in your room you can easily socialise. It’s also nice to do homework in the dining room as the lighting is good. Then you can always ask anyone for help with Spanish or any other subject. However, there’s a library on the second floor where you also can work or read if you’d like.

 

Outside there’s a roof terrace where you can relax when the weather is good or drink wine in the evening before going out. If you want to act as a porteño, you can make yourself mate (tea) and share with friends. The house has some mate cups with the “bombilla” the straw you use to drink mate. This is popular drink in several South American countries, but how you prepare it varies from country to country. It consists of herbs and water. Mate tastes like strong green tea, and is filled with caffeine.

 

Most Argentinians don’t go out to a bar before 22.00 and the night clubs open at 2 am and close in the morning. Therefore, we often have a “vors” before going out. Sometimes we have social gatherings as an Argentinian “asando” or taco night. These are often quite popular as the food is great and is cooked by a chef. This is organised by Mariano, the house manager.

 

Downstairs there’s a ping pong table where you can play whenever you’d like, sometimes people get a bit competitive! There’s also a laundry room and some nice hangout places outside like the hammock. When the weather gets warmer many will probably hang out here more often as well.

 

The house is quite big and located in the neighbourhood or “barrio” of San Cristobal. The Subte, the Argentinian metro, is close so there’s no trouble getting around in Buenos Aires.

Downstairs

The kitchen

-Elisabeth-