*FYI: I am taking the time to edit my writing…just trying to record our trip so someday when I'm too old to travel…I can re-live it!
Checked off the last of our packing list & headed to Ben's by 9 am. He dropped us off at the airport, flew to Dallas & had a 7 hr layover & then arrived in Buenos Aires around 10 am the next day! (Note +2 hour time difference). McD, Burger King & Outback were there ready to greet us! We grabbed an Uber & headed for our hotel. I got Verizon on the line because our data plan didn't kick in…it took about 1 1/2 hrs to successfully get it working! Meanwhile, we juggled our cell phones which had to be hooked to our power pack & our luggage all the while trying to get into our hotel room. Exhausting but it worked ! Then we went out in search of food & quickly found empanadas in a small local stand. We walked by a McD & Kentucky. Back in our hotel room, we took a power nap then went off to check out the block we're on. The highlight of the day was a show at Senor Tango. And what a show it was! Two & a half hours of precision dancing, live band, elaborate outfits & terrific vocalists. The grand finale included an awesome & inspiring rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Almost made me cry!
Our Uber driver back to our hotel was a young man who seemed wise beyond his years as we talked about the Argentina & US political climate. He said Argentina is filled with good people & we all just need more empathy. I think that's true for all countries. We crashed at 12:30 am.
Day 2 started after a light hotel breakfast before catching the Hop-on-Hop-off bus at 9:30 a.m. Riding on the top deck catching the breeze under a bright, blue sky and hot sun, we passed by most of the iconic sites & buildings while listening to a recorded descriptive narrative. We hopped off in China Town for lunch & a stroll and then finished the 3 hour tour. We were impressed with Buenos Aires: lots of trees & open spaces, orderly traffic, public busses every where, clean and so many ornate buildings with unique architecture! We did see lots of tall housing units that looked pretty shabby on our way into the city coming from the airport yesterday so assume that's where most the workers live.
By 3 it was time to get out of the 90 degree temp & rest. Around 5 we headed back out and though it was drizzling, we walked toward the Central Park to the palace where Evita gave her last speech from the balcony to thousand of her devoted countrymen. It seemed appropriate that it was sprinkling…Don't Cry for me Argentina! Luckily we were also able to go inside the home cathedral of Pope Francis. The sun came out on our walk back. What a full day of enjoying Buenos Aires!
