The second day in Buenos Aires started with rain, but we still went out to explore this wonderful city. One thing that I noticed is the amount of old cars on the streets. I love this one in the picture. They are everywhere and it seems that have Gabi written all over it! I want one!!!!
We headed downtown in the rain. We tried to get the bus tour for the day but we were discouraged by their own people to buy the 70 pessos a person pass "because it was rainning too much (and was going to rain all day), therefore it was not a good say to do the tour." Well, I thought rainy days would be their best business days! Go figure!
We then bought two umbrellas for 20 pesos each and decided to walk in the rain.
On the east side of Plaza de Mayo is the Casa Rosada, the Pink House of Buenos Aires. This presidential palace dates back to President Sarmiento's time. The pink salmon color is said to have come from Sarmiento's attempt to bring peace between the Federalists and the Unitarists parties in his 1868-1876 term. The Federalists were the "red" party and the Unitarists were the "white" party. Another more interesting theory is that the Casa Rosada is pink from the use of bovine blood as a coloring agent. Whichever story is true, the building is certainly pink! Eva Peron (Evita) rallied the Argentine people from the balcony of the Casa Rosada, as did her husband Juan Peron and many other politicians who have convened throngs of Argentines in the Plaza de Mayo over the decades. If you see the movie, "Evita", the Plaza de Mayo was the setting for many of the key scenes.
The colonial Calildo, with an interesting artisans' market in the courtyard, is the town council on the south side of the Plaza.
Buenos Aires is a city of districts, and exploring each of these distinct areas is fun. You can either take an organized tour to get an overview of these areas, or take one of the black and yellow radio taxis, which are cheap and plentiful, to navigate quickly around the city.
Entrance of the Casa Rosada.
Inside the casa Rosada.
They are now having a beauitiful photo exhibition about the women of Argentina.
We headed downtown in the rain. We tried to get the bus tour for the day but we were discouraged by their own people to buy the 70 pessos a person pass "because it was rainning too much (and was going to rain all day), therefore it was not a good say to do the tour." Well, I thought rainy days would be their best business days! Go figure!
We then bought two umbrellas for 20 pesos each and decided to walk in the rain.First stop was the Plaza the Mayo.
An appropriate place to begin a tour of Buenos Aires is at the Plaza de Mayo. It has been the center of political upheaval, vehement protests, and national celebrations over the years. On one side of the Plaza is the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), which was built on the site of the original colonial church. This massive cathedral, with 12 pillars for the 12 apostles, is not only an important religious landmark. General Jose de San Martin, Argentina's most popular and revered hero, is buried in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Uniformed guards continually watch over the tomb.
On the east side of Plaza de Mayo is the Casa Rosada, the Pink House of Buenos Aires. This presidential palace dates back to President Sarmiento's time. The pink salmon color is said to have come from Sarmiento's attempt to bring peace between the Federalists and the Unitarists parties in his 1868-1876 term. The Federalists were the "red" party and the Unitarists were the "white" party. Another more interesting theory is that the Casa Rosada is pink from the use of bovine blood as a coloring agent. Whichever story is true, the building is certainly pink! Eva Peron (Evita) rallied the Argentine people from the balcony of the Casa Rosada, as did her husband Juan Peron and many other politicians who have convened throngs of Argentines in the Plaza de Mayo over the decades. If you see the movie, "Evita", the Plaza de Mayo was the setting for many of the key scenes.
The colonial Calildo, with an interesting artisans' market in the courtyard, is the town council on the south side of the Plaza.
Buenos Aires is a city of districts, and exploring each of these distinct areas is fun. You can either take an organized tour to get an overview of these areas, or take one of the black and yellow radio taxis, which are cheap and plentiful, to navigate quickly around the city.
Entrance of the Casa Rosada.
Inside the casa Rosada.
This is still the Presidential Palace, but it opens for visitations for free on the weekend.
The only problem is that the tours are done ONLY on Spanish.
They are now having a beauitiful photo exhibition about the women of Argentina.
They picked 14 women who have contributed to Argentina's artistic or political scene. Among them are Eva Peron, of course, and Mercedez Sosa (singer).
The exhibition was inaugurated on International Women's Day last year, by the also female president Cristina Kitchner.
The exhibition was inaugurated on International Women's Day last year, by the also female president Cristina Kitchner.
Well done, Cristina!
From the same balcony that Evita used to talk to the people, we can see the Plaza del Mayo.
More of the Plaza.
We loved the tiles of the floor!
The decoration inside is also very beautiful.
This is the actual presidential office.
The astonishing inside garden, typical of the Spanish architecture.
Just to remind us where we are!
From the same balcony that Evita used to talk to the people, we can see the Plaza del Mayo.
More of the Plaza.
We loved the tiles of the floor!
The decoration inside is also very beautiful.
This is the actual presidential office. Cristina runs the country from here.
Her papers and personnal photos were still at her table when we visited it.
The astonishing inside garden, typical of the Spanish architecture.
Just to remind us where we are!Argentina!
When we came out of the Casa Rozada'e visit, the rain was gone and a strong sun came out. The rest of the day was blue skies and hot temperatures: 33 degrees!
When we came out of the Casa Rozada'e visit, the rain was gone and a strong sun came out. The rest of the day was blue skies and hot temperatures: 33 degrees!This photo bellow shows the very wide streets of Buenos Aires.
Here is the ministry of defense.
Here is the ministry of defense.There are a few monuments to remember the fallen soldiers of the Falkland Islands war.
Very touching monument!
A walk though downtown buildings.
We had empanadas for lunch at a very local restaurant called Comet. The owner was a Spaniard who immigrated to Argentina in 1960, and has been one of the original owners of this place for 42 years. He said that a lot has changed and complained about the economy and the appearance of new business around to compete with his. "In the beggining there was nothing around", he remembers, a bit nostalgic.
I had to try an Argentina Alfajore.
Menu of the day for the couple Veras-Smele:
And for drinks?
Very touching monument!
A walk though downtown buildings.
We had empanadas for lunch at a very local restaurant called Comet. The owner was a Spaniard who immigrated to Argentina in 1960, and has been one of the original owners of this place for 42 years. He said that a lot has changed and complained about the economy and the appearance of new business around to compete with his. "In the beggining there was nothing around", he remembers, a bit nostalgic.
I had to try an Argentina Alfajore. They are delicious and I am definatelly bringing some home!
ABOUT ALFAJORES FROM WIKIPEDIA:
An alfajor or alajú (plural alfajores) is a traditional Arabic confection found in some regions of Spain and then made with variations in countries of Latin America including Argentina, and Mexico, after being taken there by the colonists. The archetypal alfajor entered Iberia during the period of al-Andalus. It is produced in the form of a small cylinder and is sold either individually or in boxes containing several pieces. In South America due to the lack of ingredients and habits, alfajores were made totally different. Nowadays, they are found most notably in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay ,Chile, Perú and the South of Brazil. Though the food has been popular in Argentina and Uruguay since the mid 19th century, it has its roots in the Arab World.
This is the Plaza of the Republica, where the Obelisco is.
A big space full of tourists.
After walking around for hours and getting sore feet, we headed back to the hotel for a nap.
After walking around for hours and getting sore feet, we headed back to the hotel for a nap.Later on in the evening, trying be like the Argentineans, we went out late for dinner, at around 9 p.m. We choose an area close to the hotel called Palermo hollywood, famous for its night life, bars and restaurants. As you can see in this picture, the place is empty and started getting full after 10:30pm.
A tip: if you are looking for action, don't leave your hotel room before 11pm... for dinner!
Menu of the day for the couple Veras-Smele:steak with red roasted peppers for Mike, and home made egg noodle with goulash meat sauce for me.
And for drinks?A FULL BOTLE of Argentinean wine for Mike and water for me!
Good night!
