We slept in a little this morning because it was rather cold outside and I couldn't decide if I was still sick or not. i decided eventually that my desire for breakfast was stronger than the feeling of blocked sinuses so we got our act together.
After breakfast we set off for the district of Palermo to go see the Japanese Gardens and some museums. We set off towards the great Obelisk and when we finally got there I checked the map and realised we were sort of setting off in the wrong direction. Fortunately we were close to the central station of the subway so we jumped on the Green line and took the crowded subway to our desired location.
We went first to the Evita Museum but sadly it was closed. ( to the best of our understanding of the security guards spanish). So we continued on to the Parks and the Japanese Gardens. We saw some of the famed dog walkers with some rather interesting pedigree dogs in tow including poodles, huskies and that dog from the plascon ad. We took a few photos of the statues on the way and eventually found the entrance to the Japanese gardens.
The gardens were very pretty with red bridges and a big bell and little huts and a lake and many fat slow koi fish. A worthwhile spend of 16 pesos all in all.
After the gardens we decided to set off to find the museo de aeronautica but when we were half way there, the road was beginning to look like a highway so we turned around. We also stopped off to look at the Planetarium which had some impressive meteorites outside.
So we returned to the Plaza Italia to take the subway back to our side of town. Thus time it was lunch time so we had to stand the entire trip. i was glad MrT is ultra security conscious and had our backpack padlocked in the squashed train. there was a band playing very festive music on the train and trying to sell their CDs. Entertainment and a fresh appreciation for space and air all for 2.5Pesos.
Once we got off at our stop (having walked about 10km so far today) we decided to go try some Argentine Beef at a recommended restaurant 8 blocks away. So we walked some more. The restaurant was further than described and we were very thankful for the quick delivery of cokes to our table. The rump steak however was less impressive and was the consistency and softness of stewing beef. Perhaps the chef had an off day or the stock of the good meat was low or else in South Africa we really have it good. At least the place a pretty good all you can eat salad bar. We finished with a glass of red wine and a dulce du leche (?) pancake which was really really tasty.
Then we set off for the long long walk home. Our aching tired legs complained but soon got warm and we were striding along with the afternoon commuter pedestrian traffic.
Now we are back in our rooms and feeling exhausted. We will be ordering a taxi to take us to and back from the Ballet tonight. We must have walked 15 km today and that is enough exercise for two desk bound lumps like us.
I will say that I am grateful that BA is mostly flat terrain. It reminds me a lot of a Western European city with green tidy parks and tall pretty trees and lots of public transport and fashionable boutiques and statues. We are yet to feel like we are in a South American cliched place. BA is too manicured and pretty in sections and too dirty and graffitied in others.
Funny tho, like South Africa, these Argentinians are not afraid to express displeasure with their government. There was a protest going on just up the road yesterday. They were beating on drums and letting off firecrackers and dancing and singing... Just like home, but in Spanish.
Tomorrow we set off for El Calafate in the dark hours of the morning. Go look up the weather awaiting us and then decide if you are jealous. I am off to nap then repack my bags for the flight.
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