Sunday the 9th of March 2003- Day 19.
A lot of walking done today. The city is walkable though ita block system (with traffic lights at the end of each block), so alot of stopping and starting. Saw the Pink House and the Congress building (see pictures below) which are both of the Avenue de Mayo. Downtown is grand in statue but after walking around all say, alot of it is run down with derelict buildings. They say all the middle class moved out years ago to the wealthier suburbs. The city centre (centro) is now full of suits until 18.00 each day but is essentially a poor peoples area. Got a very nice lunch (home made veg soup, Hungarian Goulash with ravioli and mineral water) for 13 P. Very nice. Bough the english language Buenos Aires Herald for 1.40 P (0.40 EURO). Also visited two hostels, same price as my single so I will stick to the hotel, but will call back later in the week to see if there is a tour to a football match.
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Buenos Aires – Casa Rosada.
Taken on the 9th of March 2003
It’s a great building on the east side of the plaza. Named for it’s pink color, this building once was a fortress in colonial days, (protecting the city from invasions via the Rio de la Plata). From the balcony of the Casa Rosada, Eva Peron (“Evita”) delivered her speeches to the argentine masses. Demonstrations for the “disappeared” every Thursday at 3.00pm. Subway Station Plaza de Mayo, line A.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Buenos Aires – The National Congress Building.
Taken on the 9th of March 2003
Another Impressive Buiding, a location where alot of protests take place. There seems to a different demonstration every day of the week and lots of cops always about.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Monday the 10th of March 2003- Day 20.
Up at 9.30am. Free breakfast in your room between 7.00am and 10,00am. Well water, coffee and three small crossisants. Ah well, for the price! Raining heavy today, so did nothing until 1.00am. Again walking. Went to the city tourist office for brochures. Saw a bank demonstration on Florida avenue (see below). Alot of people had signs saying “I want my dollars back”. They were banging hammers against the doors. Police all over the place.Alot of political graffiti all over Buenos Aires.
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Buenos Aires – Bank Protest.
Taken on the 9th of March 2003
Another bank demonstration. Lots of people with hammers handing at the door. The cops did not interfere. Banging away with these hammers and others with placards saying “I want my money back”. Its hard on the peoole who lost out. It looks like they may never get their money back. The people in the know got theres out before the collapse.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Got lunch at a all you can eat buffet on De Mayo Avenue. /p including drink. Eat as much as you want (chicken, potatoes, salads, fries etc). Cant be beat. Eat dinner at the PITTO Parilla (341) on Montevideo Avenue. Basically, its a place you get Argentinean grilled beef (supposly the best in the world). Very good. Two beers (600ml bottles) at 3.60 P each and dinner at 7.50 P (2.20 EURO). Massive piece of beef that covered all the plate. Very nice.