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Published: October 4th 2012
Prior to leaving for South America, we knew there may be a few rough spots due to a strike or political unrest. We just didn’t know it would be in the South of the US (Miami) and on American Airlines. Due to some American Airlines pilot labor issues, there have been several late or cancelled flights as result of “sick pilots” and alleged maintenance issues. Unfortunately, our flight to Miami was over two hours late and we missed the flight to Buenos Aires. So we got some airline vouchers and had to stay in Miami for another day. Oh joy!
Well, we finally got to Buenos Aires and we are staying in an apartment in the Palermo district. It is an area of tree lined streets and apartment buildings so it is very residential and quiet for Buenos Aires. We visited the San Telmo district on Sunday, which is the big market day with music all along Defensa St. Lots of handicrafts and also a lot of the obligatory junk that all street markets around the world have. This area also has a lot of the old 18
th century architecture which leads some to describe Buenos Aires as the Paris
of South America. Unfortunately that is also due the doggy landmines on the sidewalk for which Paris is famous for!
Another day, we took the Buquebus ferry over the bay to Colonia, Uruguay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is only a one hour ride so it was nice day trip. Colonia is a quiet small picturesque town on the coast full of cobble stoned streets and quaint 18
th century buildings. Very much unlike Buenos Aires! Had a chill day walking around and huge lunch with some Uruguayan wine overlooking the bay. Took the ferry and subway back to the apartment and got to experience the commute traffic on the subway. The subway is very inexpensive, easy to understand and similar to Paris. A couple of trains had to pass before we were able to get on the subway as it was packed like sardines. We were advised by a local that the aroma is better in the morning as everyone is freshly showered! As we got off, we were both happy to find we were not relieved of any of our earthly possessions! Advice - don’t use the subway during commute hours.
The next day, we
Colonia Rental Carts
No, we are not in the Villages!did a Tango show/lesson. It was done by a small group who just started called We Are Tango. There are plenty of large shows with hundreds of spectators with bad food in Buenos Aries. We Are Tango does a small intimate show which limits the number of attendees to approx ten. You are right on top of the show with everyone in a front row seat. You learn the history of Tango as well as get some lessons from the dancers after the show. The Tango IS very difficult and I think we will stick to watching in the future as I think we were the comedy part of the show.
We also went to the cemetery in Buenos Aries. I know that sounds weird, but this place is amazing. Besides the resting place of Eva Peron (volvere y sere millones) who was the champion of the working class people of Argentina, there are ex presidents and Nobel laureates housed in fabulous mausoleums. Really impressive! However, there were no plots that Leona and I currently interested in purchasing at this time.
Next stop is Iquazu falls. We are taking an overnight bus which we understand and hope are
as comfortable as the ones we took in Peru a few years ago.
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Roxane
non-member comment
Wonderful Post!
Thanks so much! Great to hear and see all of this, although I'm astonished at the trouble with American Airlines, wow! Am already looking forward to the next installment. My only disappointment is that I had SO looked forward to seeing Leona bent back in Frank's arms, hair sweeping the floor, while clenching a rose in her teeth!