Perfect Day

Last Sunday we headed out to Parque Rivadavia, in Caballito, a barrio we had never visited. There were lots of people selling things: trinkets, toys, jewelry, books, CDs and DVDs, food, and Rastafarian accessories. Although we didn't find the stamp collectors' catalogs that Terri was looking for, we enjoyed joining the crowds of young parents pushing strollers, kids running about playing, and old folks sitting on benches. Conveniently, there was a Munchi's across the street, so we had ice cream.

What next? We saw a subte entrance and thought, why not go to Plaza de Mayo? We got on Linea A, the oldest subway line in South America (it still uses the wooden cars built in Belgium in the 1920s) and took it all the way to the end. When we got to the plaza, we noticed lots of people not just admiring Casa Rosada but going inside. We walked up to one of the guards and asked if we, too, could go in, and he said sure. Apparently they have opened the restored Casa Rosada as part of the upcoming 2010 bicentennial.

Soldiers in fancy dress uniform led enthusiastic groups of visitors through the beautiful rooms. There was lots of gawking and pointing and posing with soldiers, cameras flashing all the while. Terri and I were suitably impressed; Casa Rosada really is beautiful, and we had no idea we'd get to see the inside. Once we got back out in the Plaza, Terri, in a fervor of patriotism for our temporary home, bought a small Argentina flag.

We left the plaza and walked with the weekend crowds down Perú and then Florida, admiring the impressive architecture and gloating over our luck at getting into Casa Rosada. What a perfect day!, we thought.

We went to Galerías Pacífico, an upscale shopping mall, and had a light meal at the fast food court. Since we're here, why not go over to the Borges Cultural Center and see what kind of shows they have scheduled?

Our lucky day got even luckier. They were still selling choice tickets to a tango show that began in 30 minutes, just enough time to walk around the current art exhibits. I've already written about the tango show, so here I'll just say it was fantastic. I think we were the only tourists in the audience, who clapped and bravo-ed throughout the performance.

Afterwards we walked to Plaza San Martín and waited for the #59 bus to take us home. We waited and waited, unusual for Buenos Aires, and when the bus finally arrived it was jammed. About ten people got on at once, and as we were dropping coins into the machine the driver was commanding Vamos! so he could shut the door and race onward. We couldn't move an inch during the ride home and were glad it was a short trip to Vicente López and Callao.