The breakfast in the hotel was good, but sparse, just croissants (small ones called "medialunes") and coffee. Afterwards I tried to change my room and was assured that I could change later in the day. I explored the city and walked to the "Plaza de Mayo", one of the main squares of the city. Here you find the presidential palace, the palace in which the push for independence in 1810 was planned, a monument to honor the heroes of the fight for independence, a small museum and several churches, very nice.
On my way back to the hotel I checked my emails quickly and then moved into my new room. Well, it wasn't better than the first one, but at least it had a larger bed. After lunch at a nearby restaurant I walked to the "Plaza del Congresso" and looked at the parliament. From there I continued my exploration towards the "Plaza de la Republica" to admire the Obelisk. Then I was having coffee at the "Confideria Aideal", a very old (style) coffee house and Tango place. My guide mentioned that "the waiters are so old that you are not sure if they survive the meal you are having there", it was no exaggeration .... ha ha ha. Although the place seemed a little faded and falling apart, you could still feel the splendor it once possessed, high ceilings, marble colons, stucco, luxurious decor .... it could have easily been in Vienna. I had a cafe con leite and wrote a little in my journal, then went upstairs to check out the Milonga (), the ball room for Tango. Going upstairs I heard music and then entered a big ball room. There were lots of people, however I would guess that I was by far the youngest, except the girl at the ticket office.
The music stopped and then everybody went back to their respective seats and tables. Everybody was seated nicely around the dance floor, the tables in a square. Once the music started again individuals, men and women alike ventured out to find a dancing partner. A kiss to the cheek and the dance began .... nice.
However, I have to admit that I could not stop feeling that it was a meeting point for elderly singles .....
Next I explored the Av. de Floria, the main shopping street in Buenos Aires.It is for pedestrians only and also most of the cross streets are closed off for traffic as well. Shop after shop line the street, some fairly expensive and exclusive, others a little cheaper. In the middle there are lots of street vendors, artists theatre groups .... and of course some rogues who try to simply get some money from you. It was fun to walk through though. Next I went to the "Galeria Pacifico" - THE shopping mall in Buenos Aires. It is catering more towards the wealthy and rich or high end customers. There were three levels with shops, cafes and restaurants, a big cultural center and cinema. In the cultural center was an exhibition of works by "Frida Khahlo"
Afterwards I had dinner at a cafe close to the Hotel "Cafe 36", they had live music. The band played a wide range of different music styles from jazz, to tango, samba, blues and even some folk. They were really good ....
On my way back to the hotel I checked my emails quickly and then moved into my new room. Well, it wasn't better than the first one, but at least it had a larger bed. After lunch at a nearby restaurant I walked to the "Plaza del Congresso" and looked at the parliament. From there I continued my exploration towards the "Plaza de la Republica" to admire the Obelisk. Then I was having coffee at the "Confideria Aideal", a very old (style) coffee house and Tango place. My guide mentioned that "the waiters are so old that you are not sure if they survive the meal you are having there", it was no exaggeration .... ha ha ha. Although the place seemed a little faded and falling apart, you could still feel the splendor it once possessed, high ceilings, marble colons, stucco, luxurious decor .... it could have easily been in Vienna. I had a cafe con leite and wrote a little in my journal, then went upstairs to check out the Milonga (), the ball room for Tango. Going upstairs I heard music and then entered a big ball room. There were lots of people, however I would guess that I was by far the youngest, except the girl at the ticket office.
The music stopped and then everybody went back to their respective seats and tables. Everybody was seated nicely around the dance floor, the tables in a square. Once the music started again individuals, men and women alike ventured out to find a dancing partner. A kiss to the cheek and the dance began .... nice.
However, I have to admit that I could not stop feeling that it was a meeting point for elderly singles .....
Next I explored the Av. de Floria, the main shopping street in Buenos Aires.It is for pedestrians only and also most of the cross streets are closed off for traffic as well. Shop after shop line the street, some fairly expensive and exclusive, others a little cheaper. In the middle there are lots of street vendors, artists theatre groups .... and of course some rogues who try to simply get some money from you. It was fun to walk through though. Next I went to the "Galeria Pacifico" - THE shopping mall in Buenos Aires. It is catering more towards the wealthy and rich or high end customers. There were three levels with shops, cafes and restaurants, a big cultural center and cinema. In the cultural center was an exhibition of works by "Frida Khahlo"
Afterwards I had dinner at a cafe close to the Hotel "Cafe 36", they had live music. The band played a wide range of different music styles from jazz, to tango, samba, blues and even some folk. They were really good ....
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