Some of this email is excerpted from 2009. We are off to Buenos Aires, Argentina this morning on the 9am flight from Mendoza. This small town has been a nice and restful stop for us, except for our driving escapades. But look at it this way. We got our money´s worth on the 200km a day price.
Dinner last night was a rather quiet deal. We first had a bottle of the champagne that Mike bought in the hotel lobby. No corkage fee. Some futbol team arrived amid great fanfare, but we don´t know or care who they were. Everyone else did, however.
So, some quick coffee, and off we go to the big city. It is the capital and largest city in Argentina, and the 2nd largest city in South America, after Sao Paulo, Brazil. The population is around 13 million! But most importantly, tango music was born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, mostly in the brothels and poorer suburbs. We will be in Recoleta, an upscale district that combines Parisian architecture with trendy high-rises and a variety of cultures.
But I promise one thing. I will have the biggest Argentinean steak I can find. And we will tango!
Somehow, I found a very nice hotel online in Recoleta, the nicest section of Buenos Aires. The rooms were just fine, but the elevator was rather curious. It would only hold two people, or one person and a suitcase or bag!
After some people watching in a cafe, we headed over to Evita Peron’s grave in the nearby cemetery. It is the only grave allowed to have flowers!
Since Mike had passed through BA many times, on his way to hunting dove on the estancias of Argentina, he easily guided me through the most interesting neighborhoods of BA: La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo, Retiro, and our area, Recoleta.
But in La Boca, we had the chance to learn the tango. Though I was not dressed quite right, the dancers were more than willing to show us some basic tango moves (see above). If I ever return, I will take formal lessons in a tango studio!
When dinner time rolled around, we had scoped out the best meat emporium (parilla) in Recoleta for our dinner. We ordered the largest beef plate on the menu. It was brought out on a hot grill, about the size of a larger checker board (about 3 feet by 3 feet!). Another Malbec was ordered, and we proceeded to power through the various cuts. Once I could not identify the meat, I had to stop. Mike tried them all, with no consequences the next day!!!
Buenos Aires is one of the great cities of the world. High in culture, excellent food and drink, interesting neighborhoods, friendly people, I would go back! Maybe in 2021?
Wonderful! Hopefully one day I’ll make it to South America!
Both Mendoza and BA are great fun, wine, red meat, tango, and very interesting neighborhoods, with nice people. I would go back in a heart beat!!!!