Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Before we delve into the doings on our first full day in Argentina, let's look back on a great photo that Brian FitzGerald took from his widow seat on our flight from Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires yesterday.
That flight took us over South America's
famed Andes Mountain range
A very cool photo, thanks Brian!
Now, for our first full day in Argentina's vibrant capital city of Buenos Aires. First founded in 1536 by Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, it would be abandoned four years later due to a lack of resources and hostility from the pesky native Querandi people.
So much for the title "Conquistador."
Spanish explorer Juan de Garay re-founded the city in 1580 and it has thrived ever since.
There are currently 3.12 million people who call Buenos Aires their home thus earning them the nickname of porteños as the locals are referred.
An old church near our flat that
is located in the tower to the right
Argentinian Military Pride
An Old Person's Home drew
my attention for some reason . . .
. . . as did this car
You can Google this restaurant's
name that caught my eye
Llamas need love too
Another possible dining spot
in our neighborhood
NICE!
Yes, Meat is King in Argentina
Four Café con Leches and four
buttery croissants to go, por favor
I made the morning breakfast run on behalf of our otherwise sleepy group this morning.
Our late morning constitutional
walk took us past several interesting
sights, some religious . . .
. . . some not
Remembering the the 1982 war with
Great Britain over the long disputed
possession on the Falkland (British name)
or Malvinas (Argentine name) Islands
The U.K. won that war and now claims full possession of these islands located in the Atlantic Ocean that lie about 300 miles East of Argentina's Patagonian coast.
Sharp looking man on the grounds
of an Argentine Infantry Base
Mary would love this setup
as we entered the Palermo Viejo
district of Buenos Aires
Ancient mail slot on a
Palermo Viejo door
Now this is different
A Book/Chocolate store,
NOW WE ARE TALKING!
Brian FitzGerald seen walking
into a Catholic Church just
before he burst into flames
The church organ was
right this way
St. Santiago being a bit cheeky
Laurie's favorite saint, Teresa,
was much more prim and proper
Wine tasting here was out . . .
. . . we were much more
hungry than thirsty
PERFECT!
Each couple split a delicious
burger, fries and had beers in this
delightful, eclectic hole in the wall
El Diablo is always amongst us
This is how one conquers El Diablo
Did I mention that the Palermo
district is colorful?
Don Julio is probably the most
iconic parrilla dining spot in
all of Buenos aires
That is indeed saying a lot!
T-Rex sighting in Buenos Aires'
HUGE Parque 3 de Febrero
Another of Brian's great photos
This time he captured Santa Claus on one final vacation before the start of the busy Christmas rush.
We entered the well thought out
Eva Perón Museum
Evita was the famous wife of Argentine dictator Juan Perón.
She was the Argentine First Lady from June 4, 1946 to July 26, 1952 when she lost her battle with cancer at the age of 33.
The wonderful 1978 musical play by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and then 1996 movie "Evita" tells her story.
Laurie taking a time out
on her Evita Rainbow Tour
Photos were not allowed of any of the museum's exhibits.
Ornate museum entrance gate
Two headed gargoyles
are a must at any museum
Evita never lived in this now museum
space that she founded as a transitioning
center for women and children trying
to find a better home and life
The kids at the museum
We resumed our walk now going through the Parque 3 de Febrero.
Huge Memorial on the
Avenida del Libertador
The park had lots of statues . . .
. . . and more than a few parrots
The sky is so BLUE in Buenos Aires!
Laurie by the roots of a Banyan tree
A tribute in the Ukrainian sector
of the park
They are still struggling in the
Ukraine to this day
Fun bird's nest in the crook of
this statue's arm
As we continued our day long, leisurely stroll we approached a statue from behind. For some reason I said, "Let's all guess the name of the man portrayed in said statue."
Brian: "Jorge"
Koreen: "Francisco"
Laurie: "George"
Me: "Antonio"
The correct answer was
George as in George Washington
What was he doing in Buenos Aires?
Laurie won giving her the right to pick our dinner spot this evening.
The Founder of Rotary Club
in Argentina
Laurie's father, Bill, was a proud Rotarian.
Lioness feeding her cubs
Power and Grandeur
Skyscrapers and Tired Explorers
Some wars are never lost
"The Malvinas Islands Are Argentine"
This sign is posted on every Buenos Aires public transportation bus.
Laurie's dinner choice was for a break from red meat for a night.
Italian it was!
Another eclectic dining spot
for Koreen's culinary pleasure
Laurie and a Glass of Wine
A good pairing if you ask me.
Of course Vaffanculo's steps
were decorated
Koreen and I both ordered the
Pasta Vaffanculo
Our fun waiter Lorenzo tossed
our warm pasta into this parmesan
cheese bowl to melt the cheese into
our pasta, GREAT IDEA!
Our food was Molto Bene!
Italy should be proud of the
pasta served here!
Me with my new friend Lorenzo
Well dressed Argentinians on the
prowl for a night of dining and
tango dancing I believe.
I took this photo while we all had a small cup of Lucciano's Gelataria across the street from Vaffanculo.
Now that is a much improved
physical fitness record than yesterday
Meanwhile, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California on Monday's Veteran Day . . .
Jacob took part in the annual
ceremonies honoring the Veterans
of all of America's wars in his
newest Civil War uniform
I'm sure that he would have
loved to fire this cannon
Jacob was "detailed" to the Washington Artillery of New Orleans outfit all day.
What a life we lead, stay tuned . . .
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