B.A.

JG: Flew down to Buenos Aires as part of our flight splurge vs. the 17-hr bus ride. Stayed just off the busiest street in the world - ten lanes of traffic in each direction. Our accommodations were none other than the Hotel Ritz. (Ok, so it was a hostel and an obvious knockoff of the actual Ritz, but it did the trick.)

It was a whirlwind six days - took in a pro soccer game (River Plate vs. Independiente - apparently a recently developing rivalry), which was everything I suspected. The chaos, the energy, the unrelenting hatred for opposing fans which, by the way, had their own section in the stadium, enclosed by fencing and barbed wire....that is, until they ripped through it halfway through the game and proceeded to rip off their seats and heave them at the home team's fans in the level below. I shot some video that I'm unable to post, so we'll have to settle for pics below. 

We took a bike ride of the south part of the city center - great mix of highbrow and realbrow, and did a fair amount of learning about the culture and the people, both of which have been plagued by inconsistent governance and economic upheaval. But even in a city of 13 million, there is always a feel of harmony in the disorder. I could've spent a month in the city center alone - everything from the food to the architecture was first rate. Even squeezed in some golf at a great course in northern B.A.

Took in a tango show (and even a lesson!), and capped the trip with a supper club type of event with 10 other people learning how to make empanadas, and talking about food and wine and the Argentine way of life. All before our 5am wake-up call and our marathon commute across the pond....

SS: THE BEARD IS GONE!!! After about 5 days in Buenos Aires Johnny took out the clippers and surprised me with a soft smooth face! And shockingly, the Blackhawks still managed to win their hockey game that night.... 

BA is an amazing city. Looking out our window you see 20 lanes of traffic jam-packed trying to create even a few more lanes. It's nearly impossible to cross the whole thing walking in one light change. 

We strolled through the glitziest cemetery for a glimpse at the final resting place of the famous Evita Perón and were amazed at the family mausoleums. One place was even available for a cool $250K US. 

The soccer game had its own heartbeat! Such an amazing atmosphere and a full day event. As John mentioned, the opposing team being 'caged' for their own protection, but to top it off you can not leave the stadium until every single opposing team's fans have left the building. We sat for almost an hour just watching and listening to the fury until the last man proudly strolled, then slipped! Haha, down the stairs and out. 

Big day flying across the world to reach our next journey on this amazing trip.