Recap: [In-Person] Argentina, July 19, 9 años de Connect: Festejando por Retiro

Hi everyone!

This is the recap of the meet-up 9 años de Connect: Festejando por Retiro (9 years of Connect: Celebrating in Retiro), a meet-up to celebrate Connect’s birthday, part of the Unofficial LocalGuidesConnect Worldwide 9th Birthday Celebration #LGCB we’ve been having every year organized by @KashifMisidia.

This meet-up included two great spots in the city I’ve been meaning to go during a meet-up for years! And we also got some food at the end as we always do, and to celebrate.

The LGs that joined the meet-up were: @AdroGran, @CamilaPardo, @Wicle96, @Maximilianozalazar, @TheFranco, @natasciuto, @TheCrisSandoval, @EugeGallardo, @Mc_Germi, and me.

Because the first stop is actually very known, I set up two starting times so people could join us at both or just one of the places.

:tokyo_tower:First spot: Torre Monumental (Monumental Tower)

I waited for everyone right in front of it! With lollipops ready.

This very touristic 60-metre tower is in the centre of the biggest part in the Retiro neighborhood. It’s nice to look at, and because of all the space and area that surrounds it, also has great views!

It’s also called Torre de los Ingleses (English Tower), as it was built by British residents in 1916.

:wheelchair_symbol:Accessibility: Unfortunately, the entrance isn’t wheelchair accessible, and the elevator and space at the top are too small for wheelchairs to enter. I saw no accessibility aids of any kind either.

:train:Second spot: Museo Nacional Ferroviario (National Railway Museum)

Most attendees joined here, at one of the few museums we had yet to visit on meet-ups :sweat_smile:

We waited a bit for everyone to join us at the entrance, so I entertained them by recording a fun small video hehe

This museum is very close to the Retiro train terminal, so besides the historical trains and wagons, you have a nice view of the current trains. We entered just in time for the guided visit of this area, with very fun guides (besides ourselves :zany_face:)

We also had to take some photos of us!

After that, we continued to the rest of the museum, that had interesting historical machines, and spit jars :grinning_face:

They even have a computer set up with a train simulator! It reminded me of @PaulPavlinovich :slight_smile:

We spent some time there trying to figure out the game controls.

:wheelchair_symbol:Accessibility: About physical accessibility, the museum has a good accessible ramp at the entrance, but has an inaccessible second floor (no elevator).

About accessibility for the visually impaired that, the guides pointed out the tactile pavement that we can find next to all train and subway tracks, and explained how people can use them.

After the museum, we looked for a good place to have coffee and cake! We actually took advantage of the cinema seats of the museum while we browsed our options in Maps, but still ended up making two stops when we were out as we didn’t realize how small the first one was when we checked on Maps. It now has some more photos of the place though :grin:

Still, the one we went to was very close to the first option, and it was great!

:hot_beverage:Third spot: Gabán Café - Bike Bar

This place had good sweet and salty options, and even though the menu doesn’t clearly show it, it does have vegetarian :leafy_green:options, though no vegan or nothing marked sugar free or for those with celiac disease. It was good enough for us, but not the most inclusive.

We all ordered a snack, lots of us just coffee and medialunas (similar to croissants).

@Eugegallardo ordered a carrot cake, which was perfect to celebrate Connect’s birthday! She even brought the hand-made decor she always brings.

:wheelchair_symbol:Accessibility: It seemed like they had no accessible entrance at first, but then we saw a second entrance with no stairs! It seemed like a relaxing environment too, good for neurodivergent people and with good lighting for people with hearing impairments.

And that was it! It was a fun day with interesting places (I hope all the attendees can say the same!). It also was a busy weekend for everyone as we were celebrating Friends Day in Argentina (this was our celebration too!) and the sun had already set, so after that we all just went our own ways.

For more photos, feel free to check our shared album :slight_smile:

Thank you for reading!

37 Likes

What a cheers
Like you all made the meet up so lively, meaningful and help wothy.
Just wow And beautiful
Congratulations @Jesi

4 Likes

I loved everything! The photos were great.Nothing better than spending them with friends and vibrating high… The energy was very felt :star::star::star:
@Jesi @AdroGran :people_hugging:

2 Likes

Looks like you had a great meet-up, @Jesi
A big hug to all the BA community from Italy.
P.s. : did you had also a birthday cake :shortcake::birthday_cake:?

4 Likes

Amazing and inspiring post @Jesi thank you so much :star_struck:

2 Likes

Thank you @Trishatishu! It was very fun, hopefully one day we can attend an in-person meet-up together!

2 Likes

Me encanta que lo hayas disfrutado Maxi!! Yo también :smiley:
Le pusiste una re onda a las fotos grupales! Se nota la energía positiva que le ponés :heart:

1 Like

Thank you @ErmesT! it was very fun :partying_face:
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a candle this time, but there should be a birthday cake for Argentina Local Guides’s birthday in a couple of weeks :eyes: :partying_face:

2 Likes

Thanks your share! Very nice to steam train experience

1 Like

The photos explain what an amazing time you guys had there and that photo album is also very good.

Congratulations on a successful meetup @Jesi

Nice post @Jesi
Glad to see a smile :blush: on everyone’s face… :clap::bouquet:

Ein interessantes Treffen @Jesi die Bilder und die Beschreibung gefällt mir sehr gut :folded_hands:

Excellent post detailing a wonderful day spent with LGs. Food, ambience and the places all are amazing. I specially loved the National Railway Museum. We have one here in my city too, and I’m fascinated with train journeys. Thanks @Jesi

Wonderful recap @Jesi! I love to see all the fun places you packed in for your meetup. Love the accessibility notes you made too on each place.
And the carrot cake sounds delicious and also perfectly color-themed for Google Guides orange too. :heart:

That’s looks like a perfect gathering :smiling_face:
I’m so glad to see many familiar happy faces in the meetup.
Thank you so much @Jesi for organizing such a lovely meetup on my call :folded_hands:t3:

It was a very beautiful event. Reading the post and looking at the pictures, I feel like I was there too. :sparkles::sparkles: