Buenos Aires
I had an amazing day exploring Buenos Aires, Argentina today! It was pretty chilly in the morning so after a great breakfast at L'Adresse Hôtel Boutique, I took an Uber to Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes where I met up with Josefina (Jose for short)! Jose is one of my best friends from college, Courtney’s, distant cousin who lives on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. It was so nice to have someone to spend the day with and I was really looking forward to it!
We started the day walking through Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes which was amazing in itself. The collection featured a broad range of art, from classics to impressionists to modern art. It was a great time just walking through and talking to Jose. I loved getting to know her! She is currently in college studying engineering.
After the museum, we headed to Recoleta Cemetery which was absolutely stunning! It was the perfect day to walk through as well, as the cold and dreary weather fit the cemetery nicely. The cemetery is home to many famous historical figures in Argentina’s history. The tombs are each so immaculate it is no surprise that many people consider Recoleta to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. I had a lot of fun walking around with Jose as she loved using the GoPro to record!
From the cemetery, we headed across the street (past an absolutely giant tree) to grab some coffee and hot chocolate. I had hot chocolate, of course, and it was in the more traditional Spanish style where it is literally chocolate placed in hot milk. It took a while to cool down but was so worth it once it did. We sat and talked for a while, but it was, unfortunately, time for Jose to head out as she was in the middle of finals. I was unable to meet her sister, Cami, due to her having a final! Finals in July is definitely something different.
As we walked towards Jose’s stop we passed through a cool market where Jose pointed out a lot of traditional Argentinian things. She then gave me a few recommendations for the rest of my day and we said our goodbyes. I was sad that she had to go as I had an amazing time getting to know her and exploring Buenos Aires with her!
After we headed our separate ways I walked towards Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum, otherwise known as MALBA. The walk was really nice and I passed a really cool giant flower statue that opens when it is sunny out and closes when it is cloudy. MALBA was really awesome. It was, obviously, a modern art museum. There were only a few small floors open but there were some really cool pieces, including one that was a giant room with polar bears in the middle.
After MALBA I took an Uber back towards the center of town, to Congregación del Santísimo Sacramento. It was unfortunately closed but the outside was really pretty. I then walked towards Teatro Colón but I made a few unplanned stops along the way. The first was to take pictures of a building with “Harrods” written all over. It was closed down, but did you know that the only other Harrods, the famous UK store, to ever open was this one located in Buenos Aires. It goes to show just how influential Buenos Aires was during its prime. Not that it isn’t now, but it definitely experienced somewhat of a Renaissance earlier on as the country has experienced economic issues lately.
I then walked through Galerías Pacífico. I had no idea what it was at first, other than it looked like a mall and would allow me to walk a block or so inside instead of out in the cold. What I found was the nicest mall that I have ever been in. There were people to open the doors for you and then the inside it was just stunning. The architecture is amazing and it has to be one of the most unique malls in the world. My favorite part was the paintings lining the atrium area - it makes you forget that you are in a mall.
I finally then made it to Teatro Colón, the famous opera house in Buenos Aires. It is considered one of the best in the world. However, I’ll have to add it to my to-do list for my next visit. The lines were very long and I still had a lot that I wanted to see in the city! I left and walked down the famous 9 de Julio Avenue that it is situated on. 9 de Julio Avenue is the widest avenue in the world which is pretty amazing. I really enjoyed walking down it to the Obelisco de Buenos Aires which looks exactly like a mini Washington Monument. I was able to get a great picture with the Obelisco and the giant BA letters out front. I really loved walking in this area as it is very lively and modern but the streets are lined with historic buildings.
I walked from the Obelisco to Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. This cathedral is pretty special, as it was the church of Pope Francis when he lived in Argentina before he became Pope. The church was fittingly beautiful and I loved seeing the Pope’s original church. From there I walked out onto Plaza de Mayo which Casa Rosada, the President’s office, sits upon as well. I got some pictures and then headed to Museo Casa Rosada. I just happened upon this museum, but it was free and the architecture was really cool. However, all of the exhibits were in Spanish so it was a really quick stop.
From there I walked to Puerto Madero. Along the walk, I passed a building that looked identical to the Plaza Hotel in New York, but here it was actually a military building. Puerto Madero is an awesome area with restaurants lining the water on both sides. At the end of Puerto Madero is the terminal I will use to take the ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Puerto Madero is also home to the famous bridge, Puente De La Mujer. I walked around the area for a bit and then found a place to eat dinner and look out at the water.
For dessert, I had to stop at McDonald's. Weird, I know. But it was because they had a Toblerone McFlurry which I have never seen before! It has been really interesting to just look at the different menus around the world because there is always something unique. This is the first time I have given something a try, though, and it was pretty tasty! I could have walked back to L'Adresse Hôtel Boutique from Puerto Madero, but it was too cold so I took a quick Uber. I had a long, but amazing, day today in Buenos Aires. There was so much to see and do and I really loved just walking around the city. I also loved getting to meet Jose and getting to walk around with her! It was a really great but exhausting day. I went to sleep quickly as tomorrow I have an early ferry ride to Montevideo, Uruguay!
28 countries down, 168 to go.
Read about my first day in Argentina here.
To learn more about L'Adresse Hôtel Boutique click here.
