Day Two in Buenos Aires

Day two in Buenos Aires was much like the first but a warmer 28 degrees.  After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we rejoined the Hop On bus tour of the city.  We still had one remaining line to travel to visit a few remaining neighbourhoods. 

We continue to be struck by how many mature trees this city has in both its parks and boulevards.  These are not new trees but by Deborah’s estimation over 100 years old.

The Covered Roof on the Hop On Was Appreciated Today!

Today’s tour took us along the Rio de la Plata (or River Plate in English).  The Plata is the body of water separating Argentina from Uruguay.  Some say it isn’t a river at all but a gulf.  Regardless, it is muddy like a river but you can’t see to the other side.  If it is a river, Wiki states that it is the widest river in the world.  Uruguay is 220 kilometres across the water from Buenos Aires.

Our bus took us along the river shore and into the neighbourhoods of Palermo, Belgrano and others I can’t remember. I’ll let Deborah’s pictures tell the remaining story.

After we got back we returned to the hunt for money from the elusive currency filled ATMs.  The first few we tried didn’t even let us try.  They were locked behind closed doors.  We did get lucky on the third try.  Currency conversion is confusing here.  We pay different rates depending on where we are.  I guess when hard currency is in short supply the rates vary.

You Figure Out What They Pay Here for Gas

We didn’t go out for happy hour today.  After wandering through the air-conditioned shopping mall nearby, we bought a bottle of wine, beer, olives, pickles, grapes and crackers for a sundown in our hotel.  (Beer cost continues to be confusing.  I bought a large Stella can of beer in a corner store.  The label stated 95 pesos – I am thinking about $3.50 but when I went to the till it was 50 pesos, closer to $1.50.  The Argentine lack of understanding my Spanish left me in the dark as to why.

Bikinis and Christmas Trees - Southern Hemisphere Style

30 Degrees C & Christmas is Near

Happy Hour in Our Room

Hop On Hop Off City Survey

Blue sky, 26 degrees, birds singing, trees adorned with that new leaf green, and colourful blossoms everywhere, it must be spring time in Buenos Aires. 

 

Today was a travel recovery day and  the start of sight seeing. 

After a leisurely breakfast we took a trip to a nearby HSBC bank ATM in search of cash.  After an unsuccessful attempt we spoke to a bank employee and he informed us that none of their ATMs had any cash.  He said ATMs without money are not unusual in Argentina.  With an Argentinean peso only worth 4 cents, you need a lot of walking around pesos to get by.  He suggested we keep walking the banking district and keep trying.  We finally found an ATM with cash.  It cost us $10 Canadian to get 4000 pesos (about $148).  Even if a machine has money it won’t give you more than 4000 at a time.

Buenos Aires is located on the western shore of the estuary of the River Plata on the South American continent’s south-eastern coast.  The city’s name can be translated as “fair winds” or “good airs”.  They say that Buenos Aires is the most European city outside of Europe.  I’m not sure who “they” are but we would agree.  Immigrants and trade from all over Europe have had a lasting influence on the area.  

Our hotel folks directed us to the nearest Hop On – Hop Off bus stop.  We purchased our tickets (990 pesos each) for 24 hours of service.  As is our usual style, we never did hop off.  Quite frankly it was a little overwhelming.  Buenos Aires has 14 million folks spread over 48 distinct neighbourhoods and I think we rode through every one of them.  Some date back to the beginning in 1536 while others are ultra modern day.

I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

You know When You're in Cattle Country - Cowhide Sales on the Street.

Buenos Aires - A City of Parks

La  Boca Arts Neighborhood

Oldest Continuous Cafe in City - 1858

We ended our first evening with a meal Argentine style.  Many restaurants don't open until 8 pm so we enjoyed a drink at the street side bar during happy hour.  Another lesson learned.  We ordered two drinks thinking they were happy hour two for ones.  We were surprised when receiving the bill that indeed the drinks are half price but each person is charged a minimum of two drinks each.  I ended up drinking a low cost $7 Canadian beer.  Buenos Aires is not Mexico City.  You can find a $2 beer but it will be in a can on a grocery store shelf.  A 500 cc beer in the restaurant cost 120 pesos (around $4 Canadian).

We dined around 9 pm with the locals and retired for the evening.