in Buenos Aires ...

... we have arrived. First steak has been consumed and first bottle of Argentinian wine is gone - therefore, more, later ...

here some impressions from the trip via Dalles to Buenos Aires
and some pictures from our first day in the city,
or go to the roof top of our hotel.

Ricardo was right: Man, it is hot in Buenos Aires. On the second day I got my first blisters on the left foot - Hola and Adiós from limping Sigi.

Third day photos: still unedited.
Last day: batteries may be empty ...

And now in words (edits in italics by Sigi):

Day 1:

Arrived after a LONG 10 ½ hour flight in Buenos Aires. Welcomed by a hotel (Moreno) taxi driver who didn’t speak a word during the 20 minute drive from the airport to the hotel. There we stowed our luggage because it was too early to check in and went out to start exploring our surroundings. First problem: North is indicated on the city map as being to the right lower corner, meaning in our view it’s south east … a bit tricky to navigate… but old reliable map reader and navigator Sigi was able to get us to the canal with all the cool restaurants and promenade (she tries to be funny here, I missed the target by a mile). Lunch on a terazza with dos cervezas and a big Argentinian steak. Lots of Spanish to listen to and also trying to speak and understand… Not easy after being up for over 24 hours.

Back to the hotel and a very necessary siesta. After that it was back to the city – walking to the Avenida de Mayo where a big Tango festival was underway on the avenue. Stages were set up every few dozen meters with Tango singers and dancers performing. The avenida was splendidly lit for the occasion. Later at night the audience and pedestrians were participating in Tango dancing right in the street, each couple trying to out-perform the other. Sigi and I didn’t dance – not knowing the Tango moves and being too tired by then (and we didn't want to insult the Argentinians). However, there was enough energy for a meal and a bottle of wine in a botega overlooking the spectacle in the street.

Day 2:

We overslept (What?)! Our bodies told us to relax and we listened. At 9.30 we went up to the 7^th floor of our hotel and had a buffet style continental breakfast – not before going out to the terrace which provides a spectacular view of the city (see surround photo).  Then it was on to our first serious excursion, the obelisk in the middle of the city on the Avenida Nuevo Julio. Turned out to be a walking exercise of sorts because we went into wrong direction for about 5 km… Turned around and got there in the brutal heat of the midday sun, only to find the obelisk cordoned off for a car race… At least we saw it from afar - well 50 m! not 10,000 km. Back to the hotel for a longer siesta, nursing a few blisters. We did get up and going again in the evening, exploring the neighbouring pedestrian passages with all the street vendors. Found a couple of cheap sunglasses. My old one was broken, when we arrived, Sigi forgot his at home. Ended up in a very classy dinner place off the street, ate well and watched the goings-on outside. Back to the hotel and into the “Vinoteca” next door called “Aldo” where we took a very nice night cap of a Malbec Reserva 2009. The whole bottle was as much as we’d have to pay in Canada for a single glass … guess what we shall do tomorrow night upon return to the hotel.

On to a sightseeing tour in a double decker bus tomorrow – we found the bus stop and the “Boleteria” (ticket booth). (No extended walking for me!)

Day 3: once we have time
Day 4: maybe or maybe not