Walking The Streets Of Buenos Aires
Dec 24th, 2014, 05:19 AM
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Walking The Streets Of Buenos Aires
With a late evening flight back home I once again have some time to explore this beautiful city. It is such a nice day that I decide to do it all by foot instead of taking the “Yellow Bus” tour as suggested by the front desk clerk at my hotel.
Through a quaint neighborhood with a map in hand I make my way to Av Gra Las Heras. Lined with all kinds of shops and restaurants I make a few stops for some window shopping and to purchase water, cookies and fresh fruit.
At one intersection as I stop to orientate myself I am approached by a local gentlemen. We spend a few minutes talking as he helps me lay out a good walking tour of the city. Following his suggestions I make a left turn and head for Av Del Libertador.
Av Del Libertador is a main and popular street in the city and it is filled with many monuments that reflect the country's history. One of the first ones I come across is that of Argentina most famous lady, Evita. Although the street is buzzing with morning traffic many others like myself are just strolling along enjoying the relaxing views.
A right turn and up a slight hill where next I am touring the cemetery were many of the city's former well known residents are now entombed. I am told some of the sites here are more expensive than Buenos Aires apartments. Found here is the burial site of Evita Peron.
Down Av. Alvear an area once occupied by the British I am passed by a “Yellow Bus” before I make a turn onto Av 9 De Julio the widest avenue in the world that honors Argentina's Independence Day.
Cambio, cambio, cambio …. Change, change, change echos from various spots along LaValle street one of the busiest area along my walk. This is a shopping street and with the Argentina's pesos in such turmoil there is a striving business to get the best exchange rate for it with the green backs and I guess other foreign currencies. While the official exchange rate is about 8 pesos to the dollar, on the black market you can get almost double that. In one store I got 14 pesos to the dollar.
My next stop is at one of the many Basilicas around the city before I make my way to the pink Casa de Gobierno. Unfortunately, it is closed to normal visitors during the week. However, Argentina's most famous cathedral is open every day to the general public. Catedral Metropolitana is the former home of Pope Francis, the reigning Pope of the Catholic Church.
From Catedral Metropolitana my ultimate destination in the city is within easy reach and I am excited as I once again check my map to see if I am on the right track. On the go I make another stop for a warm empanada, more cookies and another bottle of water.
After passing though a market established in the 1800's I arrive at Plaza Dorrego but my hopes getting here are crushed. Although the square is filled with patrons enjoying outside dining there are no street tango dancers that San Telmo is renowned for. Their presence here is mostly on the weekends when local fairs are held in the square.
My dreams of becoming a world famous tango dancer in one easy lesson is shattered but maybe not forever as I have about five years left on my Argentina visa.
Somewhat retracing my steps I am back at Hotel Alpino around 5pm where a per-arranged taxi is waiting to take me to EZE airport for 350 pesos. Although my flight is not until 9:30pm, I soon see why the front desk clerk suggested that I leave the hotel before 5:30pm.
Buenos Aires afternoon traffic is about the worst I have seen in any major city. I barely arrive at the airport before the recommended two hour check in time. Nonetheless, I hope I get to do it all over again sometime in the next five years.
Video:http://youtu.be/O42_7qk8gIM
Through a quaint neighborhood with a map in hand I make my way to Av Gra Las Heras. Lined with all kinds of shops and restaurants I make a few stops for some window shopping and to purchase water, cookies and fresh fruit.
At one intersection as I stop to orientate myself I am approached by a local gentlemen. We spend a few minutes talking as he helps me lay out a good walking tour of the city. Following his suggestions I make a left turn and head for Av Del Libertador.
Av Del Libertador is a main and popular street in the city and it is filled with many monuments that reflect the country's history. One of the first ones I come across is that of Argentina most famous lady, Evita. Although the street is buzzing with morning traffic many others like myself are just strolling along enjoying the relaxing views.
A right turn and up a slight hill where next I am touring the cemetery were many of the city's former well known residents are now entombed. I am told some of the sites here are more expensive than Buenos Aires apartments. Found here is the burial site of Evita Peron.
Down Av. Alvear an area once occupied by the British I am passed by a “Yellow Bus” before I make a turn onto Av 9 De Julio the widest avenue in the world that honors Argentina's Independence Day.
Cambio, cambio, cambio …. Change, change, change echos from various spots along LaValle street one of the busiest area along my walk. This is a shopping street and with the Argentina's pesos in such turmoil there is a striving business to get the best exchange rate for it with the green backs and I guess other foreign currencies. While the official exchange rate is about 8 pesos to the dollar, on the black market you can get almost double that. In one store I got 14 pesos to the dollar.
My next stop is at one of the many Basilicas around the city before I make my way to the pink Casa de Gobierno. Unfortunately, it is closed to normal visitors during the week. However, Argentina's most famous cathedral is open every day to the general public. Catedral Metropolitana is the former home of Pope Francis, the reigning Pope of the Catholic Church.
From Catedral Metropolitana my ultimate destination in the city is within easy reach and I am excited as I once again check my map to see if I am on the right track. On the go I make another stop for a warm empanada, more cookies and another bottle of water.
After passing though a market established in the 1800's I arrive at Plaza Dorrego but my hopes getting here are crushed. Although the square is filled with patrons enjoying outside dining there are no street tango dancers that San Telmo is renowned for. Their presence here is mostly on the weekends when local fairs are held in the square.
My dreams of becoming a world famous tango dancer in one easy lesson is shattered but maybe not forever as I have about five years left on my Argentina visa.
Somewhat retracing my steps I am back at Hotel Alpino around 5pm where a per-arranged taxi is waiting to take me to EZE airport for 350 pesos. Although my flight is not until 9:30pm, I soon see why the front desk clerk suggested that I leave the hotel before 5:30pm.
Buenos Aires afternoon traffic is about the worst I have seen in any major city. I barely arrive at the airport before the recommended two hour check in time. Nonetheless, I hope I get to do it all over again sometime in the next five years.
Video:http://youtu.be/O42_7qk8gIM
Dec 24th, 2014, 05:19 PM
#2
DMBTraveler
Did you get to be by the Obelisk on July 9th avenue.?
or see the lovely San Martin Monument in the park that is very close to the famous Florida street.
Buenos Aries must be nice this time of the year.
Thanks for the posting. I liked the youtube.
Did you get to be by the Obelisk on July 9th avenue.?
or see the lovely San Martin Monument in the park that is very close to the famous Florida street.
Buenos Aries must be nice this time of the year.
Thanks for the posting. I liked the youtube.
Dec 24th, 2014, 05:24 PM
#3
I think I see on the youtube that you did walk down Florida Street.
and of course the Pink palace where Evita used to come out on the Balcony.
Very nice
and of course the Pink palace where Evita used to come out on the Balcony.
Very nice
Dec 26th, 2014, 07:17 AM
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Percy,
Crossed July 9th Ave just in front of Obelisk... I had a more personal experience with it in 2004..
Yes, it was just a beautiful day in BA and in homage to my home state, you are correct I did walk down "Florida" street..
Hope you had a "Happy Holiday".. All the best for 2015
Crossed July 9th Ave just in front of Obelisk... I had a more personal experience with it in 2004..
Yes, it was just a beautiful day in BA and in homage to my home state, you are correct I did walk down "Florida" street..
Hope you had a "Happy Holiday".. All the best for 2015
Jan 28th, 2015, 04:31 PM
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You were in my neighborhood Did you like the view of the Library up above the statue of Eva Peron? Did you go across the street where the lake is and the little boys sail their boats ? Are the wacky statues still in the park by the Museum ?
Did you go to the back of Recoleta Cemetery and see the tomb of the famous fighter / boxer ? I loved wandering through there and seeing the statues .. the tomb of the young girl that is all glass .. legend had it that her mother was afraid she would wake up and be in the dark : (
That is the Peron family but I believe she was moved again and is not there now.
Florida street is so much nicer now than it was just a year or so ago. They made the walks better, wider, when we arrived there, it was a mess and took skill to walk in the right "lane" and not get knocked around.
I loved this ... do more !
Did you like the view of the Library up above the statue of Eva Peron? Did you go across the street where the lake is and the little boys sail their boats ? Are the wacky statues still in the park by the Museum ?Did you go to the back of Recoleta Cemetery and see the tomb of the famous fighter / boxer ? I loved wandering through there and seeing the statues .. the tomb of the young girl that is all glass .. legend had it that her mother was afraid she would wake up and be in the dark : (
That is the Peron family but I believe she was moved again and is not there now.
Florida street is so much nicer now than it was just a year or so ago. They made the walks better, wider, when we arrived there, it was a mess and took skill to walk in the right "lane" and not get knocked around.
I loved this ... do more !
Jan 28th, 2015, 04:35 PM
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Feb 3rd, 2015, 11:42 AM
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Scarlett,
Cool.. Did not go across the street but the wacky statues are still in the park.
Went to Recoleta Cemetery but missed out on the all glass tomb. Was there before in 2004, I think. Have heard before that Evita may have been moved but it is still an interesting place to visit.
Thought the whole are around Florida Street was nice although I walked down Lavalle to get to Florida Street.
Cool.. Did not go across the street but the wacky statues are still in the park.
Went to Recoleta Cemetery but missed out on the all glass tomb. Was there before in 2004, I think. Have heard before that Evita may have been moved but it is still an interesting place to visit.
Thought the whole are around Florida Street was nice although I walked down Lavalle to get to Florida Street.
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