On the train to Florida to have a look at the street and centro area,
then off to famous Sunday markets at San Telmo- lots of street stalls. Will see
how it goes, my back is a bit sore last night and this morning- fingers crossed
the Voltaren kicks in.
Have arranged for an Argentinean music tour tonight.
Wandered down Florida to Plaza San Martin, then went to San Telmo and
Dorrego square, famous for antiques, especially on a Sunday. There was a lot of
stuff and as the morning wore on, many, many more people, glad I was early.
Finally found an iced coffee that tastes good @ Havanna.
Bought a few goodies at the markets. It was well worthwhile.
Then took a cab to Caminito out at La Boca where there were more
markets stalls, lots of Tango stuff and the coloured houses the area is famous
for. It is built near a creek and houses the poorer people and artists I think.
Back to San Martin Plaza. Popped into Marriott for some air con and
snuck a free cold cordial then back onto Florida to look at the shops that were
now open Subte back home to shower ready for evening out with Mr Kevin Footer,
a friend of John's from Secret Garden. Kevin is a muso and now lives here (from
US) to pursue a love of Tango dancing and music. Met him at Confiteria Ideal
where we then went upstairs to watch a Tango Milonga. So much more to all this
than the dance. Traditionally couples don't come and dance together. Men and
women sit separately and hook up for a dance through eye contact. It was all
very subtle. The actual dancing was not what I expected, very varied and each
couple expresses their dance to the music differently. After a couple of hours
it finished and we went and had pizza pieces at Güerrin. Which is famous for
pizza by the piece eaten standing at bar. We watched the empanadas being made.
Then we walked around the theatre district caught Subte to Carlos Gardel, saw an amazing building under full moon - Albasto - I think and
checked out another Tango bar with a more contemporary Milonga. Eventually home
to bed about midnight. Learnt a lot but not what I was expecting. So while I
keep living by the advice to hold no expectations it was a really interesting
experience of Buenos Aires at night and certainly we went to places I would
never have ventured.
Catching the Subte trene (Subway train) cost was 2.50 (pesos) = approx 50c. very cheap way to get around.
THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE AROUND THE CENTRO - BUENOS AIRES AREA.
Naval club entry.
The police car! - Keystone Cops eat your heart out!
Plaza San Martin
Little Mall
Galeria Pacifico
Florida - not a street or avenida...just Florida.
Galleria Mitre - Falabella is a chain store - was not open. Their sign messes up a beautiful facade.
Buildings opposite the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House). I liked the various shapes on the skyline...pity about red and white antenna towers everywhere.
De Mayo Statue in front of Casa Rosada.
Skyline.
The Pink House.
San Telmo Markets.
A side 'alley' full of antique stores.
San Telmo Church.
Soda Bottles are an icon of Buenos Aires - traditionally a lot of people had soda delivered and they often order wine and a siphon of soda and mix it at their table...or so google says.
Lots of old stuff.
Copper
Tango on the street.
Some cartoon figure.
Street art.
NOW TO LA BOCA - LOTS OF SHOTS HERE OF THE COLOURED HOUSES in CAMINITO.
Back to Florida, which is now open, this is inside Galeria Pacifico - a high end shopping centre, bit like the posh part of Chaddy.
Subte art.
Juggler - busking on the train.
Abasto - now a shopping complex I think, with full moon overhead.
Watching them tango at Ideal Milonga.
The dance hall - Milonga Hall, Tango Place.
Wine and pizza pieces, while watching this guy make empanadas.
The sign says Cash, pizzas by the piece...I think.
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