Tuesday 14 March was another beautiful day in Buenos Aires. All three days we’ve been here have been sunny and warm, around 26 degrees. We walked to the Botanical Gardens. The walk was lovely. We went through a well heeled part of town that reminded us of Russian Hill in San Fransisco. The public library was nearby. Amazing brutalist architecture.
We saw a dog walker and I surreptitiously took a picture, (he didn’t look as though he’d like being photographed). We wonder how much they make. There are all sorts of people doing it; young old, male, female. Looks like hard work.
We admired the buildings along the street. Residential apartments. New and old, short and tall. They all have concierges sitting at little desks in the lobbies. Lots of greenery on some balconies. Most have shutters. Here are some examples.
We had coffee and lemon cake on the way and then found the gardens. They were smaller than I imagined but pretty in parts. Here’s a beautiful cotton tree. And a furry fir tree and shady glade. And a couple of green houses (that we couldn’t get into). We were pleased to find a bust of San Martin. Lots of people there. Sitting and lying on benches, eating, hanging out.
Then we walked on to the Evita Museum. Lunch first. We ordered and waited, and waited. This is the Argentine way it appears. I had a hamburger; no bun (good) and not an ounce of fat. They’re big on breaded meat here which means schnitzels. Joe said his beef ones were good. So was a steak and a plate of squid ink tagliatelle. The museum was good, especially the video footage of Peron and Evita. She was so young! Twenty eight when she undertook an international tour as First Lady – the Pope, Franco, other Latin American countries. There was also footage from her films, mostly in minor roles. She enjoyed greater success in her radio roles apparently. Andrea told us she had a wonderful voice. There were some clothes on display as well. She was tiny in the waist, but reasonably tall I think. The potted history I bought is a bit elliptical or obscure about key moments in her life. And completely silent on the drama surrounding her remains whichAndrea had told us about. You get the feeling a lot is being left unsaid. So, still a controversial figure.
After that we had a long forced march in search of a camera store to purchase a polarising filter for my camera. A late suggestion for the trip to Antarctica. Specialty camera stores are a rarity it seems. We ended up at a tiny place. The owner buzzing us inside where we waited while he attended to three others. Very hot inside the tiny place. All to no avail. He had no filters for such an old (but good) camera and knew of no other place in Buenos Aires that would. So back to the Sileo Hotel in Recoleta.
In the evening we were picked up and whisked away to our Tango Experience. I had grave misgivings that this would be a tacky touristy event but it was great. Although saying we were whisked away to it is a bit of a stretch. Staggering traffic congestion meant we were stationary for a lot of our time on the road. Melbourne you ain’t seen anything like real city congestion. I hope we avoid it. When we weren’t stationary we were careering down little streets perilously close to pedestrians and sidewalks. But we arrived safe and sound in time for Joe and Eleanor to participate in the tango lesson on offer. They took to it like ducks to water. Patrick and I sat it out – someone had to take pictures!
After they received their certificates for mastering the art of tango we were ushered into a theatre auditorium and fed a very good meal. Empanadas and steak. Here we are at table. Our best meal yet. And quickly served so we would be ready for the tango dancers to strut their stuff. And wow did they do it! They were absolutely phenomenal. This was real tango dancing not the saccharine version you see on shows like Dancing With The Stars. They were amazing – both men and women. Legs, arms, hands, feet – all used to express emotion. Each dance an entire story. They danced in pairs and in groups. Moving in perfect synch. The band, arranged on a platform above the dancers was also great. It really was a fantastic show. These pictures don’t do the performances justice.
We were back in the van at 11.30 and to our hotel by midnight. A great night had by all.
Pauline says
Well done Eleanor and Joe. Photos show a certain style. And Patrick and Jenny “someone had to take the photos”… we will leave that there. All looking great and making me want to learn more
Mary says
Tango photos absolute gold!! Fabulous tales from afar !