Buenos Aires, Day Three and Mendoza, Day Four

I survived my alcohol-induced stupor from the previous day and we had a typical Argentine breakfast of medialunas (croissants) and cafe con leche. It was delicious. This was the day to go to the San Telmo flea market. It takes up the entire neighborhood of San Telmo, once a very prestigeous area centering around the Plaza Dorrego. We took the Subte (subway) there and began walking the few short blocks to the beginning. A couple approached us and asked in Spanish for directions to the flea market. We thought that was kind of odd since we obviously didn't know where we were going. They were walking behind us when suddenly we felt this wet, gooey subtance falling all over our hair and clothing. We thought at first that it was bird poop since we were under a tree at the time. Anyway, the couple offered to help us clean up and before we knew it the woman had Jerry's wallet in her hand! Well, don't mess with a retired law enforcement officer. He had her in a vise-like grip till she dropped the wallet and was obviously in pain. It seems that they had sprayed some liquid all over and the scam was to pick our pockets while appearing to help us. Plot foiled. Our belongings were saved and that women has a very sore hand. So much for messing with a retired Fed! Anyway, then we continued on our way to the flea market and had a great time wandering around for hours and having a snack in a sidewalk cafe. We also visited La Casa Rosada (the pink house)now a museum but previously the home of the Juan and Eva Peron. We saw the balcony where Evita gave her famous speech and we sang a pretty pathetic version of "Don't cry for me, Argentina."

Following our foray into theatrics we walked some more. Buenos Aires is a great city for walking, and we found ourselves once again in the area of Lavalle and Florida Streets, near the Obelisco, which is where all the action is all the time. After a meal of more steak (when in Argentina, eat steak) we went back to the hotel, picked up the luggage and made it to the bus station for our overnight trip to Mendoza. This bus station was bigger and busier than anyplace I have ever been. It was wall-to-wall people, with busses going everywhere every few seconds. I was so stressed out because I was sure we would miss the bus. But we didn't. This was quite a bus. The entire bus was first-class only, with individual beds for each passenger. It was actually very comfortable. We had wine and appetizers, a full hot meal with dessert and coffee and watched two movies. Then they gave us breakfast in the morning and played music videos. It was really great and I would do it again.

We got to Mendoza about an hour late. This is not what I expected at all. It is a lovely, tree-lined medium sized city with outdoor cafes and high-end shopping, especially beautiful leather goods. I am drooling over some of this merchandise but I think Jerry will hit me over the head with my new tango shoes.

Right now we are in siesta mode, as everyone else in this city at the moment. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe and it's nap time. We will be refreshed and ready to hit the streets at 4 p.m., when everything opens again.