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Friday, January 17, 2014

Buenos Aires


Visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina

 January 2014

Getting on or flight to Argentina was a bit of a challenge in LAX.  Aeromexico staff would not let us board without the reciprocity fee payment and we could not find the documentation.  We are always so organized so this through us into a bit of a mess.  We had to connect to the internet and try to figure out how to get new documentation and print the information.  We managed to get what we needed 30 minutes before our flight left.  In Mexico City the man in the first class lounge told us he could have done it for us.  By this time we had already paid a second time to enter the country.  The flight from Mexico City was eight hours and the first class tickets were well worth the extra points.  We were able to lay down and sleep for part of the flight.  By the time we arrived in Buenos Aires we had been in transit for about 27 hours.

Traveling can be challenging at times.  Being in a new place without being able to speak the language is always exciting.  People are very helpful and a lot of people speak English.  Pointing on a map is also very helpful.  On the day we arrived we had an hours rest and then off for a walk.  We probably walked 3-4 kilometers getting orientated to the area around the hotel.  It was Friday evening so the downtown core was very busy as people left for the weekend[EF1] .

The next two days the city centre was quiet except for the demonstration on Plaza de Mayo.  We are not familiar with riot police and streets blocked by metal barricades that are over seven feet tall.  It was the drum beating that could easily excite a crowd of people.  This plaza is where Evita and other presidents would address the people in the square from the balcony of the Palace Rosa which is the president’s palace.  This building is only used as offices today.

On Saturday we walked toward the area where there is lots of green space which was once closed to the public and accessible to the dictator.  The area has several public parks, a Japanese Gardens, and Zoo.  We spent time in the Japanese Gardens.  The park area was very busy as people got outside from there apartments.  The art gallery that we visited was MALPA and houses a collection of modern Argentinians art.  This was very different.  We probably walked 6 km. today.  We also visited the cemetery and found Evita’s grave before returning to our hotel to a quick visit to the pool.

The evening was spent at the Argentine Experience.    We began the evening by learning how to mix cocktails from wine.  Bill did an excellent job mixing his cocktail that contained raspberries, blush wine and a splash of gin.  Then upstairs to make the empanadas.  Bill was worried that he would not be able to be successful with this activity but we both had a great time.  The pasty was already prepared so all be needed to do was fill the pastry fold in half and crimp the edge.  This was an excellent introduction to empanadas.  Can hardly wait to get home and try this out.  The rest of the dinner was wonderful and our wine glass was never empty of malbec wine.  Bill has never drank so much wine.  It was a good thing that we had paid for a private car to pick us up and return to the hotel. 

On Sunday we rode the subway to the San Telmo district to see the antique market.  The subway is not very clean but it is an inexpensive way to get around.  Coming home was more challenging as we had wanted to go to a different district.  When we were trying to figure out which line and were to be I noticed these two men following us.  They also changed direction when we did and ducked around corners.   We finally figured out which direction to go for the platform that we wanted and they were following another grey haired couple that had just gotten off another train.  While waiting for our train there was an announcement in Spanish.  Had no idea what was happening.  Then finally someone tried to tell us that the trains had been cancelled.  So we started all over trying to figure out which platform to get us back to our hotel.  When we got to the blue line we saw our two men again that had followed us before.  Bill was starting to be more conscious about his surroundings by this time.  When we finally got to our destination it was a relief to be out of the subway tunnels and above ground.  You only pay $3.50 pesos and you can ride the subway all day as we long as you stay underground. 

Later in the day we walked over to the Puerto Madero area.  This was the old dock area but has exclusive hotels, condos and restaurants today.  From this area there is an ecological area so we strolled along the walk way and into the reserve.  It was interesting to see the parrots flying around and we say an owl sleeping.  There was a lot of people so very difficult to see much.  Great area for families to be on a sunny Sunday in January.

Sunday night was another fantastic evening.  We had booked a Tango show with dinner.  The driver picked us up at 8:20 and drove us all around the city centre before arriving at the theatre.  From our balcony table we had an exceptional view of the stage.  Dinner was better than I expected and again the wine flowed freely all evening.  We both became mesmerized by the tango performance.  The orchestra was located above the dancers.  It was interesting to see the old accordions push boxes being played.  After the performance the driver was waiting to take us back to the hotel.

Monday is our last full day in Buenos Aires.  We walked to the Opera House – Teatro Colon and had a tour of the interior.  This building was built in 1908 and restoration was completed in 2010.  Walking along Avenue de Julio, which is a major roadway is truly an interesting experience.  Crossing the road is a major event.  You start by crossing two lanes of traffic going the same direction.  The next five lanes are going the same direction.  Then you get the centre of the road there are eight lanes of busses going both direction so you need to watch the crosswalk light carefully.  Now that you are half way across you still have the five lands and two lanes of traffic going the opposite direction than what you previously crossed.  It took us two or three crossing lights to cross the street.  This street has the Obelisco and the building with the Evita Perron mural.

On the last day we went for a drink in the Fena Hotel check this place out on line.  The  Puerto Madero area is certainly an upscale area with expensive restaurants, hotels and condos.  We ate at Osaka this restaurant prepares Asian fusion food.  This experience was our most expensive meal so far.  We had three different ceviche, sushi, main course and Bill enjoyed a chocolate molten lava cake with ice cream.  We decided to walk back to our hotel to help digest dinner.  
Buenos Aires is a busy city with lots of nightlife.  Get out and enjoy yourself in the evening.  Must people do not eat dinner until 9:00 pm.  It is easy to get use to eating later.

 

 


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