Buenos Aires
The following day was spent sauntering around town, down Avenue Florida - a
pedestrian mall jam-packed with people and street vendors. Then on to Plaza de
Mayo with its pink palace (or presidential office), past lovely old colonial-style
buildings and around the famous obelisk right in the middle of Ave 9 de Julio. With
its eight lanes in either direction, I was sure this was the widest main road in the
world.
Eventually, we sat down at a sidewalk restaurant. While looking at the menu, an
incredibly skilled thief nicked my bag (which I’d placed on the ground between my
feet). So good was the thief, neither Ernest nor I noticed anything. This was quite
a disaster as the bag contained my wallet with cash and bank cards, as well as my
camera, reading glasses and, even more disastrous, memory cards with all my
photos of South America since arriving in Ushuaia. The best part of the day was
thus spent cancelling cards and ordering new ones.
Buenos Aires
The bank’s early morning phone call revealed new bank cards could be delivered,
but it would take seven working days. The day was spent investigating the city
streets, including a stroll to Puerto Madero (a waterfront area with many modern
skyscrapers) and then south to the San Telmo district with its narrow cobblestoned
streets, old buildings and antique markets. Next, we proceeded to the La Boca
district with its colourful houses and home of the Boca Juniors football team.
Eventually, we took the bus to the city centre, where I scanned the area for a new
camera.