High seas caused us to skip our visit to Punta del Este, a tender port, and go to Buenos Aires a day early. We now have two days in the city. There are no organized tours for this unexpected day in BA, so we took the shuttle bus to the port entrance, then the shuttle bus to the city center.
We approach the city
The view from our room once we docked. This is a VERY active container port and we were required to shuttle from the boat to the port terminal. The shuttle was very efficient with 3 or 4 buses running continuously. There was never a long wait (at least for us) for a shuttle.
After arriving in the city center area we walked along the pedestrian shopping street. One of the first encounters was an abandoned Harrods department store, looking somewhat decrepit. And a home for the homeless.
A much more vibrant shopping area
I did not investigate Beer Coffee. But I'm very intrigued. Is it coffee with beer taste? Beer with a coffee taste? A place that sells both?
Built as a hospital in WW2 this is now the HQ for the Argentine Navy.
Fly Navy
On Day 2 in BA we had an organized tour to the highlights of the city. On the shuttle bus was this poster. The Falklands War is not over for some Argentinians.
The shuttle bus lets people out so they can go into the port terminal on the left. We're standing off to the side waiting for our tour bus.
We drove through the posh neighborhoods. This is a flower sculpture that used to open every morning and close in the evening. A recent violent storm broke the hydraulics that power it so it's sitting in a partial state.
We saw at least 5 dog walkers, each with about 10 dogs, mostly of the large variety.
A founder of Argentina, talking to his grandchildren.
A statue to Eva Peron
Recoleta Cemetery.
The wealthy wanted to show off even in death, so they built large mausoleums to cover their graves and their families' graves.
Eva Peron's resting place
Back on the bus, heading for the city's main square, Evita on the side of building
The cathedral on the main square
Buskers performing the tango
The presidential palace. It is best known for Eva Peron's speeches from the balcony of the three white shuttered doors on the left. In the Andrew Lloyd Weber version, Madonna would sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from that balcony.
A national treasure, he'll be back with Argentina for the World Cup
The cathedral. The current pope comes from here.
Russian Orthodox church
Apartments for the working class
Soccer Futbol training grounds
We visited the artistic area of the city known as La Boca, known for its street art. On the left is Mafalda, a 6 year old comic character known for humor and social commentary.
Meats and drinks were available throughout
Some of the street art in La Boca celebrating Argentinian
soccer futbol greats. I don't know who they are.
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