Caminamos, compramos y comamos

Hola,

Sorry for long time no post, we've been busy as usual. Here's a rundown of what we've been up to in the past few weeks...

So we finally managed to sort out the extensive paper work we needed to rent the free Yellow City Bikes. We grabbed some bikes and were heading off to Palermo when Oscar started whining about the flat tyres on his bike. We took it to the closest bike stand to swap it but surprise, surprise, the bike stands shut at 3pm on Saturdays so they wouldn't let us swap it. Maybe it's fate - the yellow bikes and us are just not meant to be.

Anyhow, conveniently we were right near the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes that we had been meaning to check out. Neither of us are particularly art connoisseurs but it is a beautiful 'museum' (art gallery really) with free entry which always makes it even more enjoyable. It had a massive collection from national and international artists from as late as the 16th century, with pieces from all the masters, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh!

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

El Museo

El Museo

Last Sunday was election weekend here, so nowhere is allowed to sell alcohol on Saturday or Sunday -  apparently so people don't vote drunk (seriously!?). Anyway, we had a great (and sober) weekend making some new friends and catching up with some old. Oh and I also made a carrot cake. I bake so often at home and I've been missing it since we've been here. I was a bit of a challenge at first trying to find substitutes for everything I need (what kind of country doesn't have cream cheese?!) but it got the thumbs up from Osc so can't have been too bad.

Torta de zanahoria

Saturday Night Silliness

Yesterday morning we went to the monthly organic food market in Palermo. It had a great range of local produce - wish it was every week! We scored some coffee, muffins, free range eggs (I've been missing 'real' eggs so much!), dulce de leche, cheeses and olive oil. Soo good! Oh and we also met our newest friend 'Basil'.

Palermo Organic Food Markets

Palermo Organic Food Markets

L'epi Bakery - delicious bread

Black Garlic?

'Basil'

I've been bugging Osc pretty much since we got here to take me for a walk around Jardín de Rosas (rose garden) in Palermo, and he finally gave in seeing as we were right nearby and it was a lovely day.  It's rated as one of Buenos Aires' top attractions on tripadvisor and I'd seen some stunning photos of the garden so we were both rather disappointed when there wasn't a rose in sight. Looks like they'd just done the winter prune...sigh. It was still kinda pretty though I guess.

Bosques de Palermo

Bosques de Palermo

Jardin de Rosas

No roses today

In the afternoon we went to the Japanese Festival. I think we were a little late so we missed the parade at the beginning and there wasn't much left to see but some two minute noodles being sold as 'Japanese Cuisine' for $35 pesos(~$7AUD!!). So we went for a stroll along Florida Street (one of the main shopping streets in BA), and did some window shopping whilst ignoring the countless men shouting 'Cambio, Cambio'..'Casa de Cambio' (offering exchange for USD at the 'illegal'-ish black market rate).

Galerias Pacifico Shopping Centre

Galerias Pacifico Shopping Centre

We've also made a few more trips to Teatro Colòn taking advantage of the bi-monthly free shows. Our lovely spanish teacher managed to get some great tickets to the show this morning so we were completely spoilt and got to experience sitting in a balcony and entering through the extremely lavish Libartad entrance. Thanks again Adriana!

Teatro Colon Entrance Hall

With our favourite spanish teacher

Teatro Colon

Teatro Colón

Also we've just been doing the usual  - working, learning spanish, eating lots of steak, strolling the Recoleta markets and parks, watching Grand Designs and consuming ridiculous amounts of helado. I've been a bit homesick missing some events back home (Happy Birthday Mom!) but we're so lucky as Oscar has borrowed a guitar (thanks heaps Marcus!) and has been playing lots and singing his normal silly songs which makes it feel almost like home :)

This is (another) long weekend and then next weekend we're off on the ferry to Uruguay! Can't wait to get out of the city for a little bit.

Hasta Luego,
H

Nice graffiti

Pick up your poop!!

Sidewalk fruit display 

Muchos Vinos