South America- Day 13- Buenos Aires- Pretty in Pink

First we made a swing by the currency conversion place but they weren't open on the weekends. Brennan did a lot of research regarding how to make our dollar stretch since the Argentine market is in a bit of flux. There is the official rate of around 5.2 but then there is also a blue market gage closer to 7.6. Obviously this could make a huge difference in the cost of the trip, so Brennan found this service called Xoom where you can transfer money from usd to pesos using the blue market rate (it is used by families that are sending money back and forth). Anyway, were trying to use cash for as much as possible, once we get enough of it that is!

From the hotel room, we could see the brightly lit Casa Rosada last night, so it seemed fitting to start our site-seeing with the palace. The building is actually pink, as its name would suggest, but there are a few different stories to how the color was chosen. One was that the two political parties were red and white so this was a mixture, one was that a general wanted it red like blood but the other buildings were white so it was a combo, and one is a more romantic tale.involving a young woman in love who was killed. The main floor has a few courtyards as well as an exhibition of south american revolutionary portraits (from the bicentennial). Downstairs here is a salon with paintings as well as the official door that only heads of state can enter through. Upstairs, there are hallways with popular argentinian idols as well as a few beautiful rooms, the balcony made famous by Evita, the room where official documents are signed, as well as the presidents office. While only one president ever lived there, their version of the oval office is there and you can go through on the tour (the tour is free and only available on weekends). A fun place to stop by and we were really glad we were there over a weekend so we could go.

On this square, we also stopped by the cathedral which was unfortunately undergoing restoration on the outside but still lovely inside. Walking around some of this central/ banking area really showed some of the similarities to Parisian architecture. Many of the buildings.looked like they were straight out of an arrondisement, complete with picture perfect terraces, corner garetts, etc. It's certainly not Paris but it was neat to see some commonalities.

Our afternoon plan was to walk around the San Telmo street fair/ market. We ended up being happy we had left so much time for this as the fair actually stretched practically from the start of the La Defensa street til where the street reached the Boca neighborhood to the South (probably 2km). The narrow street is lined on both sides with all sorts of wares; from mate cups and ceramics to leather stalls and jewelry. Its definitely a mix of products and quality and you have to be prepared for a very slow shuffle through a crowd on cobblestones-- a lot of fun though and a great way to spend the afternoon. Toward the south end of this strip, there is a small square where the actual antiques are sold. We saw amazing vintage purses, copper pots, maps- you name it. Midway through the chaos we stopped for an ice cream break at Nonni Blanco (right off the corner of Estados Unidos)-- Argentina claims dulce de leche as its own so I clearly needed to continue my tasting tour!

Later that evening, we met Monica, Brennan's friend from Booth, for dinner in the Palermo Soho neighborhood at a restaurant called Mott. The area looked like a West Village/ Soho cousin in that the buildings were lower, it had more of a neighborhood feel and there was no shortage of shops and restaurants. Little bit more of an up and comer than the well established Recoletta district, but fun to see. Dinner was terrific and we were able to hear about Monica's adventures living abroad in BA (since she graduated a year ahead). A very fun night!