Antarctica Adventure #7, Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires -Thursday, 19 December 2019

We started the day early again (don't tell our dancers back home how we are handling all these early mornings!!  They might expect it there!!) - up at 6:45am!  Had a nice buffet breakfast & started a walking tour from the hotel to Avenida 9 de Julio & the Plaza de Mayo.  As we passed an open kiosk, Maria stopped us to point out all the colored arm scarves.  She laughingly told us that protesting is like the National Activity of Argentina.  There were hundreds of them - for World Peace, Feeding the Poor, Human Rights, you name it & there was a scarf to wear as your symbol of support!  One for each day of the year maybe?

It was a beautiful day & our walk was quite enjoyable.  Plaza de Mayo (the main square with the Presidential Palace) was gorgeous.  Maria said it had just opened back up, the previous President had had it all fenced in for his protection.

We were lucky enough (probably planned by Maria!) to be there during the changing of the guard.  They leave the Presidential Palace & march across the square to the Cathedral.  Inside is the Mausoleum of General Jose de San Martin - National hero who freed Argentina, Chile & Peru.  The mausoleum also houses 2 other generals & the tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Indepence.  The Cathedral is quite impressive & it was nice to see the ceremony.

Next stop was La Boca - an extremely colorful (touristy) neighborhood known for Tango.  We had a little time on our own & wandered into a few stores & played with the interesting statutes.

Maria kept tantilizing us with little comments about something special that she had planned.  This young man showed up & started guiding us around the neighborhood, giving us a little history.  This was originally a ship yard.  Apparently one reason it is so colorful is that most of the inhabitants couldn't afford to build their homes from standard materials & used things they retrieved from the ships - hence the hodgepodge of corregated iron, wood, cardboard, steel, etc.  Tango was their escape from reality.

To our intense pleasure, a couple hopped up off a bench & began to give us an amazing demonstration of "true" tango!  And in those heels & on that rough cobblestone!  Found out later that OAT had never done this before.  Maria had found someone to give us this presentation because she realized that our 3 couples were dancers!!!  Yea Maria!

The surprise continued as a bandelero player showed up.  Then a few lucky people got to dance with the pros!!!  Wow!  That guy is really really good - Holy Cow!  It's George!  I got to dance with the guy, but did it in secret!  Ha - no proof!

They danced a little more.

The last of this surprise was a LESSON!!  They led us to a little back yard area off the street & we got instructions in the basic walk & then the instrumentalist played for us all to dance.  Marlyn & Michele were definitely the best & everyone was amazed!  They looked really cool!  They even brought out hats for the men & scarves for the ladies to help us get into the mood.  Then we got a group picture too!  Truly an amazing experience.  Thank you again Maria! 

We then had a little free time to explore the area.  It was mobbed with happy people & we enjoyed soaking it all in!

A short bus ride gave us an example of a sweet snack made with Dulce de Leche (sort of caramel) and we learned of this strange polo type sport called Pato - Argentina's National Sport.  We found out that Maria grew up playing it!  Apparently she was almost on a National Team!  She never played it as it originated - with a live duck instead of the 4 handled ball they use now!!!!

Our group headed into the famous Recoleta Cemetery/Masoleum where Eva Peron & other famous folk are interred, but Marlyn, Michele, George & I had been there several times before, so we decided to head out on our own to a bird sanctuary.  It was the RESERVA ECOLÓGICA COSTANERA SUR and is an area of over 850 acres in the middle of town!!  We took a taxi (making sure to get one of the ones officially licensed!!) & it took about 20 minutes to get the few miles away because of the horrendous traffic.  First stop was the Visitor's Center - just inside the gates & past a huge wetlands area.  The receptionist was very welcoming, but didn't speak much English.  She did give us a small guide book & encouraged us to have a lovely time!  Unfortunately.......the guide book was in Spanish!!!

We saw tons of birds....unfortunately we couldn't identify them!  Blast it!  We did enjoy going there, it would have been a whole lot better if it hadn't been close to 100 degrees & total sun!!!!  We were dying out there!  But we persevered & wandered for about 2 and a half hours.  Figure we'll be in Antarctica soon & would enjoy thinking of the time in that blistering heat!

As we were making our way to the exit, we all nearly had a heart attack when a HUGE Iguana scooted across the trail & into the bushes.  Tried to get a picture, but it just blended into the underbrush.  Sure scared us.  It was probably 18" long or more.  It was black & white & you can just catch a glimpse of it on the left side of picture in between the leaves.

We all met downstairs for a short lecture by an American expat on the Financial situation of Buenos Aires.  He has lived here for 20 years & loves it here, but is worried that things are in a bit of a turmoil.  Hopeful because of the recent change of Presidents.  Wish them luck - it's a beautiful city. 

They we all hopped back on a bus for our Welcome dinner to start the real tour!  We're heading to Antarctica!!!  We realized we had eaten here when we were on our Patagonia Trip a couple of years ago.  The restaurant is roomy & bright with good food & atmosphere.  Wine was included & it was good.  Maria's daughter came to visit.  What a cutie!  She's going to college & working as a graphic artist.  That will be important later!  Keep it in mind!

Caught a special shot of a really sexy lady as we left the restaurant to take a walk along the river (whoo hoo Michele!).  The river walk is certainly a popular spot & really beautiful at night.  Even caught another Tango Show in progress!  Short bus ride home & loved seeing the Obelisk all lit up again.  Bed early - gonna be a short night!