Buenos Aires Argentina

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - Buenos Aires Argentina.

Today marks the end of the 2nd leg and beginning of our 3rd and final leg of this journey.  We have a full day walking tour scheduled with Alan at buenostours.com.  Alan is a 31yr old Englishman who originally came to Buenos Aires to become fluent in Spanish but liked the area so much that he stayed.

My first impression of the Buenos as we began our tour  in the area known as San Telmo is that it reminded me of the French quarter with its balconies.  Here there are many street fairs on Sundays at night there are tango performances.  Alan explained that tango dancing is popular in the small bars here.  Single men will search for the best tango dancer among the ladies over the best looking.  Locals take their tango dancing art very seriously.  We also passed several brothels along the way.  Brothels are legal here.  I was disappointed that we didn't get to attend a tango show :(

We visited the Plaza de Mayo are which included the Metropolitan Cathedral and state buildings.  We took photos in from of the balcony in The Casa Rosada (the pink palace) where Evita Peron spoke to her adoring crowds.  It was also the spot where Madonna sang "Don't cry for me Argentina" in the movie about Evita.  It was interesting to note that the Argentine government and its people did not want foreigners to enter.  The dictator at the time considered himself the ladies man and liked to be seen with Celebrities.  He struck a deal that Madonna would have a private dinner with him in exchange for her being allowed to sing from the balcony.  She then had to be secretly allowed in during the early morning hours so as not to cause a demonstration.

The last area we visited known as the Recoleta, is home to the wealthiest of the city.  Most of the designer shops who were here have been forced to close due to strict import taxes imposed.  Argentina wants its people to buy items made locally over those imports so they tax imports so heavily that no one wants to buy.  Sounds like something the US should adhere to!  This area is also home to the cemetary of the wealthy which is where Evita Peron's body is now buried.  This is the last place she would have wanted to be buried, Evita loved her middleclass and would have never like being with the wealthy.

Due to time restraints we didn't do lunch as planned.  Instead  we had a quick coffee/lunch break in one of the oldest cafe's in Buenos Aires.  The interior was lovely.  Works from local artists hung along the walls.  Alan said it was a great honor to be displayed in the cafe.  There was a very old but polished wood bar with an antique cash register still being used.  In the back was beautifully decorated rooms celebrating the Buenos Aires laid back, relaxed attitudes.  We enjoyed a delicious cone of Gelato brought to Buenos Aires by its Italian Immigrants.
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour!