Mariella and I caught a train into town on last Saturday morning and walked the streets of Buenos Aires taking in the sights. We went into the big cathedral to discover a service in progress. We tourists wandered round taking in the amazing ornate gilt decorations and stained glass everywhere. A group of guards in full uniform opened some iron gates to reveal the tomb of San Martin, who is seen as the saviour of Argentina, as he led the army to several victories that eventually saw the liberation of the country. There are many monuments in the city to San Martin. We walked the famous 9th Avenue, wandered down many, many streets to see the multitude of famous buildings and sites of downtown Buenos Aires. Around 5.30 we took a bus home, showered and got ready to go back into town to see a tango show. It started at 10pm in a small theatre in the center of town. There were 3 musicians, one on a grand piano, one on a double bass and of course the accordian player. I have discovered that the accordian is alive and well and living in Argentina. They are smaller than most accordians we see here, square in shape and with buttons on both ends, not keys. The accordian player had studied tango music and was a tango artist as much as the dancers were. There were 3 couples in the show who performed singularly, in pairs and all 3 together. There was also a singer who performed several songs. The show started rather slowly but built up into an incredible performance. Mariella and I had seats right near the front so had a fantastic view. We had discussed going on to a bar after the show but decided that we had both had enough and caught a taxi home.
On Sunday, we had a late start to the day, then caught a train out to El Tigre which is a tourist market destination on the river. We wandered through the stalls before stopping for lunch at an outdoor cafe by the river. There was a duo playing jazz, a sax and a guitar, the sun was shining, the boats were going up and down the river, which all made for a wonderful relaxing afternoon.
On Monday, Mariella had to go back to work so I went into town with her on the train and subte (subway). I had breakfast at a wonderful old bar just down the road from her office, before setting out for a day's sightseeing. I met up with Lorena's dad at 11.30 and we set off in his taxi to La Boca. We had only gone for a couple of blocks when the taxi in front of us crashed into a car and we had to stop in a hurry. When we could get going again, Airel's taxi felt as though the brake was locked on. We stopped and he checked round the car but couldn't see anything obviously wrong. We had travelled another few blocks when I noticed clouds of smoke in the side rear view mirror!! We were on a very busy road but just had to pull over and stop. The smoke was pouring out from behind the back wheel.
Eventually Ariel called up another taxi for me and I went back into the center of town as he had to wait 3 hours for a tow truck. I ended up window shopping down Florida, which is a pedestrian mall which runs for about a kilometre. I saw a couple tango dancers in the mall and several musicians of various types.
On Tuesday I caught the bus to the cemetary which is world famous for it's design. The whole place is above ground, and below, with thousands of ornate memorials and tombs and cats!! Eva Peron is intombed here plus all the famous politians, writers, poets, etc. It is an amazing place, and well worth a visit. I then walked back into town, which was further than it looked on the map. I eventually found the AFS office and had a debrief with the manager there, who offered to organise a taxi to the airport for me later that night. From there I caught a bus to La Boca, which is the colourful district where tango is king! The buildings are all painted in multi colours, which stems from the old days where the people used to ask for any left over paint from the ships that called into the docks there. These days the tradition is kept up and the whole area is a tourist destination with cafes, bars, tango in the streets and tourist shops a plenty. I made my way back to town and we caught a lift back home with Airel who had had his taxi fixed. I had a hour or so to shower and finish packing before my taxi arrived.
John, Hannah and Tim were there to meet me and we arrived home before the sun was up. I stayed awake all day, trying to get accustomed to NZ time. A couple of times the house swayed and dipped, but mostly I coped.
Now it is Saturday and I am enjoying the company of my family. They coped very well in my absence and I can see that some new habits will have to be continued! eg John folded the washing this morning!
I had many amazing experiences in Argentina, I met some wonderful people and saw many things I wish could be different. To live in a community for a month allows you to really see how life is, and you really appreciate how fortunate we are here in New Zealand.
Thanks for being part of my journey, I have enjoyed relaying my adventures.
Chau
Viv
