Buenas Aires 11-16 September

Essentially I will probably have no money when I get home and will be living off of rice and beans until I figure out a way to make money again but I am having an amazing time getting to know South America!!
With very little prior thought, 4 friends and I decided to head to Buenas Aires by bus for the beginning of Chile's "fiestas patrias" or independence celebrations. We picked the unlucky date of September 11th to head across the mountains to Buenas Aires and because of the stigma this date carries (it was the 35th anniversary of Allende's death and the military coup) Pauline and I left for the bus station 5 hours early for fear of the violent riots that have ended in massive police action in the past. Fortunately, the only crowds we had to fight through were the extra packed metro trains. Although the bus did have to take an alternate rout to get out of the city because of a massive bonfire in the middle of the highway.

I have always thought of big cities as being essentially the same--museums, shopping district, commercial district, port/industrial area, residential zone...crowded with people, music on the street and food all over. Ofcourse there are always factors that create different vibes such as the intonation of car alarms (not kidding, they are different in different countries and the same ridiculously shrill alarm goes off all over Santiago, London however does not have this problem); the topography of the city in terms of its geography and building height; whether you get a sea breeze or are socked in by mountains; a metropolitan focus on art or strict commercial feel, etc.

I loved Buenas Aires! It has really wide streets with a huge variation of architecture but with an amazing mix of classical European with the popular contemporary glass fronted buildings. We say Tango dances in the street at the Sunday market, and ate constantly as a result of the cheap prices.
On monday night I also got to bring my inner hippie out when we went to this 3 hr. long drum circle which was made up of a huge variety of drums from south America, along with a single trumpet and a chilean guitar. I moshed for the first time in my life!!
We went to a botanical garden that has way more species of trees than I have ever seen in my life, which was full of gorgeous stray cats.
We met up with one of my best friends, Matt, who is studying at the University of Buenas Aires and he served as an amazing tour guide. He took us to a 100year old bookstore which is run by the quintessential Argentinian old man, complete with the cigarrette, the driving cap, the sweater vest, and the impeccably polished leather shoes. He also took us to see the graveyard where Eva Duarte Peron, the Princess Di of Argentina, is now buried.
Matt and I went to a great club to meet up with his friends at the early hour of 2am which is the earlies that Argentinians start going out. I still hate the fact that drinks are so expensive in clubs!! I payed 5 stupid dollars for a bottle of water at that place!! But the music was good and it was fun to see Matt in his Argentinian element.
Our hostel was in a great spot, just up from Plaza Italia and about 4 blocks away from the metro which they call the "subte" or "subterraneo." All 5 of us got to share a room which was right off the deck/roof which provided for some epic late night conversations while moon-gazing.

The 24hour bus rides were worth the effort, Buenas Aires was amazing and I was able to see La Pamapa del Sur, which is the bread basket of Argentina.