Buenos Aires with obelisk

Our last day in BA for awhile as tomorrow we head south. We went downtown and spent quite a bit of time in the amazing bookstore El Ateneo Grand Splendid in the Recoleta neighbourhood. Amazing because it's housed in an old theatre, built around 1919, with a cafe on the former stage. It has a beautifully painted dome ceiling, and balconies on the sides; it seemed like there were as many people there to look at books as there were to take photos, with flashes going off all over. Speaking of flashes, there is thunder and lightning right above at the moment; the thunder is actually shaking the house, and the rain is pouring down. It's still quite warm out though. Halloween isn't really celebrated here, though a few kids in this neighbourhood trick or treat.
After the bookstore we had lunch at Cafe Tortoni, another institution - both a cafe and tango place (at night). It's over 100 years old, and you line up to get in it's so popular. Took the train back; so far on the train rides we've had there have been fellows selling socks, tape measures, flashlights, cookies, chewy mints and hair clips. They can walk from car to car from one end of the train to the other.

Photo by Yeraze (Flickr Creative Commons)

Floralis Generica

We went downtown and took photos of this enormous sculpture; it's photosensitive and opens with the light, then at dusk starts to close. Walked to MALBA, or Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires; it's a very modern building that only opened in 2001; we saw a special exhibit of Andy Warhol's work, plus the permanent collection of Latin American art. They have an interesting gift shop and lovely cafe - had a cortado - espresso with a bit of milk served in a cute little cup; it came with a bite size brownie.

Photo by dimitrid f (Flickr Creative Commons)

Plaza de Mayo

Today we went into Buenos Aires by train (we're staying 17 km out in F & T's beautiful neighbourhood) and saw the large old Retiro train station, then walked to the memorial for the fallen soldiers of the Malvinas (Falklands) war. Went on a great walking tour, and after lunch went to the plaza de mayo and saw the Mothers of the Disappeared on their silent march in front of the Presidential offices (saw the balcony where the Perons would appear and Evita addressed the crowds). The mothers and grandmothers have been marching for justice every Thursday afternoon at 3:30 for over 30 years.
Walked through a craft market, visited the cathedral, then the pedestrian only street Florida, where there are lots of interesting shops.
Caught the train back; it was hot and humid today, but tonight it's windy, and we hear thunder in the distance...
Photo by Como (Flickr Creative Commons)

Plaza San Martin

Went downtown today and had a driving tour of the city: georgeous architecture, SO many parks with mature trees, dog walkers, wides streets with 9 or more lanes one way... very vibrant. Had a tour in English through the Museum of Decorative Arts - a neoclassical French mansion - incredible. Picked up Iris at the airport, so now our 5 person mini-reunion of the field school begins!

Photo by PabloBD (Flickr Creative Commons)

Flying to Buenos Aires

Flying from Toronto to Santiago Chile, then over the Andes to Buenos Aires.
Update: we were 2 hours late leaving Toronto, as our plane had problems; a new plane was found and we left at 1:00 a.m. Had dinner on board at 2 a.m., then slept - didn't see much as we were above the clouds. Landing in Santiago Chile was interesting - seeing the green fields in the valley with mountains on either side. Had to get off the plane with all of our carry on, go through security, then get back on.
It's lovely and warm here with lots of flowers: roses, jacaranda trees just coming into bloom...
Photo by Irargerich (Flickr Creative Commons)

Flying from Vancouver to Toronto

Today we fly to Toronto, make our connection and catch a late flight south.

Photo by Cory (Flickr Creative Commons)