A lot of walking
Trip Start
Dec 22, 2007
1
46
48
Trip End
May 01, 2008
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sunday, April 13, 2008
We got a taxi to the hotel (centre of BA) and crashed for 5 hours, waking at lunchtime. We were starving by this point as we had not had breakfast on the plane (they served it at 4am!) so we went hunting for food. We walked past so many Macdonalds and Burger Kings it was unbelievable. We did look at other restaurants but nothing took our fancy so we cracked and went to burger king.
We walked around for a while and went to Plaza Mayor where Evita did her famous speech. We were feeling very tired still so went back to the hotel for a couple of hours sleep and then went out for dinner at an expensive restaurant which we were not that impressed with.
We were surprised by the weather today as it was quite cold and overcast.
Monday 14 April
Today it was a lot warmer and blue skies so we decided to go wandering again. We spent most of the day walking around taking pictures of the centre. We also went into a couple of shopping malls which were filled with designer shops. Not really dressed for going into those!
Tuesday 15 April
We again spent most of this morning walking. This time we walked to Costanero which is apparently the place to go running at lunchtime for porteņos (locals). It is near a reserve which we didnīt walk around as we were too tired from walking to it!
We have booked accommodation in Palermo and San Telmo for the next few days so we could see different barrios (suburbs) in Buenos Aires.
Wed 16 April
We movd to Palermo today which is a lovely suburb of BA. We spent most of the day walking, again, round the parks.
We thought someone was having a big bonfire in the evening as it was quite smokey.
Thurs 17 April
Today we got the subte (subway) and train to Tigre to go to Parana Delta which was about 1.5hrs from BA. The train cost us 40p for a return journey! Slight excitement on the train when, after people getting on at a stop, suddenly everybody stood up an rushed off the train. No announcement or anything. We just followed everybody else but then everyone got back on and we still do not have a clue what happened.
We decided to not do a boat tour but to take the residents boat to Tres Bocas and got off there to explore for a couple of hours. We had a nice lunch by the river but what we didnīt realise was how built up the area was so there was not a lot of wildlife around.
Friday 18 April
Another lazy start to the day. We did find out today what the smoke smell was... farmers have burnt some of their scrubland and have caused huge fires which were engulfing BA in smoke.
In the afternoon we to the subte (which was rammed, felt like a sardine and it was only 2pm. It always seems to be rush hour on the subte here) to Recoleta so we could visit the cemetry. It was similar to Punta Arenas with hige mauseleums but there was a lot more wealth and famous figures here, including Eva Peron.
Saturday 19 April
We moved to San Telmo today. We drove past the Obelisco and could hardly see it because of the smoke. It was much worse today.
We booked to go see a Boca Juniors football match which was spectacular. We were picked up and taken for pizza and beer, then onto the match. A little disturbing for me, but we were in the terraces. We all managed to squeeze down about 10 rows to stand together. The aisles did not exist so you had to squeeze past other spectators. As soon as we were at our spot I knew I was going no where until the game had finished!
The first half was pretty dull apart from the fans singing songs. The second half was excellent with 3 goals. When Boca scored the first goal it felt like the whole stadium was shaking, lots of cheering, singing, stamping and jumping. We could see the opposite terrace and it was a sea of jumping people. The second goal was for Rosario which didnīt get celebrated but another song was sung. The third goal was Bocaīs and the stadium erupted again, even louder this time to a point where I thought I might have to cover my ears!!
Sunday 20 April
Today was the market in San Telmo which was really good. The market mainly had antiques but we found a few street performers and musicians. One group had even moved a piano out onto the street to play!
In the afternoon we went to the cinema and saw Shine a Light (Rolling Stones) which was not what we expected. We thought it was a documentary but it was a gig with a few flashbacks. Not impressed.
