Brazil may be famous for carnival and Rio definitely has a well deserved reputation as the biggest, but if you can’t make it to Brazil this year why not try one of these.

Argentina; Gualeguaychú

With its 10 days of partying, 30,000 spectators,  hundreds of dancers, and only 3 hours from Buenos Aires,  Carnival at  Gualeguaychú is well worth a visit. Despite the huge number of visitors, the majority are Argentine and Uruguayan and it is still relatively unheard of in the wider tourist community. Rather than simply being a Rio wannabe, Gualeguaychú has urban tango and candombe dancing as well as the traditional samba.

Malta & Gozo

Costumes are key in the Carnival celebration on the Maltese island of Gozo. Some take the disguise aspect so seriously that they
will conceal their identities completely by remaining silent. The holiday has been celebrated in Malta since the 16th century, giving it a
momentum that has been building for hundreds of years. It lasts for 5 days.

Portugal; Madeira

The paint and plumage of Carnival costumes in Madeira, Portugal, reveal the vibrancy of one of Europe’s most famous street parties. As with many of the Carnival celebrations worldwide, Madeira’s is a burlesque. Costumes are caricatures of famous personages and parade floats are
fun-poking allegories on wheels. After four days of fiesta, the revelry finally winds down for the seriousness of lent.

Unlike in Rio, the dances in Oruro never change because each one corresponds to a Bolivian folk story. The Caporales dancers shown below
are presenting the story of the Yungueno slaves, and their rich costumes show the money that their slave owners paid for (and profited from) them.

An intermingling of pagan beliefs with the Catholic faith, typical Bolivian dance groups like the Morendaas, Tinus, Caporales and Llameradas parade through
town and act out myths from Bolivian culture while dressed in elaborate garb that has taken the entire year to fashion. Two of the major players are the
devil and the archangel and when they both arrive in the Carnival stadium on Sunday morning before Lent, there is a battle of dance that symbolises the
confrontation of good and evil.

Often it is the first time the kids have had an au pair and so their knowledge of a second language is limited. Don’t give up and revert to Spanish, here are some tips to break the ice and get them introduced to you and your funny language!!
1. Music – kids love music. Start with a game like musical statues, or dance with a balloon (pair the kids up and they have to dance together keeping their balloon wedged between their tummies and off the ground). Try teaching them a song. Ones with actions work best. My favourite is old MacDonald
2. Get cooking – everyone loves food. So why not introduce the kids to your mother’s favourite cookie recipe, or cupcakes.
3. Gymnastics – depending on the age, you can show the kids how to do a rolly polly, support them doing a handstand or turn that handstand into a wheelbarrow race!
4. Make dough – easy peasey all you need is flour, salt and water. Create your shapes (mermaids, action man, turtles have been favourites in the past), bake them for 30 mins and then paint
5. Stuck in the mud – an old favourite but always popular. Gets the kids running around and breaks down any shy barriers

I have been working as a live out au pair for the last 5 months, looking after wonderful twin girls. I admit at first we struggled to understand each other; their previous au pair before me was from the USA so they had to get used to my British accent, and I to their Porteño, but now I couldn’t be happier! Whenever I walk through the door I’m greeted by shouts of “Can we play Harry Potter?”, they are possibly Argentina’s biggest HP fans. Luckily, it’s passion I share with them, so we fill hours with magical adventures.  I’ve found it’s great to slip in some language building activities too, under the guise of a magical challenge, or a lesson in Hogwarts.
The family as a whole is so welcoming, inviting me for meals and taking me along on days out. Not only does it mean a lot to me when I’m so far away from my own family, but it also means I’ve seen and experienced so much more of the city. It’s been an amazing learning experience for both them and me. The twins are always teaching me new words in Spanish and sharing with me the things they like best about being a kid in Argentina, and for my part, I’m just so proud hearing the kids become more and more fluent in English!

I arrived in Argentina a few months ago and got to Buenos Aires last month. I was a bit overwhelmed when I arrived, I am from a small village in the UK and to come to hustling bustling city and not know anyone was the biggest challenge I have faced so far.

I decided to become an au pair as I love children and wanted to improve my Spanish. I am so glad I made that decision. Through au pair in Argentina I have been placed with a wonderful family who have made me feel extremely welcome and have helped introduce me to the real “Argentine” life. Within my first few days we had had an asado (Argentine BBQ), I had been taken to watch a milonga and was introduced to the disgusting mate (apparently I will acquire a taste for it!).

I also love working with the children. I adore arts and crafts and so this job really allows my creative side to come out. I feed off the children’s enthusiasm and every day we spend hours covered in glue, glitter, paint and smiles, I love it! Tomorrow we are going to make cupcakes and I can’t wait.

I have also met lots of other au pairs through Au Pair in Argentina. We went on a bike tour last week around the city which was really good fun, I didn’t realise there were so many bike lanes, and nice parks to visit!

Despite feeling a little overwhelmed when I first arrived, Buenos Aires is definitely starting to feel like home now. I love how friendly everyone is, I love the energy and vibrance of the people and the city and the meat is out of this world!

TIlly Morrison

I arrived in Argentina a few months ago and got to Buenos Aires last month. I was a bit overwhelmed when I arrived, I am from a small village in the UK and to come to hustling bustling city and not know anyone was the biggest challenge I have faced so far.

I decided to become an au pair as I love children and wanted to improve my Spanish. I am so glad I made that decision. Through au pair in Argentina I have been placed with a wonderful family who have made me feel extremely welcome and have helped introduce me to the real “Argentine” life. Within my first few days we had had an asado (Argentine BBQ), I had been taken to watch a milonga and was introduced to the disgusting mate (apparently I will acquire a taste for it!).

I also love working with the children. I adore arts and crafts and so this job really allows my creative side to come out. I feed off the children’s enthusiasm and every day we spend hours covered in glue, glitter, paint and smiles, I love it! Tomorrow we are going to make cupcakes and I can’t wait.

I have also met lots of other au pairs through Au Pair in Argentina. We went on a bike tour last week around the city which was really good fun, I didn’t realise there were so many bike lanes, and nice parks to visit!

Despite feeling a little overwhelmed when I first arrived, Buenos Aires is definitely starting to feel like home now. I love how friendly everyone is, I love the energy and vibrance of the people and the city and the meat is out of this world!

Tilly Morrison

Gracias Mariel!

La experiencia nos ha enriquecido y nos ha resultado positiva.

La atención tuya, fue siempre excelente.

Gracias por darnos a conocer este sistema, estamos contentos de haber formado parte.

Having never been to Argentina before, let alone Buenos Aires I wasn’t at all sure what to expect. So many of my friends had come and gone before me, each with a very different tale of the city. When I arrived I was overwhelmed by just how huge the city is. Coming from London I thought I would find it easy living in another capital city but it certainly took a few days getting used to-especially the bus system! I’ve been here for over a month now and love the porteño way of life.

Working in Argentina has provided me with a different outlook on the country and Buenos Aires in general. So many people I have met have come to Buenos Aires simply to travel and learn the language but I think working in a place is the only real way to get to know somewhere. In particular, working for a family really allows you to get to know authentic Argentinean culture. I’ve certainly learned a lot more Spanish by working here (one of my original goals) and also learned so much about the culture, food (dulce de leche anyone?!) Of course there are still things that I will never be able to get my head around, like how the bank system works and the strange Argentinean obsession with queuing…even at bus stops! But this all helps to enrich the experience I’m having here and I certainly wouldn’t change it for the world!

My experience here has been so rewarding that I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in children and other cultures. Au Pair in Argentina made my transition out here so smooth and I am grateful for all their support over the time I have been here and am looking forward to the next few months!

Zoe Jepson

Au Pair Diary from Buenos Aires

I have been working as an aupair in Buenos Aires, for nearly 5 months now.  I am having a fantastic time and loving every minute and although I am supposed to go home in a month I am very tempted to extend my stay.

I look after 2 children of 5 and 8 and although at times they can be difficult, I find that the most of the time I am giggling to myself about something they have said, or I am feeling really warm and happy for a compliment they have paid me. I didn’t have that much experience with children before doing this job, but now I think I have found my niche. Children are so honest, their outlook on life so refreshing and never before have I had such job satisfaction.

My hours are pretty flexible and fit around the Spanish classes and various activities I want to do.  I try to combine what I learn in class with speaking with the family and I have found that has really helped to boost my Spanish and has meant I have been able to meet Argentines and really immerse myself in the culture. I went with the family to Punta for a week which was also great. A place there is no way I could have visited if I was paying!

I would recommend au pairing to anyone, for language, cultural immersion, changing your outlook on life, and making you stronger. It is definitely one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done.

Helen Cooper