Bancar: tolerate, stand/ support

For example: “No me banco a tus amigos” (I can’t stand your friends); “Ella banca al gobierno” (she supports the government)

Che: Hey! (to catch someone’s attention)/ pal (to say hi)

For example: “Che, cómo te llamás?” (Hey, what’s your name?); “Hola, che” (Hi, pal)

Fiaca: lazy

For example: “No voy a trabajar, tengo fiaca” (I’m not going to work, I feel lazy)

Mina: woman

For example: “Ayer conocí a una mina increíble” (I met an incredible woman yesterday)

In the next Lunfardo Spanish classes, we’ll explore some more aspects of the fascinating porteño slang. Hope you can practice this words right away.

It’s only natural when you don’t know your way around a new city to end up taking taxis everywhere. But, in Buenos Aires taxi drivers will sometimes take advantage of a tourist’s ignorance to make some extra money. Make sure you read these tips to avoid getting ripped off.

There are many fake 20, 50 and 100 pesos bank notes circulating. One common scam consists of giving foreigners fake notes with their change. When you take a taxi in the evening, some taxi drivers may try to give you fake money taking advantage of the darkness and your lack of familiarity with our money. To minimize the chances of this happening, don’t pay the taxi fare with big notes and try to keep some change with you. If you are in doubt whether the money is good or not, pay attention to watermarks, texture and other safety.

Often taxi drivers will take a longer route to a destination if they sense that their passenger is a tourist who isn’t familiar with Buenos Aires.  Buying a map and acquainting yourself with the city and its major avenues is a good way to avoid this. An excellent resource is the Guia T, which can be purchased at any newsstand and gives you detailed maps of neighborhoods as well a guide to the colectivo (bus) routes.

Finally, a little bluffing can go a long way. Before leaving for your destination try to identify the cross streets of your address and then give those to the driver as opposed to the exact address.  For example instead of telling the taxi driver you are going to “1357 Laprida” you should tell them you are going to “Laprida entre Santa Fe y Charchas.”  This will indicate to the driver that you are knowledgeable of your destination and will deter them from taking a longer route.

(to see more pics and get more tips on identifying fake notes, go to http://www.mdku.com.ar/hdps/?p=249)

Being able to communicate with locals from Buenos Aires, Porteños, was educational and greatly enhanced my stay.  Taking Spanish lessons was key in helping me to understand the culture and the uniqueness of Buenos Aires in a more profound way and gave me a sense of being part of the city rather than just a tourist in it.

Best of all Porteños are so laid back and friendly that you will never feel intimidated practicing your Spanish with them while discovering the city and enjoying the vibrant nightlife. So taking a Spanish course should be just as high on your list of things do as eating a great steak!

Ashley Roy, 24, USA

They’re the best team in South America and the atmosphere at their stadium is electric; it has become world renowned for the passion displayed by both the crowd and the players. However before you go to La Bombonera (Boca Juniors stadium) be aware that the experience is not always easy. So make sure to read over these tips from a Boca fan expert.

It’s almost impossible to get tickets for any Boca game. Tickets are sold among the club members and to travel agencies. If you’re not a club member or friend of one you have two alternatives: one, get ripped off by the travel agencies, who will charge you no less than $150 for popular tickets that originally cost $24; or get ripped off but much less by the resellers in the streets surrounding the stadium, which although illegal is a very extended practice and seems to be fostered by the club and protected by the police. It is also your best option.

Go to La Boca about 2 hours before the match and walk the streets around the stadium. You don’t have to find the resellers, they will find you. They will approach and offer you tickets and ask for amounts ranging from $40 to $80 for a popular ticket (popular means there are no numbered seats, in fact there are no seats at all). Around $35 is reasonable for a regular league game, try to bargain or find another reseller until you get a fair price, especially if you are in a group (phrases like “es mucho” -it’s too much- or “tenemos treinta por cabeza” -we have 30 each- may help you. Taking some Spanish lessons while in BA, too!)

As regards to the popular tickets you have two choices: north or south. The southern popular is quieter, the northern one is more packed and the barrabravas (like the hooligans or violent fans) go there, but it’s also more exciting.

If you get tickets for the southern popular, go to the center of the second tray/floor to get the best view of the pitch. But make sure to find a place under the roof because the tray above holds the visitor fans, who derive much pleasure out of throwing things, spitting or even peeing on the Boca crowd below. This means you need to get into the stadium at least an hour before the match kicks off.

If you get tickets to the northern popular, find a place on either side of the second tray, away from the center where the barrabravas are (in fact you’ll see the center area is empty until a few minutes before the match. The barrabravas have earned the privilege of having their seats reserved after years of kicking asses). So, again, enter the stadium at least one hour before the start of the game.

Once you’ve found yourself the right spot, relax and enjoy the game and the atmosphere until the end of the first half. But be prepared for the half time whistle because as soon as the ref blows it you have to be readier than an Olympic runner to duck and sit down before everyone else does. If you are not fast enough you’ll have to endure the half time break standing like a palm tree in an ocean of heads.

When the match is over, whatever the final score is, the home crowd has to wait inside the stadium for about 30 minutes, until the visitor fans leave not only the stadium but the whole neighborhood. And once you’ve managed to get out, just follow the crowd, they will get you to the nearest avenue, where you may spend a lifetime waiting for a free cab or a bus that can accommodate at least your left foot, or you can walk on to San Telmo, Plaza Constitución (subway C) or Plaza de Mayo (subways A, D and E) to get transportation back home. This is probably the best option.

All this shouldn’t lessen your enthusiasm for going to the stadium. It is a one of a kind experience. Just be prepared to be patient and aware that the Boca experience is more difficult to maneuver than sporting events that you might be used to.

So, if you’re still planning on going to La bombonera -and I hope you are- enjoy and join the ever growing, ever proud, Boca crowd.