Recoleta, Centro, and more

We went to Recoleta today. This is the richest area in town. From the taxi ride, we could see the Cartier, Louis Vuitton shops. It has the most popular street fair and the cemetery of Recoleta.
The city of the dead hosts some of the richest and most famous, including Evita Peron. She was dead at age 33. She never went to college but left such an impact on her people. Her grave is the only one left with flowers blooming everyday. It took us an hour going through 'house' after 'house' of elaborate carvings, sophisticated statues and beautiful shining marble sarcophagies.

We took a break at La Biela, serving since 1950. I tried mate, the yerba herb tea, which is supposed to be a national obsession. It was not served traditionally in the teapot. This one was a cup full of dried herbs. The server poured hot water in it and added a bag of sugar. I used a straw and was instructed not to stir it. I soon realized why since I would have a mouth full of tiny bitter herbs. It was definitely an acquired taste. I think I prefer the green tea.

After a little stroll at the fair, we stopped by Munich for lunch. The restaurant served huge portions, just like the meal we had last night.

Casa Rosada, the presidential palace was our next stop. The pink house stood the entire side back side of Plaza de Mayo. in the middle of the plaza, there is the small obelisk symbolizing the independence of Buenos Aires.

We walked from the plaza to the big obelisk at Plaza Republic. The street on one side had at least 10 lanes going one way. (Julio 9 Ave.) We had to run to cross the street in time.

The weather was perfect. The Portenos are everywhere chilling in the sun, in the numerous parks in the city.

Tonight we have a tango show at Tango Rojo at 10. I chose Tango Rojo instead of the more Broadway production type of tango show because I wanted us to experience the traditional tango. The more touristy ones such asSenor Tango, has horses coming on stage during the tango show. Tango Rojo, on the other hand has very intimate setting and still has the traditional taste of tango. The show room is in Hotel Faena and it only seats 120. I first read about it on Forbes travel issue. As I sipped my Malbec and enjoyed the dainty deserts from the three tier tray, the magic of tango flowed through the air. The energy was dark, seductive, passionate, deeply suppressed yet the same time with ultimate abandon, just as I imagined it all could and should have been.