The forecast was wrong. It has been a beautiful day with blue skies, a slight breeze and a perfect temperature of around 24c. Ideal for getting my bearings here. Where I am staying (Palermo) is considered to be one of the most chic and trendy parts of Buenos Aires – not especially known for it’s architectural heritage but full of boutique shops, countless bars and restaurants plus, at weekends, open air markets
the stalls mainly selling craft ware
with the occasional oddball thrown in.
Whereas in Panama it was metal number plates, here it’s metal signs mostly featuring Parillas, the Argentinian style of BBQ cooking.
Surrounding this market there are numerous cafes and restaurants where locals were enjoying their weekend break in the sun. All very continental European!
As for the actual shops, there is a variety to suit all tastes some doing their best to entice customers through the door.
Perhaps some of the trendier outlets in UK should offer Bucks Fizz on a Saturday afternoon.
My first, brief impression when I arrived yesterday evening was of a plethora of tree lined boulevards and I wasn’t wrong.
Everywhere you turn there are trees in full leaf interspersed with the occasional Jacaranda in full bloom.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that my Argentinian/German flying companion of yesterday told me that Argentinians like to kiss a lot. At the time I thought little of it as what I have seen so far throughout my travels suggests that both central and south Americans are a touchy feely lot. Here, however age doesn’t seem to be a barrier to showing affection in public.
Having said that, life in Buenos Aires can’t all be so luvvy dovey as this sign indicates
which, translated, means ‘Speak out against violence against women’.
Something else quirky struck me as I wandered the streets of this oh so ‘European’ city. A railway line cutting right through the middle.
Can you imagine having a level crossing in, say, Park Lane?
In common with Lima, I have spotted a number of craft beer outlets, one of which is close to where I’m staying.
So I’m off to check it out.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend y’all.
Phileas
thelasthurrahsite 