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Just re-writing this blog, as it didn't save it and I lost it last night! Very frustrating.
Yesterday, after a delicious breakfast of cakes and coffee, we went off to have a look round Buenos Aires. We saw the palacio del congreso, shown in the photo, and visited the stunning cathedral, which we almost missed, because it looks like an art gallery, or a museum from the outside. We visited the Casa Rosada, where Eva Peron made her famous address to the people of Buenos Aires from the balcony. (Or Madonna, for those that have seen the film!)
While we waited for our free guided tour, we chatted to the Argentinian guide, who told us that his name was Kevin, and his Grandfather came from Co. Westmeath! We also met 2 Argentinian lads from Rio del Plata, one of whom was a big Man. City fan, and a very nice American couple, older than us, who had been travelling round Argentina for 6 weeks.
After a bit more wandering, we went for a late lunch. 'Trout in tin foil' for Tony, and linguini with mushrooms for me (thanks to the Italian heritage in Buenos Aires, they serve pasta everywhere). While we were waiting, they brought us a basket of bread rolls, and a small dipping bowl of something that looked like milk, but tasted and smelled awful - I asked the waiter what it was, and he said CHEESE! I mean, who ever thought of liquid cheese?? You certainly couldn't put it in a sandwich! Another surprise was when Tony asked for a cider, and instead of the pint he was expecting, they brought a bottle in a champagne bucket with ice and two champagne flutes - very nice. We Made our way back to the hotel at about 6where Tony promptly fell asleep on the bed. I was also dozing off trying to work my way through 138 NHS emails, so I think it was the time difference catching up with us, and tiredness from the long flight - or maybe it was the cider!
Today, after mass at the cathedral, I bumped into the American couple from yesterday, who unfortunately had been robbed later that afternoon. They had been unwittingly pelted from behind with some fake pigeon droppings, which they thought was made from yoghurt and wasabi, then the perpetrators came forward to help clean them up, and with all the 'rubbing down' of their coats etc. managed to steal their i-pad. They were very disappointed, as they hadn't had any other problems the whole time they've been here. We visited the Bicentenary museum, which chronicles the historical events in Argentina since independence from Spain in 1810, with some very interesting film footage too. There were also some poignant displays in tribute to the 30,000 'desaparecidos' and their families, who, more than 30 years on, are still waiting for answers to what became of their loved ones.
later we braved the Subte (metro) which wasn't as scary as it looked, and very cheap, and went to Recoleta to visit the cemetery where Evita Peron is buried. It was an amazing place - like a town with streets, and the tombs were like houses. Some of them were incredibly grand. They had glass in the ornate wrought iron doors, so you could look in and see the coffins stacked up on marble shelves. Some of them also had steps going down to a basement level with even more coffins. Very bizarre. There were also identical fluffy black and white cats everywhere, which made us wonder if it was just the same cat playing tricks on us!
In the evening, we met the rest of our tour group and went out for a meal together. Everyone seems really nice. there are only 9 of us at the moment, including the guide and the driver, so it's very easy to get to know each other.
We're leaving at 7am, and have a 12 hour drive to Mercedes, so off to bed now......... Buenas noches!
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