Photo Album: Buenos Aires the Eva Peron City
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It was a grilling 14 hours across the Pacific from Sydney to Buenos Aires over the Antarctic seas. The Aerolineas Argentinas services were basic, no individual entertainment system etc., overall, it was an OK experience.
It was a late summery afternoon when the plane landed, after the formalities, we were out at the terminal, catching a taxi from the stand. After negotiating a fare that is closed to our B&B hosts, Liz and Nelson's, we reached their place somewhere on the south side of downtown without any delays. The directions they gave and photos provided helped tremendously. We had a warm welcome and good briefing by Liz & Nelson for the next two days activities in town; a lot of walking!
Liz and Nelson are Australians, who, because of their love of Tango, came to live in Buenos Aires, totally immersed in the culture of Tango here. Nelson, is actually a teacher of Tango. As I understand it, Buenos Aires is the World Capital of Tango as well, but unfortunately, for this trip, we did not plan to stay long enough to experience this very interesting culture with them.
We really planned to stay in Buenos Aires for one and half day, and would be picking up our rental car and embark on our grand circuit itinerary less then 48 hours after arrival.
After receiving some pointers from our hosts over breakfast, we headed out of their home, and start exploring the City of Eva Peron. Here is a couple of links about the tumultuous Peronist years and the involvement and subsequent rise of Eva Peron in the mid-1900s histories of Argentina.
So our first destination was to walk to the Presidential Building, hoping that it was opened for public viewing.
It was a sunny, quiet sunday morning when we started out, there were not many people on the streets.
Despite misgivings, we felt quite safe to take our camera out and take a few photos along our way.
My first impression, but only a first impression, that Buenos Aires had seen better days, a little run down. It is certainly Europe like, but more like Eastern Europe.
When we reached Plaza de Mayo Square, it was quite easy to locate the Presidential Buidling, Casa de Rosada, the pink building at the end of the square.
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| Presidential Office guards - outside the Pink House |
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| Casa Rosada - the Pink House |
After a little bit of enquiry, we were pleasantly informed that the building was opened for public guided tours today, and is free. We were booked in the next group, half an hour later.
So in the meantime, we decided to walk around the courtyards and the ground level of the building.
Straightaway, we could see the influence of the charismatic Perons; President Juan Peron and his wife Eva Peron in the history of Argentina
An Impressionist painting of President Juan Peron
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| Eva Peron - First Lady of President Juan Peron |
As the tour guide took us through the building, the Perons, especially Eva Peron figures very prominently in the building, and the political development of Argentina in the mid-1900s.
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| Eva Perons making a passionate speeches to her people from Casa Rosada |
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| Eva Peron's Office |
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| From this balcony where Eva Peron made her last speech to the people of Argentina |
After Casa Rosada, and lunched nearby, we walked towards the north, at Plaza San Martin's direction.
Some beautiful handicrafts were being sold at some street stalls, but whether these are local made or not, is uncertain.
As we reached the business district along Florida St., we tried our luck with one of the ATMs inside Citi Bank, and pop came the cash, now, at least we knew it worked.
However, we were tipped by many online travelers, as well as our hosts, that, the rate from un-official ( read black market !) exchangers would give a much better rate, something like 30-40% more. It seems that the Argentinian Peso is on a slippery slope at this time, the official exchange rate vs USD is about 1:5.5, but along the streets, we could hear street side exchangers are murmuring 1:7.8 as we strolled by. Our USD cash may come into handy, as ATM withdrawals are only done in official rates plus fees. But the question is, can you trust the street side exchangers ?
After some walking around the Plaza San Martin area, we took a taxi to Plaza Dorrego, which Liz and Nelson told us about the Sunday Antique Market there, and all that sizzles associated with a open air fair.
And it did not disappoint. There were a big crowded everywhere, antique stalls, street artists, and many more.
The revolutions had not finished ?!
Remember when did you last used one of these...
Street bands playing great Latino musics.
Impromtu street Tango.
So it was time to walk back to Liz & Nelson's place and enjoyed a great evening with them over a fine dinner prepared by Nelson. Great cook he was.
After a restless night, trying to overcome our jet lags, we tried to have our breakfast at the normal time, though a little tired.
After packing up our bags, we left them there, and went out for some more wandering on the Buenos Aires streets.
Liz and Nelson had shown us great hospitality and we look forward to coming back to their place on our return in a few weeks time, but unfortunately, by then, they would be visiting Australia. So we bade good bye.
This time we decided to wander along the Av 9 de Julio. It is a major avenue, with multilane traffics, and the never missed Eva Peron.
And some boab trees as well
We decided to familiarise our self with the location of the small rental car company, Baires Car Rental, so that we can minimise any delays later in the day. So we took the metro underground to Santa Fe Station. The train was quite crowded and were quite old, so we were somewhat careful with possible pick pockets.
We were expecting some big signs of the company if not a big shop front when we were at the front door of a building looking more suited to middle class apartments, none was found ! And no one knew the Company at the front door !! We were totally nonplussed.
Our trip depended very much on this company, as they promised to organise all the custom paper works for crossing borders between Chile and Argentina vs some of the major rental companies, which was major part of the entire itinerary. Although no cash deposits had been made, but it would be a major setback and delay if they failed to perform. So we hurried to the nearest MacDonald, and got onto Wifi with our laptop, and contacted the company with haste.
Yes we were at the right building, but they only have a small sign inside the front security door. So we went back and buzzed the right button. Finally, we were at their office.
They assured me that everything was in order, and the border crossing paper works were being picked up as we spoke. Payment was to be in USD cash as initially agreed, and they proposed that if we are agreeable, they were happy to exhange some money for us at a good market rate of 1:7.8, but I need to tell them early, so they can prepare the cash. The company was quite small, and the boss/manger was quite young, and professional in his manners, we were reassured somewhat. He asked us to comeback at the agreed time of 1500 hrs, have our cash ready, and pick up the car.
Would we had any problems? Our trip hinged totally on this rental car company performing.
Next Post : Commencing our big drive to the south
Other Posts: Index - 2013 Argentina-Chile self drive.
Other Posts: Index - 2013 Argentina-Chile self drive.
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