Most people are used to a daily routine that in many ways involves drinking coffee or tea. Its a ritual in which we feel more connected to others, satisfied about the choices made throughout the day or simply enjoy the taste of what in some parts of the world consider a delicacy. Coffee and tea have always been and continues to be a staple commodity across the world. From movies, books, blogs, songs, fair trade and peace initiatives, its more trendy than ever! In Buenos Aires, its not any different than any other major metropolis. 

For a traveler, you can feel comfortable knowing that they are plenty of options for you to get the right cup of joe. Buenos Aires is known to many around the world as the "Paris of South America," and its easy to understand why. The busy streets house tons of cafes that provide not only a selection of coffee concoctions but also serve meals and tend to be open late into the evening. As an American, some might assume that we all are obsessed with Starbucks considering how many we have within our boarders and all over the world. However, we've become educated coffee connoisseurs over the years similar to many non-European countries. Coming to Buenos Aires I did have quite high expectations. 

As a coffee snob, I learned a few things in Buenos Aires  that made more enjoyable my afternoon trips to different cafes around the city. First, there's a lot of Italian cultural influence in Argentina especially in the language and food. If you review a menu you will quickly notice some slight differences in the words used for simple coffee orders such as, single or double espresso, latte and cappuccino. Among some blogs I look to for guidance while I live in Buenos Aires, one that gives you a rather detailed list of coffee terms to remember when ordering at a cafe (Wander Argentina: http://wander-argentina.com/coffee-culture-ordering/). I felt so much more like a local and sophisticated having a better handle of the terminology.

Aside from using the appropriate words for your coffee of choice, its equally important to remember how the coffee is made and how it tastes here. Its bitter, stronger to some, expensive and for my fellow Americans I send a warning since the to-go cups are much smaller than you'd get at Dunkin Donuts. Third, cafes are places where people study, meet with friends or family and take the time to rest and relax. When I go to a cafe, I do so with no other plans made. Like most things, going to a cafe is like taking a long break at work. The wait staff will give you what you ordered and leave you alone for as long as you wish to stay. Coming from a New York-mentality its hard to break the habit of rushing and planning every minute of your life. However, remember you are a tourist in another country where time is your friend. 

So in an effort to blend in, I ventured to a number of cafes and coffee shops recommended on my beloved foodie app, Yelp. We went to El Gato Negro which is one of the more popular and famous cafes in the city. Its centrally located on Av. Corrientes with reasonable prices considering it's in a rather touristy area. What is unique about this place is the ambiance of herbs and spices they sell in addition to the traditional cafe items. Great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets to drink espresso and a torta (cake) while reading a newspaper.

Another place I liked also highly recommended on Yelp is in San Telmo called Lumino. Its off the main street (Defensa) for the Sunday market and the perfect place to have a light meal or coffee anytime during the day. Despite my nervousness to go somewhere without browsing Yelp, going to any cafe within walking distance to your hotel is worth exploring. The locals might have an opinion about what are the best cafes in the city but to the novice like me, perhaps suggestions on this list published by the Argentinian Independent are helpful (URL: http://www.argentinaindependent.com/life-style/food-drink/top-5-places-to-drink-good-coffee/). 

Coffee is a universal staple bringing people together. Its an art form, a language that everyone understands in his and her own way. While I'm living in Buenos Aires I choose to embrace the cafe lifestyle as much as I can. So far it's helped me appreciate more the Argentinian culture and take some of it with me when I return home. Maybe start a new routine of my own, one that is more relaxed and consensus of being in the bliss with every sip!

Palermo by night

Obviously, Palermo is one of the parts of Buenos Aires, where people spend long nights out, as there are a lot of restaurants, bars and clubs inviting you with nice rooftop terraces, lights that create a romantic atmosphere and live music. There are special places like the Mundo Lingo Club, where you get stickers with the languages you speak and you want to learn to put onto your shirt, and that is how you get to know people and improve your skills. What you will notice is that there are above all international students, more than Argentinians. The reason might be that many of the places in Palermo are quite fancy.

A lot more during the day

Anyway, never mind if you like the night life of the richer neighbourhoods in the northern parts of Buenos Aires, during the day, there is a lot to do in Palermo: you can relax your body going for a walk in the green parts of that zone but also do something intellectual and find new inspiration at the cultural spots. In the Japonese garden, you can reach both of these aims at the same time, getting to know the ideas and traditions of the Far East referring to gardening while you calm down in the quiet atmosphere with a lot of style and creativity and a meditative aura. There is a shop where they sell Asian plants and you have the option to have a drink or lunch in the restaurant. Besides the Japonese garden, there are a lot more green places in Palermo, for example the Botanic Garden with flowers and trees from all over the planet or the Rose Garden, which is a popular motive for Buenos Aires postcards and a nice background for your photos.

Places of fascination

Who wants to see more marvellous nature of that universe but is bored by only walking around in the parks, can go to the Planetarium Galileo Galilei in Buenos Aires, which is in the northeast of Palermo. There, watching one of the shows, you can study the formations of the stars and admire their dimensions and maybe you will begin to feel like a part of it all and connected in some way – maybe as it happened to Eva Perón, the great idole for human rights in Argentina. You can discover her story and her impressive successes in the Museum Evita, which is located in the neighborhood of Palermo as well. You will note that her fame is justified: In her short life of only 33 years, she tried everything to improve the social aid system and to support children, women, workers and all the people who lived in complicated conditions. Furthermore, she reformed the health standards in the country. The museum presents those aspects in its rooms forming a chronological timeline about her biography, which makes her vision and motivation more understandable. It is located in the home of a former project of the Foundation Eva Perón.

Free spirits

If you want to get to know more freethinkers with great ideas, you can visit the Malba museum which is neither far from Palermo towards Recoleta. There, you can find Latin American contemporary works of artists of various styles, each one sharing a part of his mind and his story in his pictures and sculptures by the materials and colors he has been using. Bring your student identification card for both of the museums, as you will get a discount.

He later tells me that he is beginning to realise that this experience has taught him never to give up on his dreams, even if it is a struggle to make it all work out at first, ' You need to outgrow yourself", a line I personally appreciate as a wise lesson for all of us who come here to find out some things about us and the new world that surrounds us.