In spite of the size of Buenos Aires we have been enjoying our time here for the past week in this beautiful city. There is some incredible architecture (and constant renovation work going on) along with many new condominiums going up around the waterfront. It feels safe to walk around and there is a very vibrant evening life in the city which is not always the case in North America. Their subway system is extensive, cheap (.30 cents) and easy to use so it has come in handy when our legs are weary of walking or it is getting late in the day.
Caity arrived here on Monday and we are pleased to have her company. She has quickly picked up the tango as you can see in the picture! Since we are staying in Buenos Aires for 9 days we decided to rent an apartment rather than stay in a hostel. It is a little more expensive ($50 a night) but we have a lovely place with a sunny terrace balcony in one of the nicer neighbourhoods (Palermo) with easy access to most places of interest. So far we have done walking tours of Centro (main downtown area, massive architecture), Recoleta (plush, Parisian style neighbourhood, Cemetary with marble tombs......and Evita Peron), Puerto Madero (abandoned port which has been renovated with great walking paths), La Boca (older colourful, Italian district, home of Maradona and the soccer stadium) along with Palermo Hollywood and Soho. Our only disappointment occurred this morning on a very busy subway ride where a pickpocket (and his accomplices) managed to discreetly remove $60 (250 pesos) from my pocket. I was aware of the risk but while keeping a close eye on my backpack during the shoving to get into the subway car it happened quickly and I didn't even notice it until we got off the train. I'm more mad at myself than them for letting it happen since I normally have less $ in my pocket and the rest zipped up somewhere else. I guess I got a little complacent after a week in the city and enjoying everything it has to offer. Lesson learned.
Tomorrow we plan to rent bikes and tour the Costanera Sur, an ecological reserve by the waterfront. On Sunday we will take Caity to San Telmo which we went to last week-end before she arrived. They have a wonderful handicrafts market on Sundays, great antiques shops (good thing we don't have any room left in our backpacks) and tango dancing in the streets. On Monday we will take a short train ride to Tigre (1 hour, .50 cents) and take a boat tour of the delta area before heading into Uruguay.
Ciao.
Hey, don’t party that much that there is a lot to see and you cant miss it since is a once in a lifetime experience. You are so right about BA, it resembles Paris in a spectacular and magical kind of way. No wonder they call it "the Paris of South America" It carries this European style like any other city in Latin America. Even its citizens are mostly Italian descendants. Last year I also had rented Buenos Aires Real Estate near Recoleta and I visited the cemetery. Architecture was magnificent and I had the best time.
ReplyDeleteLindsay