Chile & Argentina: Andes To Patagonia Day 3

Day 03 - Wednesday, March 18, 2015 - Explore Buenos Aires; Tango Lesson; Optional Tour - Tango Show & Dinner

The breakfast in the hotel was the best ever of the trip – we had many varieties of fruits including bananas, which are many times harder to find in the city hotels. At 8:30 am we met the whole group and set off on a 45 minute walking tour of the city.

As we walked to the Cementerio de la Recoleta, we made several stops to look at the architecture, to photograph the beautiful flowering palo borracho, or the drunken tree, and to see the site of the former Israel Embassy that was bombed 23 years ago. The current controversy about the prosecutor’s unanswered death is still in the news today.

Our destination was La Recoleta Cemetery, where many of Argentina’s most famous families are buried in marble mausoleums. We met our Local Guide, Maria who took us through the rows and rows of ornately decorated tombs. Among the most famous were the Duarte Family and the memorial to their daughter Eva (Evita) Duarte Perón.

Buenos Aires is a very popular cruise ship port and while we were leisurely walking in the cemetery, dozens of groups of “cruisers” were rushing to stand in line to have their photos taken in front of Evita’s mausoleum.

It is at times like this that we are so happy to be explorers with a small group of people instead a herd of tourists. At 10:30 we completed our tour of Recoleta and our driver for the day, Walter took us to see more of this wealthy neighborhood.

The weather was warm, but not as hot as yesterday, at 85 degrees and only 45% humidity, the day was very pleasant. During these last few days of summer, the gardeners are clearing off the dead blossoms and preparing the flowerbeds for fall and winter.

Maria told us of the city’s history and famous sites as well as the rich history of tango that began by the working classes in the port areas of Buenos Aries. Once a scandalous dance, it is now one of the most admired and precision couples dances in ballroom dancing.

We found our way to La Boca, a Bohemian neighborhood at the mouth of the Matanza River. Another on the “must see list” of the Cruise Ships, it was crowded and full of artist shops and souvenir stores. Gennie bought a few post cards and she found stamps, a major accomplishment!

This is a good time to say a few words about money in Argentina. Although there is an official exchange rate, there is also a “Blue Rate”, not quite a Black Market, but better than the banks or the ATMs give. When we were in La Boca, Christian advised us to change money, and the rate was 12-1. The hotel is giving 10 to 1. The official exchange rate is 8.79 Argentinian Pesos to the US Dollar.

The famous soccer (football) club Boca Juniors was founded in 1905 by a group of Italian immigrants from Genoa. The colors of blue and gold dominate the neighborhood and Diego Maradona is considered an even better loved celebrity than Pope Francis who is also from Buenos Aires.

We drove back to the civic center of the city to visit the Plaza de Mayo. While Maria was telling us about the Dirty War between 1976 and 1983 and the thousands of young people who “were disappeared”, Vic found a group of young students to talk with about present day life in the capital.

There were 15 minutes to walk around the square and take photos of the “Pink Palace” or Casa Rosada, which is the seat of the federal government and the office of the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

At 5:45 we had to meet the group for our tango lesson. We went to a 19th-century dance hall or milonga. The tango is difficult, subtle, and very traditional, making it easy to watch but tough to do. One member of our group, Mary had been taking lessons and made us all look like we had two left feet!

Back at the hotel we had an hour to get ready for the evening’s optional activity, the Tango Show and Dinner. At 8:30 six of us left for Esquina Carlos Gardel, a well-known tango house that was named for the creator of the tango.

Having seen the show when we were here in 2007, it was as much fun as the first time! Given 5.5 stars by Trip-Advisor, it is a must see when coming to Argentina.

Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel - - - Meal: B & D

Still my favorite city that I've visited! We went to a Boca Juniors game and it was quite an experience.

I would loved o see y'all working at the tango. That one place, the Presidential residence, resembles the Alamo - you think? I know this was a FUN day!!

Can't help but to imagine Madonna singing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" as I look at your colorful pictures and the mausoleum of the Duarte Family. And Vic and Gennie cutting a rug, doing the tango

Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

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Island Beauties

Island Beauties

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Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

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