We had perfect weather and two full days to enjoy Buenos Aires. I always thought Paris was the city of “Love” but it has nothing on BA. It was extremely clean, safe, and friendly and full of manicured plaza’s and gardens. Not to mention unbelievably affordable!!! You would never guess it has 11 million people living in such harmony. PDA is seen everywhere! Founded in 1580, it is filled with architectural diversity.
We spent the first day exploring the downtown area from the Plaza De Mayo to the famous Café Tortoni (Tango Hall) to the Casa Rosado (Government House) we walked the bustling Florida Street area where you can often see the tango dancers performing on the sidewalk. There were blocks of shops with leather, cashmere, Rhodochrosite jewelry (national gem stone) and other fine items to purchase as well as typical tourist items. That evening we took a ship excursion to a Tango House where we experienced Argentine beef, empanadas and an endless supply of local wine. The show was FANTASTIC! The most impressive tango music and dancing I’ve ever experienced. Extremely professional!
When we came out of the show at 9:30pm and it was still daylight, I realized that the further south we go, the longer the days are becoming. By the time we go around the horn, it will be like an Alaska summer.
We then returned to the ship to enjoy another Folkloric dance presentation including Gaucho Dancers, Zambe, and other local dance and music demonstrations. I learned just how connected Uruguay and Argentina are in their history and cultures.
The second day, we teamed up with our friends Steve and Tony , used taxi’s and explored other areas of this massive city including La Boca (very colorful port town), Recoleta, where we saw Evita’s tomb and Palermo (the Hollywood of BA) full of spectacular Japanese and rose gardens and other wonderful green spaces. Everywhere you look there are breath taking sculptures and blossoming trees. This is definitely a city worth returning to spend more time.
I did try both days to get pics posted. The first day the internet café did not have Picasa downloaded for me to post pics for a slide show and they would not allow me to add it. I didn’t have a cable for my camera to upload some directly from the camera. I tried going back at 11 pm to try again, this time with my own computer, but the internet was not working. Day two I waited for more than an hour, but with only four computers and four ships in port, they were in high demand and I was not able to get one to use. I will try again in Montevideo tomorrow.
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