Buenos Aires is more than we ever imagined! 5 days flew by for us(this is first night and Day 1). We left our apartment in Cusco at 6:30a.m. on Tuesday and arrived in Buenos Aires at 5pm(It is about 1600 miles if we would have drove it-took the easy, quick route and flew). We were blessed that Kat was feeling better. She got sick Saturday night after we got back from the Amazon(fever, nausea, and vomiting).
Took a $40(yes, that is US Dollars, were definitely not in Peru anymore) taxi ride to Palermo Viejo Bed and Breakfast(our new home for BA). We had no idea that during the work week days, the population of BA goes up to 12 million, but weekends it is 3 million. After, we got checked in, we found out that most restaurants don’t start serving dinner till 7:30 or 8pm(8-8:30pm is bedtime for our kids). We headed out around 7:30 and walked to Calden del Soho. This was the start of our 5 day steak fest! 🙂 Oh my goodness, the steak here is Incredible! We have to say, we think the steak in Argentina is some of the best steak we have ever eaten.
We started our first full day in Buenos Aires with a tour through Buenos Aires Local Tours(it is free, they work for tips). Our tour guide, Ceri, was knowledgeable and engaging. We started at Plaza Italia in Palermo, took the bus, learned where Tango started, rode the subway, visited Congressional Plaza, widest avenue in the world(9 de Julio Avenue which honors Argentina’s Independence Day-it has 14 lanes), Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada(presidential palace), then finished off tour at lunch at Parilla al Carbon(on Chacabuco) a $3.70 steak. Great way to get a feel for Buenos Aires! Kane and Kat both enjoyed the tour which was wonderful.
Throughout Argentina, you will find red shrines on the side of the road with red flags flying around them. These are shrines to Gaucho Gil. Although Gaucho Gil is not an official saint in the church, he is revered throughout the country of Argentina and is a “defacto saint”.
Although there are many unknowns about Gaucho, his full name was Antonio Mamerto Gil Nuñez. He is affectionately known as Gauchito Gil, and was born in the 1840’s. He died January 8, 1878.
Gaucho was a deserter of the military who evaded capture for quite some time. During that time, he was a sort of “Robin Hood” figure, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.
When he was eventually captured and sentenced to death, he was hung upside down from a tree. As the executioner was preparing to behead him, Gaucho said, “Don’t kill me – my pardon is coming. If you do kill me, your son will be stricken with a deadly illness, and the only way to save him will be to give my body a proper burial.”
As expected, the executioner proceeded with his task and, when he arrived home, discovered that his son was deathly ill. He returned to the site of the execution and buried Gaucho’s body. His son was miraculously cured and a legend was born.
Now, Argentineans have built shrines throughout the country to venerate the memory of Gaucho Gil. They pray to Guacho Gill, to solve their problems and grant their prayers. We saw many of these driving to Aconcagua.
Kids by “The Thinker” statue, only the third of eight original casts.
Mausoleum of General San Martin. Guarded by 3 life size female figures representing Chile, Argentina, Chile and Peru. He led the movement to liberate these countries from Spain.
We ended our first day at Abasco Mall at Neverland. Neverland is a kids paradise and is a cross between Chucky Cheese and a small amusement park. Our kids had a blast!
Afterwards, we decided to have dessert before dinner. Freddos!
