Colors of Buenos Aries

Yummy treats available daily!

Every day, I pick up fresh bread and food for dinner at the local market. There is a small market like this every second block. Fresh vegetables come from another market, usually one every second block.

A favorite stop for Brent. Fresh ice cream, and a big tub of it for $3.00. One on every 3rd block!

Fresh flowers. One on every second block. Roses? 25 roses for $5.00

Butcher shop. One on every 3rd corner.

And then, if you don't want to cook, a cafe on every corner!

First Full Day of Rain

Inside the Pink Palace. This is where the House of Government sits.

This is the room that only yesterday, the President's husband lay in his coffin, and the whole family was comforted by the general public, as well as Presidents of other countries.

This is the Women's room in the Pink palace, with photos of famous Argentinan Women. This is Eva Perron.

The next day, we toured the "Pink Palace", the House of Government. This is the balcony from where Evita gave her famous speach. Yesterday, and the day before, this square was filled with people.

The President and her Husband.

Memorial with the Pink Palace behind it.

Today, we had our first full day of rain. I think the rain reflected the citizens of Argentina's feelings, as it was a very sad day for the country. With the husband of the President passing away so quickly, the whole country was in shock and mourning. The plaza in front of the House of Government building filled with people, and the casket was in the "Pink Palace" for two days, while the public lined up to go by and pay their respect to him and his family. All of the Presidents from South America flew in to see the family and to stand by his coffin. The people were so close to the President, she would, from time to time, go towards the viewers and hug or thank one, or accept flowers, flags, or items and place them on his coffin. I was so touched by the passion the people showed and the pure support they had for her and her family, as well, how orderly and non-threatening the people were.

As his coffin left the Palace, the streets were lined with adoring people, waving flags, banners, and running alongside the hearse to place items on the roof of the hearse. Flowers, flags, hard hats, jerseys were all some of the items. The family then boarded a plane with the coffin and flew to his hometown for burial.

Wierd Day Today

Today was a Census day in Argentina. They do a manual census every 10 years, so it is the law that all businesses have to close, and no one can work. They only have essential services running. I had to go downtown for my Spanish lesson, so I took the subway downtown. There was only me and three other people on the train. Usually, we are squished in together like my toes in pointy shoes. When I got off at my station, the busiest part of the downtown in BA, there were no cars, no people and all the businesses were closed. It was so quiet, and very eerie. As I walked down to my teacher's place, I saw very few people on the street, and I felt like I was in a TV show where something dreadful had happened. Good thing we have some food at home, as you couldn't even buy a stick of gum anywhere in the city today. The stores can re-open at 8 pm tonight.
On top of that, the husband of the President of Argentina died of a heart attack this morning, suddenly. He was the past President of Argentina, and quite beloved, so people were also in shock and there will be a lot coming up with regards to his passing. Interesting times. I feel bad for the citizens, as now there will be unrest in the government, as he was expected to win the election next year.

Hola de Buenos Aries

Big billboards

Big monument. On world Aids Day, they cover it in a condom. (seriously)

Big Beef country

Big Buildings. They have a different kind of plus 15's.


New part of BA. High end hotels, shops, apartments.

The enemy is among us.

Sunday San Telmo Market. Big Crowds!

Knife Sharpener Guy.

Hot Rods

Si, mi Espanol es muchos buenos. But, don't ask me what they reply to me, as they speak so darnded fast! I am enjoying the Spanish lessons, however, and it is helping me to read some of the signs better, etc.

Every culture is different, and the people who live here have a different lifestyle than we are used to in Canada. First of all, they only sleep an average of 4-6 hours per night, which is very efficient, but I can't for the life of me see how they can manage without more sleep! They don't eat dinner until at least 9:30 pm, and even that is early for them, most of the time, its 11pm or midnight! Brent and I tried to go to a special BBQ place at 6 for dinner, and they don't even open until 8:30 pm! We hear traffic, and people visiting at 3 in the morning, all the time. I think BA is "The City that Never Sleeps" , not New York! My Spanish teacher can't believe that I go to bed at 10 pm and get up at 8:30 am....

We have twice seen a young man surrounded by his friends, covered in some kind of egg/flour creation, which is quite comical. We were told that this is to celebrate either graduation from University, or an upcoming wedding.

The people here are very friendly, and really like to show off their English when they get a chance. There is a couple of servers at Starbucks who recognize me and say, Hey, Canada! How are you? I tell them how good their English is, and they tell me that their teacher would be proud.

Today, we went to rent bicycles and take them to an ecological reserve, where there are 10 km's of trails and over 200 bird species living in the park. It was nice to just pop across the street and be in a completely tranquil area. We cycled along the ocean for a while, too. The breeze was nice, as the weather was the best day we have had yet. About 25 and no wind or clouds in the sky. My arm held up really well. It is much better riding than walking, as long as the road isn't too bumpy, it's just like at spin class, but much more interesting!

Around Town

Perro Mobile

Muchos Perros

Japanese Gardens

Women's Bridge. The whole bridge swings open to allow large ships to pass through.

Japanese Garden Bonsi

Big Coy

Japanese garden

I know it may seem a bit morose, but this graveyard is very intersting.

This girl was pronounced dead by 3 doctors, and was put in a coffin in one of the mauseleoms. The next day, a caretaker heard a noise coming out of her mauselom and contaced the family. When they opened the coffin, she was dead, but had been alive and was trying to escape. The family designed this new mauselem and the statue is of her. Her hand is on the door, as she is trying to get out. They told us that her ghose has been seen wandering the cementary in a white dress.

This person died on her honemoon. She was at a ski resort that had an avalanche and she was napping in her room when it covered the hotel. She was buried with her favorite dog. If you rub his nose, it's suposed to be good luck. That's why it is shiny.

Looking into one of the mauseleums. Some even have stained glass celings!

Evita's grave. Her family's grave.

Amazing statues. Stand for sadness, the future, the past and infinity.

Eat, Pray, Love. Oh, the food here! All for $20.

The best barbequer in BA!

We have been wandering not so aimlessly throughout the city. Brent and I went to the Japanese Gardens, and wandered around in the peaceful setting. Brent went to Peurto Madero, a new section of the city, with a bridge dedicated to women that swings to let the larger boats through. We had a great tour of the Recoleta Cemetery and took photos of the graves we saw. This is the third most famous cemetery in the world, second only to one in Paris and one in Italy. It is the smallest cemetery in the city, but hosts 21 presidents, and other famous and wealthy folks. Including the fellow who figured out how to take lactate out of milk. No, his mausoleum is not shaped like a cow. These mausoleums are purchased by a family for up to $50,000 and hold up to 100 coffins at a time. When they get too full, they either move or cremate the remains. They can also sell these to another person, and move all of the remains to another location. The cats are said to keep the spirits inside the cemetery.

Where Are We?

Cemetery and creepy cats

BMW 5 Series Hearse

Part of a high end hotel in Ricoletta

A Day in the Park

"Central Park"

For Mom

More Park

Italian Marble Statue

Buenos Aires is the 9th largest city in the world, with a population of 13 million. To us, it feels like New York, with the busy streets, subway, thousands of cabs, a central park, high end shopping, and apartments instead of houses. The difference is that it is cheaper than New York and hardly anyone speaks English!

The city has a real European feel to it, as well. The architecture reflects several influences from Spanish, French and other cities. There is a strong Italian influence as well, and many Italian restaurants to tempt us. We went out for pizza the other night and found a great spot, with dark wood, candles and the windows wide open so we could watch the action on the street. We decided to sit inside and had a large pizza and drinks for $20. We couldn't finish the pizza. It was overloaded with cheese, although tasty, it was way too much for us! Part of the bill referred to either "cutlery" or "covered", which we think meant that we paid extra to sit inside. Hard to say, but at the price, we were not going to question it

We have been spending most of our days walking the various barrios (neighbourhoods) of the city. Our barrio is called Palermo, and we are close to most of the tourist sights, and the other high end barrios. We spent a day in the park, walking the paths and watching families, couples and singles as they enjoyed the "Mothers Day" holiday in the sunshine. It is early spring here, so the 25 degree weather and blue sky brought the people out. They have a huge rose garden in this park, and it will be stunning in a couple of weeks when all of the buds open.

One thing we don't see a lot of here is littering. The streets are clean, and the city has a full force of garbage workers who keep the cans empty. In the evenings, they go through the garbage and split it up for recycling.

We have had no problems navigating the streets with our maps, although Brent is much better at it than I am.

I have made may way twice to my Spanish lesson location, which takes me about 45 minutes to get to by foot/subway combined. I blend in much better by myself without blondie by my side, as there are no fair-haired men wandering around the city. Brent really stands out. (but we already know that!)

I had my first two hour Spanish lesson, one on one, and really enjoyed it. I am learning mostly grammar right now, along with pronouncing letter combinations, numbers, etc. I feel like I am learning how to read all over again, just like grade 8!!!

Brent spent his lesson money on a satchel, which is better for carrying the laptop around in, as well, will make a better carry on bag than our tacky packsack.

After one week, we are settling into our apartment, and love the pace of life.

I am keeping up with my daily physio exercises, and have to watch how far I walk in a day, as that is when the arm gives me the most grief. Pace myself, right Mom?

Anyway, we hope to tour the large graveyard next week, after wandering through it in the rain the other day. It is where the famous are buried, one such person being Eva Perron. All of the tombs are above ground, and have gates on them, some glassed in, some open, and you can see the caskets right there. Very erie. Of course, lots of cats running around, too. Pet Cemetery all over....

By the way, we love to read your comments on our blog (thanks, Tara!) and look forward to seeing them when we open it up- so don't be shy!!!

photos

Swishy Apartment. Guard house on the front.

View from our balcony

LR

Brent's workshop

Nance's workshop

Nance's next job

My crew

Evita's balcony. The presidential pink house

La Boca Stadium