Bienvenidos a Buenos

Lenay and I spent an hour to get to Lima. At the airport, I exchanged my remaining nuevo soles for american dollars. At 10.25 our flight took off, taking us over the Andes to Argentina and its jewel of a city. Lenay and I sat in row twenty six of our TACA flight. That means back of the plane, next to the bathrooms, and no reclining. Most uncomfortable chair of my life.

Our time zones jumped ahead two hours, and we landed in Buenos Aires at 4.30. The international airport is very removed from the city proper, so we shelled out eighty argentinian pesos to take a forty minute cab ride to the city. Upon recieving advice from a friend, Lenay instructed the driver to take us to PALERMO, one of the many barrios inside of the city. We found lodging at Hostel Nativo, blocks away from Avenida Santa Fe, one of the many busy avenues in the capital. Divided into dseveral neighborhoods, Palermo offers a diverse array of excursions. blocks away from my hostel is Palermo Soho, a rather bohemian neighborhood famous for the fashion, gastronomy and sawnky culture. Palermo Holywood is where all of the hip bars are located. A friend suggested LocoXFutbol. We'll be doing the traditional party until eight in the morning on thursday evening.

Through her massive red bull network, Lenay hooked us up with our new friend Emanuel, who also works for the company. Sunday night while Lenay an d I were grabbing some pizza on Santa Fe, he left us two red bulls and a map of the city. Monday morning I got a tour of Palermo Soho, his eleventh story apartment with a view of the botanical garden. This garden is special for more than its plethora of naked statues. Cats. Lots of cats, by the hundreds, live in this beautiful piece of greenspace. I was absolutely shocked, because in the rest of Latin America I'm just seeing vagrant dogs wandering the streets. As I passed through the park I noticed that the felines follow the old ladies, because those are the people that feed the creatures. Fascinating.

To comment on my initial reaction, I would have to say that shock was initial. Buenos Aires is a very different city from Cusco. I've never been to Europe, so that analogy will not be made here. What I can say though, is that I haven't been walking beneath skyscrapers, amidst all of the greenspace and parilladas. Since arriving, Lenay seems to be hypnotized by the dozens of bohemian boutiques lining the side walks. This city is enormous, with it's massive avenues and elegant buildings. Simply, it is one of the most beautiful cities I have yet to see on my trip.