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Published: April 21st 2006
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Several hours ago, when I was uploading my pictures from Chile, I started to worry about the time. It was about 8:00, and I was supposed to go out with an Argentine girl I worked with, Noelia, and her friends. Shortly after, Noelia sent me an IM on the new gmail chat, asking what time I wanted to meet up. I said it was up to her, so she said, "Ok, how about after dinner, like at about 1 or so."
Such is life here in Buenos Aires.
Rewind: I arrived about midday on Thursday the 2nd in Buenos Aires. Originally, I was supposed to stay with the family of a friend from Michigan. His grandma got sick and that didn't work out. On top of that, my boss Victor, and his family, were going to be out of town. I decided to stay in a hostel partly to save money, but also because I was worried I wouldn't have enough people to hang out with.
On the taxi ride to the hospital I started to doze off. A cackle of horns woke me up. We were on a street about as wide as your typical hallway, and
a bus was in back of us. The driver of the bus wasn't happy. I rushed to get my stuff, and put it hurriedly on the curb. I asked the driver, "Is there anything in the cab?" "Nope." Great. He drove off and I immediately realized that the cellphone I had rented was gone. After a few moments of panic, I found my receipt. The receptionist at the hostel called the taxi company and I got my phone back. Thank God, because I found out later that the deposit on the phones was over $500.
At the hostel, I went upstairs, took out my camera, and immediately set out for the centro. I wanted to take some pictures of the Plaza de Mayo and the Obelisco before it got dark. On the way to the Obelisco I started to notice an unusually high number of buses. In Argentina, this means one thing. Protests. Long story, but the mayor might be impeached, and there was a march in support of him. Sounds like a positive thing - but its really not. Protests are a way of life in Argentina. Generally, the people who are marching have no idea what they
are marching about. They are bused in by the political bosses, and paid a couple dollars, or, worse, forced to come by threat of losing their meal tickets at the neighborhood soup kitchen.
I made my way through the protests, took a couple pictures of the obelisco, and headed back. On my way home, I noticed a pack of three Canadians with backpacks and a huge map unfolded. Brought them back to the hostel. The hostel served its purpose. I had no one to hang out with the first night, and the hostel had a bar with lots of people to mingle with in the basement. I was going to stay in, but eventually decided to head out with the Canadians.
An uneventful BsAs night, we got back at about 3:30. All was good until I was woken up by blaring horns at 6:00 in the morning. Then there were the people walking in and out of the room. I decided to cut my losses, get up and get some coffee and set out for the day to Recoleta Cemetary.
Took pictures in the morning (see Recoleta blog), and then had lunch with Maria, an Argentina-American friend
who I met my first time in Buenos Aires. Right after lunch, it started pouring. It was about this time that I realized I couldn't stay in the hostel. I was about to crash, and was supposed to go out the next two nights, and also wanted to visit some places during the day. I decided to switch to a hotel, which is costing me some money, but I feel great, plus they have free and fast internet.
Friday night I went out with Juan Pablo, another friend of mine from work. We were going to go play pool, but we decided to grab some food first at a "Tenedor Libre." Tenedor Libres are like really really good buffets. We had about a two and a half hour meal, and then were so full that pool was no longer in the plans. I went home and slept.
Saturday I woke up, had a great breakfast, and then did some shopping. Lacoste shirts for a little under $50. Better then the US, at least. After that I went to Caminito (see Caminito blog) and took some more pictures. Came back and have been alternately eating, and posting my pictures
sense.
Now it IS starting to get late, and I have to hurry up and post my pictures so I can get ready. Leaving for the night at 1am, then off to Brazil at 3pm tomorrow. I love Buenos Aires. Wish I had more time here.
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Yank-e
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BsAs
Love reading your blog, are the prices in US$ or AR$?