Day 3
They do food very well in Buenos Aires. Not surprising considering the mix of European and native cultures. Apart from doing beef true justice, the empanadas, tapas, and even pizza are all worth the trip by themselves. I can't really say enough about empanadas. With beef, peppers, onions and spices stuffed in pastry dough and baked or fried, how can you do wrong. I also had some of the best sushi I have had anywhere in a restaurant run by a chef from Peru who mixes Peruvian spices and native things like sweet potatoes with traditional sushi ingredients. Combine that with some warm sake and I am one happy guy.
In the evening Alberto drove me around the city to see some of the sights. Buenos Aires has probably more statues and public art than any place I have been. Broad boulevards named after famous people or dates in Argentine history are everywhere, punctuated by statues and monuments in every block.
It was dark after some touring, and Alberto took me to see the Rosedal, a rose garden in a park by the river he claimed was "very beautiful". This seemed odd as it was far too dark to see the flowers. As we drove on through the park, we encountered what seemed like a traffic jam. This further seemed odd, considering it was around 11:00 on a winding road through a city park. As we drove slowly in a line of cars, I saw ahead on the right a woman leaning against a post. Her manner of dress and posture clearly advertised her intent. I asked Alberto, "hooker?, to which he replied "Yes, but wait." We drove on. It was dark and hard to see, but as we moved along more and more women appeared standing by the side of the road with cars filing slowly past, some stopping by one or another girls. Now this is where it gets kind of weird. Coming around a bend in the road, there were two girls on the shoulder standing completely naked, waving at the cars driving even more slowly past. Farther along others were topless, bottomless, and what I guess were the shy ones dressed, well, like hookers. This went on for probably half a mile, hooker after hooker, car after car. Now, this is where it gets even weirder. As we are nearing the end, Alberto turns to me and says "By the way, most of those were guys!" Wow, didn't see that coming! OK, I know it was dark out but I think I am pretty knowledgeable about human anatomy and gender differences. Those could not have been guys, could they? Well, a web search after returning to the hotel proved Alberto was speaking the truth. Damn... Anyway, be warned. If you are in Argentina and looking for a hooker...its definitely a buyer beware market!
After the park, we went to a coffee shop as Alberto wanted to introduce me to alfajores, hit favorite Argentinian treat. An alfajore is similar to a moon pie, but unlike a moon pie, it tastes good. Really good. Actually, really, really good. So good I am bringing a large quantity home.
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| Alfajores. |
As we were sitting outdoors having coffee and alfajores, across the street a short, chubby man got out of a taxi with two tall, scantily dressed women and entered a restaurant. Alberto commented how that seemed odd. I suggested "Maybe he just came from the park". Alberto shrugged and said "Yeah, probably so."
Day 4 preview. First impressions of Brazil
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