It was multi-day trip from Victoria to Argentina.

I stayed in Vancouver overnight as the flight was 07:00.

A 04:30 latte in the lounge.

Then a 5 hours flight and 2 hours time change to Mexico City, and another overnight because my next flight was at 09:50.

Then 9 hours flight and 3 hours time change to Buenos Aires.

I did take advantage of my time in Mexico City to find a little local restaurant.

My first thing to do in Buenos Aires was to find money.

Usually I just use ATMs but here the government rate is poor. I could exchange $US for the black market ‘blue rate’, but I chose the third option.

I had sent myself money through Western Union, which gives the best rate I’ve seen here. It was simple to go to one of their many outlets, and just show my confirmation number and passport.

This was Cdn$200. It was all in 1000 pesos (Cdn$1.40) which is a big wad to carry, but it beats trying to always break big bills!

Next stop was Plaza de Mayo in the Centro Histórico. The heart of the city’s history.

Pirámide de Mayo, the white obelisk built to mark the first anniversary of independence from Spain.

The Cabildo was where the Revolución de Mayo (1810) started Argentina’s independence from Spain

On one side of the plaza was the Catedral Metropolitana.

On another side was Casa Rosada, the seat of government. There was a great deal of excitement when the ?President came out on the balcony to wave.

The balcony is where Eva Peron gave her famous speeches.

Eva Peron (1919-1952) is a national icon. She was an actress that married the President, but became a politician that ran the ministries of Labour and Health. She founded a large scale female political party, and her charitable foundation had a huge impact in Argentina.

The subway system.

Memorial for soldiers who died in the Malvinas (Falklands). The islands are under British rule but Argentina tried to take ownership in 1982 but failed.

Dulce de leche, the delicious caramelized milk, is not hard to find in jars, liquor or cakes.

I bought the caramels.

I thought this Mercedo, or market, was going to be a market.

Instead it was full of quirky shops, a few grocery stalls, but mainly restaurants.

Lionel Messi is the local soccer golden boy.

The Obelisco was an easy to find landmark.

The boulevard is the Avenue 9 de Julio. It’s a massive transportation corridor through the city.

It took at least 3 lights to cross. There was a 4 lane of more local traffic and turning, a 5 lane going straight through, 2 lanes for buses – and then the same for the opposite direction!

But it was softened by trees and green boulevards.

Then I headed to Recoleta, a posh area north of Centro. Even with an Uber to the area and back, I walked over 12 km. Big city!

El Ateneo Grand Spendid was a bookstore in an old theatre.

Then a cemetery. Cementerio de la Recoleta. That charged Cdn$21 and had lineups to see Eva Peron’s mausoleum.

But it was beautiful, peaceful and cool on a 29oC day.

Busker outside playing a saw, which had an appropriate haunting sound.

Tango is huge here, so not surprising to see them performing for donations.

The Cultural Centre next door had nice public spaces but designed for locals – steep foreigner pricing and everything in Spanish.

Floralis Genérica in its daytime position. It closes at night!

Jardin Japones, a very busy Japanese garden.

Congreso.

Casa Barolo

San Telmo Sunday market.

Mate gourds. The culture of drinking mate is evident everywhere. People carry their cups full of Yerba mate tea, thermos of hot water, and drink it through special filtered straws.

Then another Uber to La Boca. Cdn$5-6 to save an hour or more of walking.

La Boca has a notoriously dangerous reputation, except for the two colourful streets of Caminito.

I didn’t venture into to the other streets, but Caminito does a fine job of taking your money! Tons of tourists and shops.

People lined up to take photos on the balcony with Lionel Messi.

A friendly volunteer firefighter after soliciting funds.

After my slow start, it was a three day whirlwind in Buenos Aires. I’m headed to Uruguay this morning for two weeks, and then I’m back here again.

Let’s see how the wifi works to post this…