Buenos Aires - Sin Maleta

The best thing about arriving in a foreign country without a suitcase, which spent an extra night at Washington Dulles Airport, is that sightseeing can begin immediately. No need to hassle with dragging luggage and checking-in right away. Instead, I took a bus directly from Buenos Aires' international Airport (EZE for those of you planning to book your ticket) and headed to Retiro, near the central business district, to begin discovering a city that appears to be the child of Paris and New York. Except that it is in Latin America.

After hopping off the bus, I walk across a wide avenue and am greeted by a mini replica of Big Ben, Torre de los Ingleses, a contribution from the English community to Buenos Aires in 1916, many years prior to the Falkland Islands War in 1982. Is this an omen that I will be able to get by in English and my limited Spanish?

A distinct French influence is revealed by the architecture, along with stores like Carrefour, a plethora of French banks, and a multitude of Renaults and Peugeots whizzing through the streets.

Buenos Aires is sometimes referred to as the Paris of South America. And, I almost felt like I was back in Paris. The European influences are unmistakable, especially the cathedrals and churches.

Except that it's not Paris. Definitely not. Buenos Aires has adopted the architecture of many periods which is reflected by it's growing glass and steel skyline. This was a surprise to me, as I was expecting, well something more in line with my stereotype of a Latin American country, and not the urban jungle of a population pushing 13 million people.























Like a true artist, BsAs blends marble, stone, wood, steel and glass in an architectural masterpiece, mixing new with old, and combining Pelli (arquitecto Argentino) and every style since colonial times.














Tired? I am. Here's a snapshot of my apartment for the next week, along with a view from the balcony. Sweet dreams. Suenos dulces.