Rosario

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Here I am in Rosario, after a sleepless night on the bus. Strangely, the police stopped the bus three times on the road from Iquazu and asked to see our passports.
This is a handsome city with cathedral and parks and tango bars. Last night Cristina (Servas) took me to a tango bar and I had my first lesson. What a sensuous dance though difficult to get the steps, shifting of weight, the trick that women must relax and flow with her partner but concentrate on proper holds and where her partner is trying to direct her. After the lesson the regulars took the floor. Women wore tall heels, men shiny shoes, and it was beautiful to watch. Yes, I finally experienced the tango in Argentina.

Two days later: even better, we went to underground tango bar (no photos). I had my second dance lesson with more intricate footwork. We had to shift partners constantly and I had periods of success with men who either could speak a few words of English ´walk backwards´or were strong enough dancers that they could lead very well. After the lesson, musicians played tango music, and the regulars began to dance. Wow! You should see the control and passion on the dancefloor. And the characters in the bar, with cigarettes and wine and black clothing...right out of a movie. Tango is alive and well in Argentina.
During the days we visited museums, monuments, parks, had dinner at the yacht club (great view of bridge and river)
Tomorrow I am heading to Cordoba. On the television it was reported that over 10,000 cases of Dengue fever are confirmed in the north, with some deaths. I am still not sure what my next move will be. I have to keep an eye on the calendar and return to Montevideo before the 15th.
UPDATE I decided to stay in Rosario for two more nights. I am in great hostel, Lourdes, which is just off of Cordoba street (2 blocks). There is a rooftop to sit in the sun during the day if you want. Excellent staff are really helpful. The matte here is really strong, but good.

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Photos

Tango
The regulars took to the floor and flowed across the room.

Fire
Eternal flame in centre

sunset
Cathedral and momument

Municipal
Pink must be preferred colour for government buildings

Ave Cordoba
Main shopping and cafe street.

Instructor
´relax´´maintain your posture while shifting weight from foot to foot´´tango is all about trusting your partner´´feel the music´

After the lesson
We enjoyed wine and pizza while watching the pros on the floor

Portuguese chicken
Too much food! (good though)

Falkland Islands
The F word that you do not say in Argentina.

Yacht Club
Excellent barbequed fish from river served here.

Bridge
Really wide river, eh?

Silo Museum
Grain elevators are converted into museum.

View of Downtown
From top of Silo-Museum

Obsolete trains
Train station converted into offices.

Art?
Birds in cage over scenes of end of the world. Bird droppings splattered over scenes below.

Art
Art that makes you think

Clear cut
Along the road from Iquzau most of the forest/jungle was converted into monoculture with one type of tree or bush.

Police check
Three times the bus was stopped and police asked to see out passports.