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separate bedroom. I stayed in this evening after traveling all day.
Saturday, February 7: I did a self-guided walking tour of downtown Buenos Aires. I walked along Florida
Avenue, a pedestrian only street, to Plaza San Martin. San Martin helped to liberate Argentina from Spain. The
monument of San Martin was/is very impressive (photo). There is also a monument to their war dead. They have
lost few men compared to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. Then I walked Florida Avenue to Plaza de
Mayo, the central, major plaza of Buenos Aires. The central monument, the Piramide de Mayo is an obelisk with
a European woman on top, the oldest statue representing a European in South America. The main building is the
Pink House or Casa De Gobierno. This is where Eva Peron gave her famous speeches, from the left facing
balcony (photo). There is also a famous Cathedral here with the remains of San Martin. I walked back.
Sunday, February 8: I woke early to catch my city tour by bus. We started at the north end of the City in the
barrios of Recoleta and Palermo. The newest monument is of a flower, whose massive pedals are supposed to
open and close with the rise and fall of the sun. The famous Recoleta Cemetery is here, with the remains of Eva
Peron. Her body is in an unmarked grave for fear of grave robbers. Every weekend there is an outdoor market
next to the Pilar Church, which abuts the cemetery. Vendors carry all types of antiques, art and crafts. On the
outskirts of Palermo there is a large public park, green space and a zoo. Next we drove to Plaza Mayor, where
we took a tour inside the church and around the plaza (info on prior day). Then we went to the southern barrio of
San Telmo. This is where Tango is most popular. There is a street with multi-colored buildings, vendors and
couples dancing the tango. Our last stop was by an outdoor street market on Defensa. Many blocks are closed
every weekend for this large outdoor market. I walked back from here with a short rest in Plaza de Mayo.
Monday, February 9: I slept in this morning. This afternoon I ran errands downtown, including; internet/e-mails,
lunch, travel agency (gathered information on potential trips to Iguazu Falls, Punta del Este, Uruguay, and
Gaugauchu (sp?) for Carnival). This evening I went to a Dinner Theatre to watch a traditional Tango performance
called Senior Tango. The dinner was pretty good, the dancing was excellent, but a few of the singers were past
their prime (i.e.: twin female blonds and the old man with the white beard, mc). They had other acts besides the
Tango dancers and the singers, including; acrobats that flew with the aid of ropes, brief dancing history with live
horses and a contemporary dance routine. There was a single girl sitting next to me with whom I became friendly.
She is originally from Cartegenia, Columbia, but currently is living in Switzerland working and learning German.
Tuesday, February 10: I ran errands today, laundry, internet/e-mails, lunch, tried to repair my camera
(discovered it would take at least four days – maybe computer chip problem), got measurements for groomsman
tux for Brian Rudick’s wedding, called in measurements – international call to DC, … This afternoon I ran into
Nuvia, Columbian young woman, at the reception desk at our hotel and invited her to join me for dinner. We
walked down to the water (a wide channel/harbor leading to the ocean). We walked by the water enjoying the
views and talked. Eventually, we found our restaurant, the one that was recommended, Bahia Madero. We sat at
an outdoor table where there was a pleasant breeze. We shared a spinach ravioli filled with minced turkey for an
appetizer and an Argentinian Shyraz. They were both very good. For the entrée, she had a steak and I had a
local fish. For dessert, I had a brownie ala mode and she had the tiramisu. And we shared an herbal tea after
dessert. The entrée and deserts were average. She is a very nice, considerate, intelligent person. She is
separated. Her husband is Swiss. She has been in Switzerland for four years.
Wednesday, February 11: I packed, headed to the airport, and caught my flight to the Iguazu Falls. My
driver/tour guide, Eliseu, picked me up at the airport. I suggested we skip the hotel and go directly to the Iguazu
Falls. He informed me that today we would go to the Brazilian side of the Falls and tomorrow would be the
Argentinean side. It took about a half hours drive from the airport. The very first view was breathtaking. You can
not appreciate the size and majesty of this natural wonder without being there. I walked along a path leading down
to a main look-out about two-thirds the way to the base of the Falls. Along the way there were many dedicated
look-outs where I took many photos and a couple short videos. Here are a few stats: when the water level is high
there are 275 separate water falls, 1,500 cubic meters of water fall per second, they are combined the widest falls
in the world totaling 2,700 meters, 2,100 on the Argentinean side and 600 on the Brazilian side, and they are only
about 80 meters high. There are very large National Parks associated with the Falls on both the Argentinean and
Brazilian sides. Today, even-though it was spectacular, about 40% of the Falls were off, because there hadn’t
been any rain for about 40 days. On the drive back, Eliseu informed me as we crossed the Iguazu River, as we
looked upstream, where the Iquazu and Parana Rivers meet, is the location at which Brazil, Argentina and
Paraguay all come together, just 12 (or 20) kilometers north of the Falls. Eliseu dropped me at my 3 star hotel,
Latino Hotel. Once in my room, I determined it was lucky to get 3 stars. But, dinner and breakfast were
included. So, I can’t complain too much. I went for a walk to pick up some supplies: water, juice, and a banana.
Then I rested, had my complimentary dinner, watched some TV, then went to sleep.
Wednesday, February 12: I had my complimentary breakfast, then Eliseu picked my up. We drove to the
Iguazu Falls on the Argentinean side. There is a much more elaborate set-up for tourists on this side. After
entering, we caught a small train to the path leading to the Falls. We walked to the Upper Circuit (path) first.
From here you get a close-up view of the San Martin Falls. The San Martin Falls is the largest single Falls on the
Argentinean side. This path took us over many of the Falls, small, medium and large ones. You could see the
water rushing through the metal grates under your feet, just before it cascades down about 20 meters below.
There many of the Falls hit a ledge before finishing there journey to the river below. Then we walked the Lower
Circuit (path). This path is much longer and gradually takes you from above the Falls to the base of the Falls.
There are many scenic vistas. One look-out takes you very close to the Bossetti Falls, where you can feel the
heavy mist from the crashing water covering your body. At one look-out, I got a nice photo with my guide,
Eliseu. At the end of this incredible walk/hike, I got on a boat which took a group of us right under the Falls. We
got totally drenched. We went under the Mosqueteros and San Martin Falls. The perspective of the Falls from
the water level was ominous and gorgeous, simultaneously. The power and beauty of nature is truly awe inspiring.
We then traveled down the river jumping the rapids, while speeding along. We stopped 6 kilometers below the
Falls at Macuco Point. From here we walked up the side of the large hill/mountain to the head of a dirt road,
where a truck was waiting. The truck took us for an 8 kilometer ride along the Yacaratia trail. The guide pointed
out some local flora and fauna and described their unique characteristics (i.e.: leaves for tea, trees for wood,
symbiotic trees and flowers/plants, bamboo used for weaving baskets, …). At the end of the nature tour Eliseu
met me and took me to the airport for my flight back to Buenos Aires. Since my shorts were still soaking from the
boat ride, I had to change in the men’s room at the airport … now we’re roughin’ it (ha!). The flight back to
Buenos Aires was uneventful; I picked up my bags, then found a new hotel.
Friday, February 13: I made travel arrangements to Punta del Este, Uruguay. I had lunch, took a taxi to the
harbor to catch the ferry to Montevideo, Uruguay. From there, I caught a bus to Punte del Este.