This October and November, we are returning to the “fair winds” of Buenos Aires for all the culture, inspiration, and vibrancy this diverse city has to offer. Here is a Q&A with the ladies that make it all happen!
A message from Unsettled VP of Experience, Lala Franklin-Apted…
We already had a deep love for Buenos Aires, long before Clara Mastronardi joined us in Bali two years ago for a month of living Unsettled. But Clara radiates a particular kind of energy and enthusiasm, one that has the special ability to reignite a sense of wonder and adventure in even the smallest details. So when she came to us after seven months of traveling the world with the desire to help people live Unsettled in Argentina, we knew that her version of Buenos Aires would be one we had to explore! Fast forward to now and she’s shared her love of travel with many Unsettlers and will be heading back to where it all started for four months in tropical Bali with four new awesome batches of international and intrepid adventurers. We can’t wait to see what she makes of her next Unsettled journey… but we know, no matter what, Buenos Aires will always have her heart. Lucky us!
Our Q&A with Clara Mastronardi, Experience Leader
Q) Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is a current word or intention in your life? A) Adventure plays a huge role in my life and I try to live by it every day! Adventures feed my soul, they keep my body and my mind active and in a constant exploration mood. An adventure can be anything: a meditation session, a walk to the park, a hard conversation, hiking a mountain or getting to know someone. A new lesson is a new adventure, always!
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Q) What do you think makes Buenos Aires a unique place to Live Unsettled?
A) Buenos Aires has a bit of everything for everyone! Whether you are a foodie, an arts lover, a salsa dancer or a nature hunter, you can feel at home while being in BA! I believe BA’s uniqueness is rooted in its contrasts: the European influence mixed with the South American vibe makes Buenos Aires somewhere where you can feel at ease but at the same time, surprised at every corner.
Q) Where is a favorite weekend getaway location from Buenos Aires?
A) Bariloche in Patagonia! It’s technically not a weekend getaway because if I could, I’d go there for weeks! But it works perfectly for me to go there for 3 days. Ineffable mountains, pristine lakes, clear blue skies, the most breathtaking views, and challenging but rewarding hikes, make it a great place to reconnect, reboot and reset. For something that’s closer, I choose the Delta Tigre. There are a few things that can compete with watching the sunset by the river while having some mate with friends!
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Q) While leading an Unsettled retreat, where do you go for a quiet moment?
A) The Bosques de Palermo (“Palermo Woods”) are a perfect green oasis in the middle of the city, a perfect spot to meditate or just chill with a book! The Rose Garden or the Japanese Garden are my absolute favorites! The best times to go to the rose garden are in Spring (September to December), when the roses are in bloom, and for the Japanese Garden I would say in August, to hunt some cherry blossoms! But they are beautiful and peaceful all year round.
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Q) Please share a favorite story from an Unsettled: Buenos Aires retreat. Something bizarre? Something inspiring?
A) Oh man, so many inspiring stories! I could write pages and pages but for the sake of this blog post, I’ll share one from last March. Right at the beginning of the retreat, a participant shared with the group that she didn’t know how to ride a bicycle and that one of her goals for the trip was to actually learn. I offered to teach her (never done it before!), she said yes, and that same week we started with our regular biking lessons. And only after 3, she was riding a bike! It ended up being one of the most fulfilling adventures I’ve experienced in my life. I admire her will power, her ability to laugh when she couldn’t make it, and to celebrate every small win. Pure inspiration! 
Q) Last but not least, where are you heading next? And what are you most looking forward to this summer? A) I’m heading to Bali this Summer! Super excited to get back to the island that stole my heart back in 2017. I’m really looking forward to breathe in some island air, connect with the rich Balinese culture, and share that experience with participants from all around the globe! Oh, and learn some Bahasa! Can’t wait!
Our Q&A with Victoria Viola, Buenos Aires Location Manager
A message from Unsettled Co-founder, Michael Youngblood… Vicky is one of us, which is to say, she loves creating experiences, her career path has taken her through a diverse and winding path full of learning, and she’s an expert in how to live Unsettled. Before working with Unsettled, she was a Location Director for films being produced in Buenos Aires. In this role, she welcomed the cast and crew, setup local logistics, and prepared the daily film production schedule with local knowledge in mind. What more could you ask of an Unsettled Location Manager? Well, there is actually a lot more to her. Read below and see for yourself.
Q) Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is a current word or intention in your life?
A) Apart from working as a Location Manager for Unsettled, I am an actress, a Mom (I have a one-year-old kid!) and I also work in social media for some Argentinian brands. I current word in my life is “flexibility” because I try to organize everything to make all things possible to happen, but I have to keep in mind that I have to be flexible because I am only one person doing three tasks at the same time. “Flexibility” was our word during my pregnancy and having my kid, and it still is my word now.
Q) What do you think makes Buenos Aires a unique place to Live Unsettled?
A) I believe Buenos Aires is a unique place to have an Unsettled experience because it is an interesting blend of architecture, art, and food from both Europe and Latin America. The art scene and the music scene is super different, and you have amazing places only one hour away from the city, where you can enjoy the river, the countryside, and if you have more time on long weekends you can travel to other amazing places. Buenos Aires is super vibrant, alive, and has this beautiful combination of European taste and Latin warmth.
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Q) Where is a favorite weekend getaway location from Buenos Aires?
A) I love going to Tigre! You go by train for thirty minutes and you get to a “delta” area, which is a group of islands with water and lots of greenery and trees. There you can relax, eat beautiful food, and practice water sports. It is a great way of relaxing without having to travel for a long time.
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Q) What are three words you would use to describe the city of Buenos Aires?
A) Vibrant, hip, and warm! These are three words I would use to describe our city and our people.
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Q) What is a “you must not miss” site/food/experience for all adventurers who come to Buenos Aires?
A) There are so many things to choose from! But I would say a very nice steak at Don Julio, or going to La Bomba del Tiempo on Mondays. These are two things you should not miss in Buenos Aires.
Q) What is one Spanish phrase anyone that comes to Buenos Aires should know before they arrive? And what does it mean?
A) “La ciudad de la furia” (the city of fury). It is a lyric from an Argentinian songwriter, that talks about how passionate and alive portenos are (that is how we call ourselves – ‘people from the port’). Buenos Aires is truly the city that never sleeps!
Cover photo: Alumni Alisa Anderson
Ready to explore Buenos Aires this Fall? Join us for Unsettled: Buenos Aires in October OR November 2019
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Growth | Meaning | Adventure
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