Buenos Aires, Argentina - Day 1
Lots to do and lots to see!
We are very fortunate to have visited Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, a couple of times previously and this allowed us to make the most of our recent two day visit.We were out and about on our first day, as soon as our ship had been given clearance, in the early afternoon, by the customs and immigration authorities and on the second day were were on the go by 8:30am. We had two busy days of walking, and busing, in 30C temperatures and high humidity, while covering almost 18km by foot.
Buenos Aires is a large city which has a population of close to 3 million people, in the central area, and almost 13 million for the greater metro district. It is a very busy city and, in some areas, has quite large crowds which hinder easy pedestrian progress.
In general terms, I would describe this city as one which has a variety of architectural styles, very wide boulevards bounding areas of very narrow streets, many mature and leafy trees, lots of public parks, and many, many, statues and, so very many people and vehicles. All of which presents a major challenge to any visitor who wishes to see it all while having limited time to do it.
Our first sortie into the city streets took us past the bus station, the local train station and the long distance train station, all of which are conveniently located side by side. This is an area of extremely high activity with many folks entering, or leaving, one of the three stations, or moving in both directions, along the crowded sidewalk.
The majority of people were carrying a variety of baggage - overstuffed bags, suitcases, parcels, babies, and family groups with children in tow. The chaos was compounded by dozens of street vendors, many of whom were selling food, drinks and a variety of street ‘delicacies’ from carts, temporary stalls, styrene coolers and the like. Further adding to the congestion were still more street sellers who were offering their trinkets from stalls, or had them laid out directly on the sidewalk.
This was not an area in which we felt super comfortable, and while clutching our bags to our bodies, we made our way quickly through the chaotic congestion and crossed the wide boulevard towards the English Clock Tower and into the quiet respite of a surrounding park.
After enjoying the shade of the park and a sip of water, we continued towards the Plaza Liberatador General San Martin, which provided us with another shady respite from the hot sun.
Shortly after leaving this park area we were on the Avenida Florida - a couple of kilometres long pedestrianized area of shops, restaurants and street entertainers - we were in search of the tango dancers.
Just prior to heading back to our ship, a quite long walk and wanting to be back on board before dark at 8:00pm, we encountered a McDonald’s eatery.
Almost in unison, we exclaimed “Let’s have an ice cream cone” and in we went.
“Dos cono con KitKat, por favor, vanilla” Not perfect Spanish perhaps, but we got what we expected and were well pleased.
Very soon it was time to get moving again, our feet were protesting and the sun is starting to get lower in the sky. No more time to waste.
Our first sortie into the city streets took us past the bus station, the local train station and the long distance train station, all of which are conveniently located side by side. This is an area of extremely high activity with many folks entering, or leaving, one of the three stations, or moving in both directions, along the crowded sidewalk.
The majority of people were carrying a variety of baggage - overstuffed bags, suitcases, parcels, babies, and family groups with children in tow. The chaos was compounded by dozens of street vendors, many of whom were selling food, drinks and a variety of street ‘delicacies’ from carts, temporary stalls, styrene coolers and the like. Further adding to the congestion were still more street sellers who were offering their trinkets from stalls, or had them laid out directly on the sidewalk.
This was not an area in which we felt super comfortable, and while clutching our bags to our bodies, we made our way quickly through the chaotic congestion and crossed the wide boulevard towards the English Clock Tower and into the quiet respite of a surrounding park.
After enjoying the shade of the park and a sip of water, we continued towards the Plaza Liberatador General San Martin, which provided us with another shady respite from the hot sun.
Shortly after leaving this park area we were on the Avenida Florida - a couple of kilometres long pedestrianized area of shops, restaurants and street entertainers - we were in search of the tango dancers.
Just prior to heading back to our ship, a quite long walk and wanting to be back on board before dark at 8:00pm, we encountered a McDonald’s eatery.
Almost in unison, we exclaimed “Let’s have an ice cream cone” and in we went.
“Dos cono con KitKat, por favor, vanilla” Not perfect Spanish perhaps, but we got what we expected and were well pleased.
Very soon it was time to get moving again, our feet were protesting and the sun is starting to get lower in the sky. No more time to waste.
Street vendors on a quieter (more safe) area near the stations.
Long distance train station,
photographed because it was the most quiet of the three stations.
Ticket windows at the long distance train station.
English Clock Tower.
One of the many, very wide, boulevards
which must be crossed very carefully.
This major thoroughfare runs between the clock tower to the right
and to the left is the plaza of the liberator
Park and Plaza Liberatador General San Martin
English clock tower, Center back ground.
Outside and inside of Galerias Pacifico
a mid to high end shopping mall.
Ornate front door and upper floors of very a well preserved building
Front window of a cafe
Convenience store open 25 hours! Really?
These ice cream cones are going to taste so very good.
Safely back at the port/cruise terminal
just as it was starting to get dark and avoiding a time
when tourists should not be out on the streets.
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