Uneventful flights from Charleston to Atlanta and then on to BA overnight. The flight arrived at 9:00 AM, a few minutes early. That's when the waiting started.
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| BA Immigration |
We are fortunate to be staying with friends - Richard and Jan -in BA. I had met them both during my hike across England a few years back. They are from Cleveland (and live a couple of blocks from Adam and Kathy) but live for 3 or 4 months a year in BA.
Richard had arranged for a taxi to meet us at the airport, and that poor guy had been waiting also. The taxi ride to our friends house was maybe 25 miles and took about an hour. Richard was waiting for us outside his apartment building.
Richard and Jan's apartment is definitely in the "Paris end" of BA. It is on the 4th floor and must be at least about 1,800 sf, with three bedrooms, formal dining, maids rooms, an office, marble bathrooms, a balcony overlooking a park and etc. It is beautifully finished with grand curtains and wood parquet floors. I could just imagine Evita living right here!
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| Our place from the road |
First task was to get some local money. There are about 40 Pesos to the $1.00 and the most common note seems to be P100, so I ended up with a huge wad of notes about 1" thick! The photo below was after we had spent a bunch!
Then we headed out to lunch, where we met up with two friends of Richard and Jan at "lunch time", about 3 PM. So far dining has been my highlight of the visit. The restaurants are charming, the staff all in black and aprons, very smart and attentive - and very inexpensive. For lunch we had champagne and 3 courses, all for $15 each!
We came back to the apartment and had a nap.
Friday March 15. 2019
Big day today. After a leisurely breakfast Richard and I headed out to explore the city and get some steps. Richard, Bryce and I "compete"with our steps, and now was my chance to get into the winners circle for once. We walked around the city all morning, stopping in a few spots to grab a beer. Its an impressive city with lots of parks, wide and tree lined boulevards and some impressive Colonial and classy buildings. Quite clean and well maintained.
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| Street scene walking with Richard |
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| Fancy hotel |
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| Metal flower that opens and shuts based upon the amount of sun |
After lunch Deidre and I made our way independently to the Rose garden (where we stopped to smell the roses!) and then grabbed a coffee in a bar built in under a railway via duct.
Home in time to rest up and then out to dinner at the La Rambla" at about 10PM.
Saturday March 16, 2019
Walked over to the "City of the Dead" this morning, in particular to see Evita's tomb. Pretty weird place, huge, lots of tourists.
Richard and I popped out to cash some more $US as my wad seemed to be shrinking! Then into a cab and headed over to La Boca - the old port area.
The old port area has been replaced by containers and so now its for the touristas. First we popped into a museum dedicated to the artist Benito Quinquella Martin.
Then into the tourist area set in the streets and warehouses of the old port. I know its all a bit "passe" but I really enjoy these places. Many of the eateries featured tango dancing which is interesting and strange, but the ladies were sometimes quite stunning.
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| Taking a break |
We had lunch at the old port then caught a bus "downtown" to check out the "Pink House" (where the President lives) and other sights. After a bit of a walk around Deidres joints were starting to hurt and so the ladies caught a cab home and Richard and I walked - about 3 miles - and got some "good steps".
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| Richard, Deidre and Jan |
Sunday March 17, 2019
I just woke up, its 11 AM. We did not get home to bed last night until 1 AM. I have an hour to get ready (by being clean and wearing something green) for a St Patrick's Day party at "The American Club"
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| Sneak peek in the door of the dining room |
Jan and Richard are having a party tonight. I need to marshal my reserves!
LATER: It's only 1:30 AM - let's go out for supper!
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| Inside the Opera House |
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