argentina - buenos aires

We´ve had the chance to stay in the city of Buenos Aires for two weeks with our friends Chelsea and Ale.  They have a cute apartment in the Caballito neighborhood, where they´ve graciously allowed us to invade their lives and treated us wonderfully during our stay.  Here´s what we´ve done during our time here:

Walked through the Microcenter to visit the historic Plaza de Mayo, where much of Argentina´s history has occured  and where the Casa Rosada (Pink House) resides -- former Presidential Palace, current Presidential offices.  We also saw the Palacio del Congreso where we took a tour (it looks a bit like the U.S. capitol) and strolled through the Plaza del Congreso.  The moment we arrived in Buenos Aires, we heard that the current President´s husband, Nestor Kirchner (and recent President himself) had died, which is clearly a big deal.  There were lots of messages and memorials hanging in the Plaza del Congreso in honor of Nestor.

* Purchased very cheap costumes and celebrated Halloween Buenos Aires style...starting at 1:00 a.m. at a friend´s party and ending at 7:00 a.m. at a dance club.

*  Sipped divine cappuchinos in several cafes and a submarino (hot chocolate) at the famous Cafe Tortoni.

* Wandered the streets of San Telmo, window shopping in the many antique shops.

* Ate at Ale´s fabulous cafe he recently took over with his sister and enjoyed a delicious lunch.

*  Visited the neighborhood of Recoleta where we went to the Cemetario de la Recoleta, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and strolled through a market.  The cemetary was really spectacular, housing B.A.´s famous and weathly in extravagent mausoleums, including Evita´s.

*  Attended a dance show of one of Chelsea and Ale´s friends as well as an incredible performance called "Fuerza Bruta."  It was a rather interactive music/dance sensory experience where at one point we had a large tarp fashioned as a swimming pool with "swimming dancers" inches from our heads!  Look it up on youtube to see clips of it.

*  Strolled down the cobbled waterfrond walkways of Puerto Madero and enjoyed some libations with our friends.

* Sampled delicious ice cream and wonderful foods around the city.

* Used public transport, including the subway, where Guy got pickpocketed! Luckily we didn´t lose more than $25, but his check card had to be cancelled, and I think his pride was more hurt than anything!

*  Took a two-hour bus ride to the city of San Antonio de Areco to experience gaucho (cowboy) culture.  While it was a peaceful and charming little town, we didn´t get to experience much "gaucho" and realized the big yearly festival...was the very next day!

*  Along with Chelsea, Ale and their friend Christian, we took a quick train ride to the riverside suburb of Tigre to look through their huge market.  Chelsea said its a place many folks from B.A. go for a weekend getaway, much like "up north" for Minnesotans. 

*  Visited some green spaces in the Palermo area at the Rosedal (Rose Garden) where we saw the most beautiful roses I´ve ever seen. 

We have one more day before leaving the continent of South America, and I can´t believe its already time to go to Africa!  The last several days have been a bit tough for me sick I´ve been battling an illness and had to take it easy.  I´m hopeful that I will be feeling better soon so I will be up to site seeing when we arrive in South Africa.  During our last day I hope to get in some of the best ice cream in town...Freddo´s...and enjoy one more meal with Chelsea and Ale before we head out.  Its been a blast!