Wow, I’m in Buenos Aires!
Overnight travel from JFK. Arrival in Buenos Aires: In line for Passport Control, I see a woman I know from Dexter, MI. We were 20’ apart, so spoke over the crowd. She was with her husband and two other couples from Dexter, going to a wedding in Bariloche. It appeared we wouldn’t be crossing paths anywhere in our travels, but still a nice surprise to see a friend.
Hotel very nice. Farther from City Center than I would pick again. Run-down sidewalks, just like the D.R. I walked to Ave de Mayo, where AR celebrated independence from Spain in 1812 (?), found lunch at Restaurant Goya. For $10 I had prix fix meal of pork chop, lots of steamed vegetables, bottle of water, and flan for dessert, including 10% tip. Then walked to Plaza de Mayo, up Saenz Peña to Tourist Bus office. There Noemi changed $US for me at rate AR$ 1,100 per US $1 dollar, which is the “Blue Dollar,” or best rate. I returned to hotel for nap, change of sweaty clothes. I’m reading Lonely Planet’s book on B.A., trying to learn barrios and streets.
At 8 pm, I walked 2 blocks to Spanish restaurant, Plaza Mayor. Delightful! Ordered glass of Malbec, broiled trout w Span rice, and flan for dessert (w dulce de leche) for total of AR$10,000. Left tip of AR$2,000. Struck up conversation with people at next table, Raquel & Dario, a couple - he’s an atty, she’s an accountant. He was eager to practice his English with me, has relatives in NY and NJ, has visited NY and Miami. They gave me suggestions for wine, where to eat asado. We discussed economics & politics. They’re happy with new president, Javier Milei, talk of themselves as liberals, but sound more like conservatives.
Fun! Walked home in rain. Felt safe. Tomorrow, I’ll tour the city by bus.
Note to self: if I continue to eat flan (creme caramel) twice a day, I’ll need to buy larager clothes when I get home.
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