A walk to Recoleta

The day started off foggy, then overcast and cool, but about noon the sun peeked through and it turned into a very nice afternoon. I walked along the Avenue del Libertador past the main train station, past the Monument to Carlos M. de Avlear, then past a park, the Expostion Hall and on to the Plaza Naciones Unides, which features a large metal sculpture in the form of a flower.

From there I crossed the street and passed another park, then the Museum of Fine Arts, on my way to Recoleta.

The Plaza leading up the hill to Recoleta with filled with street vendors. I made my way up to the Cathedral, then made a much more extensive walk through of the Recoleta Cemetery than I had time for on my earlier tour. After walking through the Cathedral and Cemetery, I walked across to the street full of shops and restaurants and found a Parrilla (grill) to sit down for a few cervezas and some lunch. I sat outside, which was very pleasant, though the wind kicked up a little and the large trees surrounding the area were shedding lots of tiny little leaves, which seemed to find their way into everything. Food, beer, everything. I fully expect to find some inside my clothes when I get ready for bed tonight.

While I was at lunch the sky got somewhat overcast again, and the air cooled off. It is going to be cooler starting tomorrow for the next week, with highs only in the low 60s. So maybe the cooler air was already arriving. When I finished with lunch I made my way back to the Hotel, using a different route that took me to the Plaza San Martin, right next to my work. As is always the case, every street you go down here has beautiful old building with magnificent architecture.Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!!

Looking towards Plaza San Martin from Ave. del Libertador

Statue in a park

Monument to Carlos M. de Alvear

The National Exposition Hall

This enormous aluminum and stainless steel sculpture of a flower in the Plaza Naciones Unidas has pedals that open and close and the whole thing turns to the the rising and setting of the sun. It is surrounded by a reflecting pool.

Another monument in another park.

The Museum of Fine Arts

Don't know what this is, other than interesting.

Headed up the walk past the street vendors.

More of the street vendors.

The Church next to the Cemetery, known as N.S. del Pilar Parish

Inside the Church

A panel on the side wall of the church.

Outside the church, looking across the street.

A tomb in the Recoleta Cemetery. Note the live and very contented cat just to the left of the statue of woman and dog.

The center of the Cemetery.

Tomb of the Duarte family, where Eva Peron is now buried.

Shops and restaurants in Recoleta

Headed home on Alvear Ave. Here is the Luis Vuitton store.

Ralph Lauren on Alvear

More great architecture.

Hard to get a picture, but this is a Convent.

With all the wars and revolutions they have had here over the years, they seem to have a lot of statues to National heros. I don't know who this is, but based on his security detail, I think I like him a lot!!!

The Palace San Martin

An Embassy. What flag is that???

Another Embassy, I think.

That's all folks!!!!

Plaza St. Martin

I had a busy and productive week at work. Got to do a really deep dive into the Forecast and Production Planning and Sourcing areas. I also provided some assistance to Silverio and Juan Carlos on their preparations for the Corporate Inventory Call that will occur on Monday.

One interesting facet of Argentinian life is that it seems that at least several groups are conducting some sort of demonstration somewhere in the city on any given day. This past week we had Subway workers, teachers, and textile workers demonstrating. There were others that I didn't catch who was demonstrating for what reason. That just seems to be a part of life here.

What I didn't do this week was take a lot of pictures. I did walk over to the Plaza right across the street from the office one day. It is larger than I thought, and is centered with one of those enormous rubber trees that are so common here. Here they are:

The Marriott Plaza Hotel

On the opposite side of the Plaza, looking back towards the office.

Military Museum behind the trees.

View to the North

Every Park needs a statue of a guy on a horse. I'm guessing this one is named San Martin.

Looking towards the Bell Tower and Ports behind.

Trees in the Plaza. In the center is the big rubber tree.

Bark Park in the Plaza. Argentine doggies spend the day here while their Masters work.

Looking back towards the office. Very odd traffic flow on the street, with lanes reversed.Actually, it is two different one-way streets running side by side.

Galleria Pacifica

There is a mall about a block and a half down Florida Street from the office called Galleria Pacifica. It is in a building that is over 100 years old. I walked through it on my way home from work tonight. As you can see from the pictures, this is not your average mall. All very upscale, small retailers. No Department stores.

On entering from Florida Street

The center atrium has a ceiling between the 1st and 2nd floors with murals.

The 1st floor center atrium, with fountain.

Another shot of the 1st floor atrium.

The food court. Still no Mexican food to be found.

Taking the escalator to the 3rd floor.

The view down one wing of the 3rd floor.

Another wing of the 3rd floor.

A Day in Colonia, Uruguay

The day started early with a 7:45 pick up from the hotel to head to the ferry station. There I boarded the ferry for Colonia, Uruguay, about an hour ride on the fast boat, across the Rio de la Plata, which is very wide. When I arrived in Colonia a tour guide met us and took the group for a walking tour of the old historic portion on Colonia. Colonia was founded by the Portuguese in the mid 1600's, and Portugal and Spain fought over it for the next several hundred years, with the city changing hands 9 different times. So it is easy to understand that the city has a mix of both Portuguese and Spanish influences. The weather was pleasant, the city was very interesting, and I liked the Uruguayan people. A very laid back place. When the walking tour concluded I still had several hours to walk around on my own and to get lunch, a part of the tour package. I selected a fish fillet which was quite excellent. Here are some pictures from the day.

Leaving Buenos Aries port, a very hazy morning.

A girl in front of me getting off the boat in Colonia. Note the JanSport backpack!!!

 

 

 

 

The entrance to the old city, through the protective wall that once surrounded it.

A look at the wall and garrison from the inside.

The stone structure in front is what remains of a Convent constructed in 1694. The lighthouse behind was completed in 1857.

The building on the left is or Portuguese design, with a pitched roof, and the one on the right Spanish, with a flat roof.

The streets are all cobblestone or brick. Keeps traffic speed down.

The side of the church. The portions that are built with stone were done by the Portuguese, the portions in brick by the Spanish.

Typical street restaurant

The dogs all looked healthy, happy and were friendly. I think this reflects well on the people.

Inside the chapel

Meson de la Plaza, where I enjoyed a very good lunch.

Historic Colonia as seen from the top of the lighthouse. 100 steps in a tight circle. Not sure if I was more winded or dizzy when I got to the top!!

A MacKay golf shirt spotted in Uruguay!!!

Restaurants in front of the square.

The old ferry terminal in Colonia. Not something to make a good impression.

The new ferry terminal. Very nice, but now its time to head back to Buenos Aries for another week of work!!