This weekend, I visited Iguazu Falls, which lies on the border of Argentina and Brazil. There were seven people from our school who went on this trip. Greg & Gareth – UK, Fidi – Germany, Steven, Josh, & me – USA, Anita – Holland. We left Friday evening and experienced first hand, what motor-coach traveling in Argentina is like. It feels just like business-class traveling by airplane in USA. The seat tilts fully backward (into a bed) and the bus-attendant served us breakfast and dinner as well as wine. The TV monitor showed several movies as well. From BA to Iguazu Falls, it took approximately 12 hours and the return trip took even longer, as the bus made several side-stops along the way.

Photo on Arrival at the Hostel Inn (Day 1) In photo – Anita, Steven, Gareth, Fidi, and Josh

Josh and Ray on the Bus

The Iguazu Falls is considered as one of the greatest waterfalls, bigger than Niaguara Falls in New York State, and wider than Angel Falls in Africa. It costs 40 pesos (about $12 – 13) to enter the park. The park offers several different boat tours. I begin my trip by visiting the upper part – Garganta do/del Diablo. There is a long elevated walkway over the river leading toward the vista point on the top of the waterfall. Along the way, I saw a bird-nest with several fledgelings under the walkway. The view from the top offers a panoramic view of the waterfall. It was a very rainy day. The waterfall was covered in mist.

Map of the Park

Waterfall 1

Waterfall 2

Waterfall 3

Waterfall 4

Bird Nest Under the Bridge

Next, I took an eco-boat (rafting) ride on the top portion of the waterfall. Along the way, I saw several beautiful but high toxic flowers and a wide Cayman (reptile).

Cayman

Then, it started to rain, (heavy purling rain). So, I waited in the cafeteria and had some Italian food. The trail to the inferior (lower part of the waterfall) takes approximately 30 minutes to walk. Along the way, there are many scenic spots. The best part of the tour is the power-boat ride in the waterfall, where the boat is brought directly under the waterfall and gets the passenger soaking wet. It is really exciting.

Ray at the Lower Portion of the Waterfall

Around 5 P.M. I decided to leave the park. On the way out, I saw a Toucan and some wild / native rain-forest animals.

Toucan

Indian Children

Wild rainforest animal

Now, I have been in Bs.As. for around two weeks. I have done quite bit:
1. Visited 2 museums, the city museum and the decorative art museum.
2. Recoleta cemetery
3. San Telmo & Plaza Dorrego
4. English Tower & Retiro Station
5. Ave 9 de Julio & Obelisk
6. Congresso
7. Casa Rosada
8. Parque 3 de Feb.
9. Metropolitan Cathedral
10. Galleria Pacifico
11. A tango lesson.

And, this passed Wednesday night, I saw a Tango show at the Cafe de Los Angelitos. The show was quite good, although the ticket was expensive 180 pesos ($56). The dancers had done a good job presenting Argentinian Tango. The best part is definitely the three woman band (Senorita de Angelitos), playing Bandoneon, Contra-bass, Flute. Their music (MP3) maybe downloaded from the Tango section of the website.

Two years ago, I saw Luis Bravo’s Forever Tango show. In a way, Luis’ show was of a higher quality than the Cafe de Los Angelitos. His dancer sperformed more difficult moves and the choreograph was really beautiful.

This afternoon, several people from my school will be going to Iguazu Falls. I will have more photos. when I come back.

Now, here is a photo of a pair of funny brothers.

Funny Brothers 1

Funny Brothers 2

Today is Saturday. The weather is exceedingly beautiful and sunny. I ventured into the city and visited various parks in BA. I am living in the Hollywood/Palermo area of the downtown. It is 25 minutes walk from where I live to the parks.

First, I visited the “Parque 3 de Febrero” (3rd of February) and walk around the lake. Then, I visited the Recoleta Cemetery, where many famous Argentinians are buried, e.g. Evita, Dorrego, etc. I spent the entire afternoon exploring the city. After coming home, I read about the life of Evita “little Eva”, who was born of wedlock to a wealth man and a mistress in the countryside. After becoming a successful actress, she became the 2nd wife of General Peron. Many Americans only knows about the “Evita“, a film made by Madonna. In her short 30 some odd years, she made a revolution and changed the history of Argentina, by empowering the poors and speaking out for the right of women. One of her greatest the achievement was the founding of the Eva Perone foundation. At the age 33, she died from Cervical Cancer. It is interesting to see how an actress became elevated to nearly goddess status.

Below are some photos of my today’s trip.

Parque 3 de Febrero

Columbs Monument in the Casa Rosada Complex

Evita Tomb

Recoleta Cemetery

Spanish Conquistador Statue

Another Statue

Policeman Standing of the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace), waiting for demonstrators.

Casa Rosada

Dancing Tango Couple (Wood Carving)

A Fancy Building

Last night, I went to Greg’s birthday. Greg is a guy from our school (Expanish). There a dozen people at the party. The food and drinks were plenty. And, Everyone had a good time.

Greg’s Birthday Party

Greg Cutting The Birthday Cake

Today is my third day in BA. The sun has finally broken through the clouds. I walked around the city. After lunch, starting from my school on Viamonte, I walked down on the Avenida 9 de Julio to the Retiro Station (the main train station in BA). Right next to the train station, I discovered the San Martin Palace (The foreign affairs department). This is a very beautiful building. It is built in the French style. And, on Monday and Wednesday at 2:30, there are free tours for visitors. Then, I strolled along the Avenida de Libertador and in the Retiro section. There are some commercial building (high-rises) in BA. Next, I took some pictures of the Obelisk and Teatro de Colon. Finally, I walked to the Congresso (Argentina Congress Building). There is a nice park/plaza with an impressive fountain in front of the building. And, around the square, there are several buildings with distinct architecture styles. Along the street of the Avenida de Mayo (leading up to the Congresso), there are many restaurant offering Tango + dinner shows.

BA was once among the great cities of the world. It’s classic architecture reminds of Spain and France. There are rich traditional in art, history, and culture. It was definite the center of things in South America for a long time. However, the after effect of the devaluation of Peso had negative effects on the city. Now, the city street has lots of trash (lose paper and garbage and dog dun). It has the feeling of a beautiful maiden in second-hand cloth. And, everywhere, there are hustler for prostitute and girly shows.

Also, BA is a very forward thinking city. Many restaurants have WIFI hotspots, even more than many of the USA cities. Technology is definitely moving at a rapid pace in BA.

Here are some photos from my today’s walk around.

Avenida 9 de Julio

Congresso

buildings around the Congresso Plaza

English Tower

Obelisk

Plaza of the Liberator

Plaza of the Liberator 2

Ray at Retiro District

Ray at Plaza of Liberator

Retiro Station

San Martin (Courtyard)

San Martin Palace, office of Foreign Affairs

Last night, people from the school (Expanish) had a pizza night. We went to a nice pizza parlor “Romario” in the hear tof Recoletta area. See Picture. I had a personal size pizza with four different styles. Cannot quite remember all the toppings that I had. But, it was really colorful.

Pizza Night

Today is October 13th. It is my first day in Buenos Aires. I flew last night from Dallas, TX to BA this morning, arrived around 8:45 A.M. The time difference between Dallas and BA is 2 hours.

BA is a historical city in South America. Because the season is reversed in Southern Hemisphere, it is just turning Spring. The weather is wet and drizzy. After finding my living quarter for the next 3 weeks, I walked around the city a little bit. The city has a kind of European flair, reminding me Barcelona or Madrid. However, old buildings and new buildings are mixed together. It does not have as much as the old colonial feel as Melbourne, Australia. I walked from Obelisk to Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). There is a tiny contemporary art exhibition going on in the lobby of the Casa Rosada. There are not as much as old buildings as I had previously imagined.

The handlers for sex trade in this city are quite aggressive. While I was walking down on Cerritos (parallel to Ave 9 de Julio), I got man-handled twice by the pimps for the girly clubs and inviting me to their clubs for a drink. I find this problematic.

In general, people are pretty friendly. And, due to the national holiday, the Subte (Subways) are free to day.

Now, here are some pictures for today.

Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace)

Metropolitan Cathedral

Obelisk

Our Lady (From Metropolitan Cathedral)

Plaza de Mayo

Ray with the Presidential Guard in Casa Rosada

A Street Art (Griffiti) near where I live