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Buenos Aires – Last day

In the entry way

Kind of looks like Rome!

Different designs from one grave to the next

A look inside finds caskets with silver hardware

Inside one, caskets stacked on top of each other

Some older ones are breaking up

Eva Peron’s grave, still very popular

Pastry bar

Inside Cafe Tortoni
Buenos Aires – Day 3 and Tango show
We walked a lot today… a lot. We left the hotel, walked up to the 9th of July Avenue (incidentally, this is the widest avenue in the world) and headed east. Along the way we saw restaurants, stores and businesses. After a half mile or so we ended up at El Obelisco. This is a national historic monument and icon of Buenos Aires. Located in the Plaza de la República, in the intersection of avenues Corrientes and 9 de Julio, it was built to commemorate the fourth centenary of the first foundation of the city.
Here we took a little detour down Lavalle St. This is a pedestrian only street, filled with shops of every kind, money changers (the dollar is in huge demand) and restaurants. Ida found two nice leather purses, and with the US Dollar, she got a great price.
We walked back to the Teatro Colon, an opera theater built at the turn of the 1900’s. Patterned after Italian and French examples, it is a beautiful and elaborate structure. It is large, will hold around 3,000 people and still no amplification is needed. It is said to have the best acoustics in a large hall in the world. Most impressive.
After our theater tour we walked back to the hotel on Lavalle and Florida Streets. Once again, stores and eating establishments everywhere… and lots and lots of people. And it isn’t even evening yet!
This evening we took in a dinner Tango show. It was thrilling to sea and hear the Tango, performed by Argentinians, in Argentina!

An elaborat balony railing

Early morning walk on Lavalle Street

Government buildings

Great hallway, where the rich people gathered during intermission

Balcony suites, left side

Boxes and stage

Main floor and “widow’s boxes”

Inside the Tango Theater

John and Romola

Les and Ida

Tango show
Buenos Aires evening
We are staying in a neighborhood where night time activities can be somewhat sketchy. Nevertheless, we had to eat, so off we went to a place recommended by our hotel (Don Ernesto’s). We had an excellent meal, starting with a very nice salad, with lots of hearts of palm. Our main course consisted of two huge cuts of meat: a rib eye, and a filet. Washed down with a very good Malbec, we needed the 8 block walk home.
But when we got outside we saw a wine shop, where we met an owner most willing to please. We bought another bottle of Malbec, Ida got a unique Malbec rose and a fine drinking Malbec. Ours is for consumption at the hotel, Ida had hers packed for travel.
Romola and I met with our new friend Carlos, who took us to a very old traditional coffee house and bar. Dust on the bottle, manually turned meat slicer, very rustic. A nice way to spend the evening!

Night time in BA. Kind of quiet.

Our steaks

Our bottle of Argentinian Malbec

Happy with our wine purchases in the wine store.

Inside the coffee shop.
Arrived in Buenos Aires
We managed to get out of Dallas between two winter storms. Lucky we made it! Had an uneventful flight, although sitting in an airplane for 11 hours (and a 3 hour jet lag) does tire one out. Just the same, we went for a walk in the San Telmo neighborhood, where our hotel is located. Tomorrow we explore further.

Eva Peron is very popular

Still summer here, so trees are blooming

More Grafitti

Here’s one for Tanya

Skyline from our hotel

Taking a break

Grafitti

Grafitti
Oh oh….. ice and snow!
If you read my last post, you know that we are leaving for Buenos Aires tomorrow. But last night the temperature dropped, it started to sleet, and now the whole Dallas Fort Worth areas has come to a slip sliding halt. Only the foolish and the officials are out there moving. Flights are being canceled.
We parked our motor home at some friend’s house yesterday, before the mess started. Hopefully it is all right. We are staying at Tanya and Shane’s house to wait out the storm.
Not sure when all this is supposed to end, but let’s hope our flight to BA tomorrow isn’t delayed, or worse, cancelled…..

A quick view of Tanya’s back yard….
A new year, a new country
On February 24, 2014 we start our next big trip… circumnavigating (mostly) South America.
We will spend 4 days in Buenos Aires, and sample some of the local scenery, food, and culture. We look forward to a lot of scenery, some great food, and of course — Tango!
On march 1 we board the Infinity (Celebrity Cruise Lines) to begin the first part of out 4 week cruise. We will sail to Uruguay, then through the Drake Passage (reputed to be the roughest seas on earth), then up through Chile. On the 14th day we arrive in Santiago, Chile.
After one day in Santiago, we cruise north and touch base in Peru. We will see Panama, as we cruise the entire Panama Canal. A few more stops, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale. From here by plane back to Dallas.
Should be a terrific cruise!

Starting in Argentina….