South of America

A new continent to explore. Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and wherever else works in. Read more

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Day 13
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 11:57 AM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 141 ft
Uruguay Monumento al General Fructuoso Rivera -34.894188, -56.16588934°53’39” S 56°9’57” W
Cool Phone
October 19, 2023 in Uruguay ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
I love a good tech gadget. This is the first time I’ve had one of these folding Samsungs in my hand. I didn’t get a price.
TravelerYou can get them free at at&t right now.
10/21/23Reply
TravelerReally?
10/21/23Reply
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Day 13
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1:24 PM
🌬 64 °F
Altitude: 194 ft
Uruguay Tres Cruces Bus Station -34.893528, -56.1667434°53’37” S 56°10’0” W
Bus station… again
October 19, 2023 in Uruguay ⋅ 🌬 64 °F
Back to my Airbnb in Argentina in three easy steps and 6 hours….
Step 1- the three hour bus ride from Montevideo to Colonia. I arrived at the station 2 hours early to be sure I got on the right bus at the right time. So far so good. In my window seat and waiting for the bus to get going.
They have interesting loading. Our ultimate destination is the ferry dock in Colonia. The ferry can hold 3-4 bus loads… so they start filling a bus and when it’s full it leaves. We are pulling away 30 minutes before our planned departure. But… all of the buses will offload in Colonia and we will all fill the same ferry, our bus load will just wait at the ferry station a long time.Read more
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Day 13
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 3:20 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
Uruguay Ecilda Paullier -34.358626, -57.08400434°21’31” S 57°5’2” W
Old Town Main Market
October 19, 2023 in Uruguay ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
This building was the original marketplace for Montevideo. Farmers came here from the rural areas to sell their farm goods. Eggs, meats and vegetables. As the area grew the market space was too small and it closed. It sat vacant for many years until it was re-invented as a market for today.
What I read said it was the cornerstone of a revitalization of the neighborhood but I don’t think it worked. But the market itself was great.
Let me know if you’d shop here?Read more
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Day 13
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 4:35 PM
🌬 66 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Uruguay Puerto de Colonia del Sacramento -34.47447, -57.84404734°28’28” S 57°50’39” W
Step two
October 19, 2023 in Uruguay ⋅ 🌬 66 °F
We arrived at the ferry terminal. One hour before the ferry will load and an hour and half before it leaves. I left Uruguay again and entered Argentina, at least that’s what my passport says.
This time the ferry is a catamaran type, the first was a ferry that carried cars also. I understand this one is a little faster.
The photo of the cars was loading the ferry before mine.Read more
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Day 14
Friday, October 20, 2023 at 5:38 PM
🌬 70 °F
Altitude: 138 ft
Argentina Recoleta -34.5891, -58.39472534°35’21” S 58°23’41” W
Sports Bar in Recoleta
October 20, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ 🌬 70 °F
Friday night in Buenos Aires and I did what any red blooded American would do, I went to a sports bar and watched a game. And I watched Rugby! Ha bet you thought I would say football or baseball didn’t you? The match Argentina v New Zealand. And honestly it wasn’t even a good match and Argentina was out played in every way. The venue however was great. Table on the sidewalk and people were literally standing in the street in the intersection watching the game. If a rugby match can draw a crowd, soccer must be crazy!Read more
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Day 14
Friday, October 20, 2023 at 7:21 PM
🌙 68 °F
Altitude: 138 ft
Argentina Plaza Francia -34.588725, -58.39231334°35’19” S 58°23’32” W
Drinks overlooking a cemetery
October 20, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ 🌙 68 °F
After rugby I walked with my friends James and Olivia to another bar. This one had a roof deck, and unbeknownst to us the bar over looked the Recoleta cemetery that I visited in week 1 (the one where Elvita Peron is buried). Admittedly at first it was pretty odd to be enjoying the view of a cemetery but the after getting over the surreal nature of it, it was… dare I say… magical? The sun set, the sky lit up, the lights turned on, and we toasted the absolutely crazy adventures you have while traveling.
A great thanks to James and Olivia for the days we spent in two different countries. I do hope we can meet up again in another country in the near future. You guys are my favorite world travelers.Read more
TravelerNice open space between all the highrise
10/21/23Reply
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Day 15
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 3:05 PM
☁️ 75 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Argentina Colegiales -34.571, -58.4431234°34’16” S 58°26’35” W
Slow day
October 21, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Not much today. I went to the end of the sube and then walked across a bit, took another sube, and another and ended up at a different Coto (market). Where i bought these things. I was thinking I haven’t had a salad in a long time, so tonight will be chicken Parmesan with a salad a rice.
The shopping trip was 3,558. About $4.50.Read more
TravelerWow! Great bargain! Enjoy!
10/21/23Reply
TravelerWhat is in the can? Peras?
10/21/23Reply
TravelerA can of pears.
10/22/23Reply
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Day 17
Monday, October 23, 2023 at 1:30 PM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
Argentina José León Suárez -34.53762, -58.57284234°32’15” S 58°34’22” W
Training around
October 23, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
I wanted to take a train to the farthest out I could get. That is Villa Rosa. I planned it out I knew my station, but… I failed to recognize that there are two trains at that station. So… yep I ended up on a train ride to the wrong place. However, it isn’t to a “unsafe” area so I’m all well. But this isn’t the best part of town and it looks not so great. I’m learning the trains.
I don’t know what the little bumps are on the roofs, maybe for water, or for UFO landings.Read more
TravelerThe tanks look like water tanks. I'll bet that is the only way to get any water pressure.
10/26/23Reply
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Day 18
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 12:19 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 52 ft
Argentina Río Sarmiento -34.414263, -58.56898734°24’51” S 58°34’8” W
Tigre, Argentina
October 24, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
I took the train to this beautiful river/coastal town. If you look at a map you’ll see that this area is a series of finger islands. Beyond the main part of the city it’s islands that sit practically at river level. The houses are on stilts and there are no roads. Only boats connect the people. Within the islands there are stores, schools, a doctor who comes through on a boat once every two weeks and makes house calls (realistically he brings his office to you). There is power but no fresh water so you buy in bulk and store or a water boat comes and refills your gallon jugs. For some reason these islands and houses really called to me. Like beaconed me. I’d love to come back and stay for awhile.Read more
TravelerInteresting…. I’m guessing that the river doesn’t rise much in the rainy season…. Some of those homes look pretty close to the river level….
10/24/23Reply
TravelerMost of them are on stilts and although some look like they are two stories the first floor was open so the water could flow under. And the water is a river so I agree that there shouldn’t be much tidal rise. Not sure about global warming.
10/24/23Reply
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Day 18
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 1:09 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Argentina Río Tigre -34.414837, -58.58050834°24’53” S 58°34’50” W
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Other Tigre
October 24, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Here are a few more photos of Tigre.
Traveler Beauty
10/27/23Reply
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Day 19
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 10:19 AM
☀️ 61 °F
Altitude: 131 ft
Argentina Colegiales -34.570877, -58.44303934°34’15” S 58°26’35” W
Everywhere in Buenos Aires
October 25, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Today was expensive! But I had planned it that way. I have way too many pesos from my exchanges and the rate was very high, so with my time winding down (10 days to go), I thought I’d better spend some. I went to the office and bought a day trip out of town to see a really touristy Goucho show. It was 55,000 pesos about $45 USD and includes lunch and wine and a horse show and ranch tour. I’m 100% sure it will be a long, albeit, corny day. That’s my Friday adventure. I also spent 12,000 about 11 USD in the hop on hop off bus. More about that in my next post.Read more
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Day 19
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 12:02 PM
☀️ 64 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
Argentina Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti -34.542653, -58.44931234°32’34” S 58°26’58” W
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HOP! HOP!!
October 25, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Today was spent riding the hop on hop off bus. At first I thought it would be a waste but it really wasn’t. The weather was perfect and the entire circle took 5 hours including a stop for lunch. Here are some photos of my views.Read more
Traveler Not International? Flights only within Argentina? This seems a small number of destinations to make a separate airport. Or, does this include other parts of south America?
10/26/23Reply
Traveler I actually don’t know right now, but I’m working a trip to the falls and those flight leave from this airport so I will let you know
10/26/23Reply
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Day 19
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:51 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
Argentina Estación Casa Amarilla -34.637713, -58.36280834°38’16” S 58°21’46” W
Boca Juniors
October 25, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
This is the stadium for the Boca Juniors. When I first arrived I thought it was the junior level players (like little league)… turns out that these are junior in name only. They are pro and top notch. And their stadium is right in the middle of the La Boca neighborhood.Read more
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Day 19
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 3:18 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 62 ft
Argentina Matanza River -34.639812, -58.36262234°38’23” S 58°21’45” W
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La Boca
October 25, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
This neighborhood is famous for his brightly colored houses, tourists, tango and sketchy night life. Full of stalls and shops all selling the same things (mugs, magnets, and football jerseys). I had lunch at a restaurant that had Tango dancers on a stage who performed while we ate. Not like a Medieval Times Dinner Theater in California, just two people doing the Tango while we ate. It was really fun to watch and eat. I felt like I my $10.00 USD meal was worth it.
I saw some other people eating who had a BBQ thing on their table with meat, I’ll have to work out what it is and give it a try.Read more
Traveler Fun recipes! I get the total in pesos, and the USD. What are the other two currency conversions? Is this common or only in the tourist areas?
10/26/23Reply
Traveler How much does that street art go for? Is it real art, or just reproductions?I may need you to pick something up for me.
10/27/23Reply
Traveler Around $10.00 im going to another show today (saturday) and i will buy something for you
10/28/23Reply
TravelerThanks
11/26/23Reply
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Day 21
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:19 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 72 ft
Argentina La Rosada -34.343217, -59.22681334°20’36” S 59°13’37” W
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Gaucho day
October 27, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Woke up early and got into a shuttle van for the 1 hour ride into the Argentine pampas region where we visited a ranch. Similar to any 1850’s US ranch. There were horses to ride, historic houses to tour, animals to pet and food to eat. It was a full day adventure. Reminded me of the working farm tour I took when I lived in New Zealand.Read more
Traveler Looks yummy!
10/28/23Reply
TravelerInteresting saddle,or lack there of, on the trail horse. Looks like you are sitting on just a pile of blankets with just a single leather strap to hold it on to the horse. No strips for your feet, no horn for your hands to hold. How did you get on and stay on top of the animals?
10/28/23Reply
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Day 21
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 3:47 PM
☁️ 79 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
Argentina La Rosada -34.342255, -59.22589234°20’32” S 59°13’33” W
Horses
October 27, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
I’m not a big horse fan, and I’m sure my friend Amanda would object, but the day included a display of gaucho horsemanship. These guys and their horses jabbed tiny rings while flying full speed, flipped around, stood up, and basically did all the crazy things that guys do today on bikes but on four legged animals. One guy must have had a good relationship with his horse as he got it to lay down and then they did horse/man couples yoga. It was impressive.Read more
TravelerLove this! What a unique experience
10/27/23Reply
TravelerI'm surprised to see him wearing soft boat shoes and not boots looks like a very interesting display
10/28/23Reply
TravelerYes that was noted. No cowboy boots, or spurs either. Here there is a stronger relationship with the horse, more gentle horsemanship. Even the saddles are softer and without adornment
10/28/23Reply
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Day 21
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 5:09 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 75 ft
Argentina Manuel Alberti -34.446514, -58.75501634°26’47” S 58°45’18” W
Picnic in the park….ing median
October 27, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Honestly the most unsafe thing I’ve seen. People are having picnics in the median of the freeway! I thought the trees were there to keep collect cars if they run off the road, but here the trees are for sitting under with a blanket. They are treating the spaces like linear parks but the parks are next to a major freeway, without fences. The photos don’t do the absurdity of the practice justice.Read more
TravelerMaybe the traffic keeps away stray animals from disturbing the picnic?
10/28/23Reply
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Day 22
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:49 AM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 95 ft
Argentina Colegiales -34.570028, -58.4449834°34’12” S 58°26’42” W
Sometimes I need to feel like home
October 28, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
I’d love to write some deep thought about being away from home, and away from loved ones, and the need to connect with the known world, but I’m not that eloquent. Instead I will say, it’s been 23 days on this trip, the language (especially how hard my brain works every day just to get the right direction on the subway) can make the trip less than fun. But there are times when everything clicks, I surprise myself with my abilities, my courage, and my general happy being. I look around and think “Holy Shit! I’m in Buenos Aires, no matter what happens today I’m on a huge adventure. “
Then I eat here for lunch and it makes me smile.Read more
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Day 22
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 12:49 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
Argentina Plaza Francia -34.584897, -58.39118334°35’6” S 58°23’28” W
Placia Franzia
October 28, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Every weekend there are artists fairs in several plazas. Today I picked the one in this plaza. It was really well done with stalls built already and the vendors put on their own touches. It was very wonderful and very colorful. I found more of the happy troll people that reminded of the Christmas Trolls in Scandinavia. It wasn’t until I got 1/2 way around when I worked out it was adjacent to the Recoletta cemetery.Read more
TravelerWas this only arts & crafts? No street food or other farmers market type stuff?
10/29/23Reply
TravelerNot a farmers market so no vegetables. No food trucks or food stands either.
10/30/23Reply
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Day 22
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:53 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 66 ft
Argentina National Museum of Fine Arts -34.583172, -58.39298234°34’59” S 58°23’35” W
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
October 28, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Good museums are such a joy. I like to look at art and I am starting to recognize artists at a distance. This has all the “regulars” Degas, Rodin, Monet, Van Gough and an interesting Toulouse Lautrec. It also had its share of pretentious art explanations, and a good collection of Argentine specific artists I have never seen. It lacked in storage lockers , seating and a cafe. But it was free so +2 culture for me today and one day I hope to make a fecund connection with something.Read more
TravelerMore proof that you have better taste in art than I do.
10/29/23Reply
TravelerI think I like Argentinian art….
10/30/23Reply
TravelerMost of these pieces are impressionist or post-impressionist artists and not really Argentinian. It is my favorite style. But I agree with you that Argentina certainly loves art
10/30/23Reply
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Day 22
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 2:26 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 52 ft
Argentina Plaza Francia -34.583088, -58.39040334°34’59” S 58°23’25” W
Spider Mens? Spider Mans?
October 28, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
There is always something to see. Is this a collection of Spider Mens? Or Spider Mans? Inquiring minds need to know.
TravelerWill the real Peter Parker please step forward?
10/29/23Reply
TravelerI learned that all of the Spiders were a result of the opening of a new Spider-Man movie and a world record attempt at having the most spider-men in the same place.
10/31/23Reply
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Day 23
Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 11:25 AM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 141 ft
Argentina Plaza de Mayo -34.61, -58.37199534°36’36” S 58°22’19” W
San Telmo Neighborhood
October 29, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Today was a walking tour of the “oldest” part of BA. This area started out around the Jesuit church, adding a school and small community. Several other churches were built with several becoming the center of battles between countries for control of the area. Notably between England everyone else. This was in a time when Buenos Aires was only a town without Argentina the country. During one of the battles the church was hit with cannon balls and today they have recreated that with fake balls into the building.Read more
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Day 23
Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 12:03 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 112 ft
Argentina Illuminated Block -34.612675, -58.37056334°36’46” S 58°22’14” W
Mafalda
October 29, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
There is a very famous Latin American comic strip type character here called Mafalda. Similar to Calvin and Hobs who was actually social commentary disguised as a children comic. I’m not at all familiar with the series but the main character is a 6-year old girl and her “friends” who make child-like statements about Argentina and the world.
Part of the San Telmo neighborhood has statues of Madalda and her friends as public art.
Mafalda is in a main area and there was a long line to sit next to her for a photo.
She must be very popular with all ages, although the artist died in the 1990’s.Read more
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Day 23
Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 2:01 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 108 ft
Argentina Plaza Dorrego -34.620655, -58.37208834°37’14” S 58°22’20” W
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Sunday Crafts in San Telmo
October 29, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
The main draw of San Telmo is the Sunday antique market. As previously mentioned, this was the oldest part of the city and as the area fell into neglect (as the rich people moved further out and away from the center or died during one of the many pandemics) often the mansions were abandoned leaving the buildings to distant heirs or the homes were rented to many families for communal housing. Money was tight so the neighbors decided to sell the things they found in the houses, and thus, the antique market was formed. It’s only on Sunday and has expanded to include much more than antiques it’s many many blocks and is a huge craft fair.Read more
Traveler Those books look really cool!
10/30/23Reply
Traveler Interesting art, but kind of neat really….. I think I like it
10/30/23Reply
Traveler ….it’s interesting…. I think I could look at that for a long time
10/30/23Reply
TravelerIf you look close the bit over her head is part of a map
10/30/23Reply
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Day 23
Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 7:05 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
Argentina Torre de los Ingleses -34.602967, -58.37808834°36’11” S 58°22’41” W
Come From Away
October 29, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
BA has a huge artist scene. Obviously with the weekly fairs and the gallery’s but the performing theater is also huge and it’s subsidized by the government.
There is a theater district with at least 5 performance stages. These are sized ones similar to New York, but not as large as the theaters in Sydney or San Francisco.
There is a location near the Obelisk that sells tickets to the people. I saw that Come from Away was there so I went to the window and asked about tickets… he said “1,000 pesos for a coupon that I take to the theater and exchange for a ticket”. I confirmed I’d heard right and got my translation right “1,000?” Roughly .85? Yes….
Ever suspicious I gave him my 1,000, walked two blocks and turned it in at the ticket office along with an additional 3,500 and I had a ticket for the Sunday show that started at 7:30 pm ( a very odd time for theater I thought).
Now ok, I’ve seen the show and I’m fine with it being in Spanish but surely my 4,500 pesos ticket would be with an obscured view at the top of the theater to the far left, but that’s ok it’s an adventure. Imagine my surprise when I was seated in the third row center of the balcony!!
Even though I knew the show it was really hard to follow as theater really makes my lack of language apparent, but I had a great time. A quick pizza afterward and I was back home by 11:00 on a Sunday evening. If my Spanish was better the theater barrio would be my home.Read more
TravelerIt looks pretty busy down there for a Sunday evening….
10/30/23Reply
TravelerIt was crazy busy. Argentine culture is really night oriented some restaurants don’t open until 6:00 and families eat out Stuart if at 9:00pm
10/30/23Reply
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