Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Navidad de uno reno impresionante en Buenos Aires

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Buenos Aires

I admit to falling in love with cities. Cape Town was the most recent....the same has happened with Buenos Aires. It feels at last like being in South America. The architecture is gorgeous, it is walkable, and the people are so friendly. The men are insane, though very polite. The invisible feelings of São Paulo are long gone...marriage proposals and compliments abound here, it is hilarious. Even had a growl, much to our amusement!

The beautiful Floralis Generica

People often say that Buenos Aires feels very European. Totally! It felt like a cross between Vienna and Barcelona. The stone work was so intricate and detailed, wrought iron balconies abounded and every few blocks another impressive church appeared. There were little squares filled with statues of men on horses and the place just oozed charm.

National theatre

Street market

The Obelisk

I am glad I did a little Evita research before I came. It was nice to see some of the places she has now made famous and to understand a little of the history and legacy that she now leaves with Argentinians. We went to see her grave. Wow, what a cemetery! I could not believe how elaborate some of the statues and tombs were. 

I love that the US has the White House, and Argentina has Casa Rosado, the pink house. We went there on Sunday and got to go inside and have a lil wander. It is so beautiful. 

There was some very funny looking dressed up guards that caused us lots of giggles. 

Ana with an awesomely dressed guard!

One night we went to Cafe Tortini to watch a tango show. We were given front row seats which is a great bonus for a short sighted lady! The show began with such terrible acting, it was so cringeworthy! Thankfully the painful acting didn't last too long and the dancing was so beautiful it more than made up for it. 

Tango!

One of my favourite areas was La Boca. It is a gorgeous neighbourhood with lots of painted houses. It was so beautiful and felt really South American. It was a lovely lil area to just wander through. 

 
Onto the food.....Steak. Wow, it really is amazing. My veggie days are so far behind me..... Also loved the dulce de leche here, was a daily breakfast highlight.

Very tight dress afterwards!

Travelling with a Brazilian taught me two major things. Brazilians shop! And Brazilians pose! Haha Ana is amazing and we had great fun together, but it did mean that smiling for a photograph is no longer acceptable, and shopping is a daily event. One bonus of this was getting to see Gallerias Pacifico. It was a stunning shopping centre just off one of the main streets, with a stunning ceiling.

We found a beautiful book store inside an old theatre. People were sitting in the stalls reading, and we went and had lunch on the former stage.

Understand why I love this city?! I'll end with some classic poser shots!

Love the lady to the left!

Christmas prep

It is strange preparing for Christmas in hot weather. The last few years have always been the same but knowing that I won't be going back to the cold does make it feel different. On our last weekend together in São Paulo, we went to a lights and music show in the park. It was really fun and very pretty. Lovely to hear some English Christmas songs, as well as of course, Feliz Navidad!

Lights and music in the lake in Ibirapuera Park

Christmas concerts in school have amused me for the last few years. Tinsel and Santa hats are just not practical in boiling weather! At the end of term we had a Christmas dinner in one of our apartments, each cooking a separate part of the meal in our tiny ovens!

My lovely friends and I celebrating a British Christmas dinner together before heading in different directions

Genuine delight haha

Hats on!

Secret Santa gifts!

The New Year's Eve tradition here is to wear white. The shops are filled with white dresses! Very different from the UK. It will be interesting to see everyone dressed up. Mine is in the wardrobe ready.....