Tango Town
Trip Start
Jan 16, 2007
1
6
9
Trip End
Apr 23, 2007
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
So, back to the hotel disaster. Two in a row. Can't let that happen to Sid and booker. So, on with the tour and just ignore the rotten stuff. We WALKED ( Sharons exercize program 10000 steps) to the Plaza de Mayo. This is the most important square in the the city with the Rosetta Palace, and Metropolitan Cathedral. Buenos Aires is amazing with the architeture, parks, sculptures and art. We followed the morning walk with a city tour. Once again to the plaza de mayo, and then onwards to telmo, boca etc. This tour was quite different from the one in Chile. We ended up on a large bus, with the majority of the commentary in Spanish. The Brasileans outnumbered all the other nationalities on the tour bus.
The following day, we WALKED to the Jewish area, and found the restaurants, food stores, bakeries, etc. Lots of kippas. Lots of good food. I called one my Rabbis in Los Angeles to discuss some matters, and we chatted about the meat selling for next to nothing. He asked me " Did you see the chickens?" They were selling for 3 times the cost of beef. His response was "you can't feed them grass". We then went on the Abasto shopping center and found the kosher MACDONALDS. This was a treat. There was also a kosher pizza, bourekas, fellafel place.
The next day we took the subway to the train station, and the train to El Tigre, which is the beginning of the delta region. Quite incredible with the five main rivers, and thousands of tributaries weaving through the area. The boat tours are the big item, with a variety of boats, and packages available. Also boats to Uruguay leave from El Tigre. The old mansions and the rowing clubs are worth the ride. We took THE OTHER train back to retiro station, and the metro to our hotel.
Our next adventure was to Recolleto and the cemetary. The mausoleums and the statuary was amazing. After this we discovered a Jewish Art and Design store with an interesting selection of art in many forms and materials. We then strolled out to the Museum of Belle Artes. Truly an enjoyable collection, especially the Dutch works from the 16th century and collection of Rodin pieces.
We followed this up with a trip to the incredible shopping plaza Gran Pacifico. The WEM could learn something from this plaza. The architecture and the art work is magnificent. The interior dome between the lower and middle floors presents ceiling frescoes by 6 leading artists. Must See.
The other nice event, was the musical theater which featured "Tangerama". This was a period piece set in the early part of the 20th century. The performers were wonderful, the setting was great, and the music pulsating.
Well this brings us to the end of time in Buenos Aires, as the rest was shopping and walking, and being in Buenos Aires. This is a lively, vibrant city with too much to offer. (blessed will be the day when they discover biodiesel for their buses).
Comments
Getting fit
Hi Sid
Have very much enjoyed your commentary. Your imagery and writing style invoke memories of past travels for Jo & I, and why we actually do it. The exposure to other cultures and histories is what gives us real appreciation for our world. I know about the 10,000 steps exercise program, and trust you are being faithful to the cause. I'm certain you will arrive home fit and ready to resume our morning rituals.
I signed up with a trainer in Jan, and was doing quite well for the 1st week until I screwed up my back somehow. I was finally able to get out this weekend and shovel away some of the snow we have received over the last 3 weeks. You Picked a great time to not be in Edmonton.
I hope the rest of your journey goes as well for you and Sharon as it seems to so far. I will drink a bottle of South African Wine to toast your trip, and look forward to sharing your adventures and stories when you return.
Take care and stay safe,
Best wishes, Ian Muir