Meet Paul Defatta. There is nothing like stepping out of your hotel room and being graced with a master guitarist and vocalist echoing the brilliance of James Taylor and Cat Stevens. Paul and his Colombian-born wife, Rocio, had traveled over 5000 miles by bus from Houston Texas to Buenos Aires Argentina, and had decided that now was a good time to spend about a month there. Paul just needed to "keep his fingers loose" which properly translated means, "some of the absolute best live music I've heard in my life!".
Our free private concerts were only matched by some great conversations we had at an incredible pizza place. Good food was certainly not hard to come by in Argentina - steak, pastas, pizzas, you can´t go wrong. This was our favorite pizza and empanada place just a half block from our hotel. Open until 4 am for the late night Buenos Aires culture.When not eating or listening to Paul, we figured we should get out and see Buenos Aires. Sunday was the Primera Dia de Primavera and the whole city came alive with musicians, dancers, antique venders (I´ve never seen so many pocket watches in my life!), bakers selling empanadas as big as your head and countless other street performers. After weaving our way through the crowded street fairs, we decided to check out a plaza on the other side of town. It was filled with thousands of people, from Hare Krishnas jumping and chanting about, more street vendors selling their own take on fine silver, and free concerts around every corner.
All the Argentineans were amazed to see that even Zac Efron of High School Musical wanted in on the festival action! Even the boys wanted a picture with him! Can you blame them!?
And who could forget Tango? Argentina is synonymous with Tango. With dancers on the street, even Grandmothers want their turn. Let's just say that we gave all those other guys a run for their money (that's right, 3.10 in peso contributions from passers by - watch out world!). Sadly though, we weren't able to adjust to 2 am starting time of Argentinean night life, so Joe never got to show off his dance skills for the hip Argentinean crowd.
We spent a couple hours on our last day at Buenos Aires' cemetery, something everyone told us we had to see. Located in the center of town, families have bought their way into one of the most exclusive cemeteries in the world (Evita Peron rests here). It looks more like a small city than a cemetery. Granite facades and marble sculptures were garnished with gold, stained glass windows, all done with exquisite detail. Even in death, the rich of Buenos Aires try to outdo each other with extravagant homes.
We spent a couple hours on our last day at Buenos Aires' cemetery, something everyone told us we had to see. Located in the center of town, families have bought their way into one of the most exclusive cemeteries in the world (Evita Peron rests here). It looks more like a small city than a cemetery. Granite facades and marble sculptures were garnished with gold, stained glass windows, all done with exquisite detail. Even in death, the rich of Buenos Aires try to outdo each other with extravagant homes.
Before we knew it, it was time to pick up our laundry and get ready for the Inca Trial and one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. Until next time! Ciao!
- Joe
