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As we flew in from Madrid we were flanked by a physics lecturer coming back from a Ukranian conference and a self-confessed tango addict from Switzerland. This seemed a fair cross section for the travelers to BA.
Travelling is made easy by the helpfulness of the Argentinians. They are always happy to try English when they hear that your Spanish monosyllablic. The Portal de Sur Hostel is very central and pleasant whether drinking beer on the roof or eating in the central courtyard.
We had an enjoyable stroll around the San Telmo area. It bussles with Bric-a-brac stalls and street players. 3 accordians with backing strings etc seems the basic format. Tango is everywhere. It is best to buy a beer and watch the world go by.
Things that caught the eye in the city include: professional dog walkers with one arm stronger than the other like tennis players; advertisers who hold boards in front of the traffic stopped at the lights; no two buildings looking the same with no rhyme or reason.
Today, after an eye-opening first day, we started with the jam-packed cemetery for the rich and famous at Rigoleta. This housed the remains of Argentina's generals, politicans and historic figures, including Eva 'Evita' Peron Duarte. In reflected the city itself with each mausoleum different from each other.
After that we went to the second largest opera house (after Sydney) in the Southern Hemisphere. It has seven balconies and a majestic domed ceiling. Anyone would probably be impressed by opera in such a setting. We stopped for a quick ice cream in this argentinian winter (20 deg C). The dulce de leche (think cooked condensed milk) was a popular flavour.
Overall the initial impact of Buenos Aires is its european style. I expect outside the city it is a different story.
There will be pictures when we find a USB!
Jem and Dan
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Paul Thorpe
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Jayne Tom and Paul
Sounds like you have started the trek with the enthusiasm we come to know, you were missed at the Medway Marathon it was a good day for the Kestrels. We were 33rd and Roy31st. We will keep watch the blob! I ment Blog.