Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Tango

  • Dec. 27, 2022 – Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America 🇦🇷

    Dec. 27, 2022 – Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America 🇦🇷

    First, the unfortunate news…as I was taking off last evening from ATL, I thought Laura was taking off from DFW. When I landed, I found out she was still there! They were on the runway, started to take off, and the pilot aborted due to a problem with the landing gear. And then the crew timed out. So…the flight was rescheduled for today at noon. I am happy to report that she is finally in the air and 4 hours away! She, along with the other passengers on her flight that happen to be on our expedition, will stay at the airport when they arrive at 1:30 am. We will be there by 5:30 am for our flight to the “end of the world”. Although she missed the day in Buenos Aires, she will make it in time for the flight to Ushuaia! I am so excited to see Laura and give her a big hug—talk about an unexpected adventure!

    I checked into the hotel in Buenos Aires mid morn. Instead of exploring by myself, I spent the day with my new friend, Hayley. We met last night before we boarded in ATL and the irony is that her friend/travel companion is on the same flight as Laura! Hayley is an incredible person—Physician Assistant at St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and an astronaut on SpaceX’s first private space flight, Inspiration4. I was fortunate to see some of her videos today—have to admit, I am a little star struck. What an inspiration! If you have the opportunity, check out her book, Wild Ride: A Memoir of I.V. Drips and Rocket Ships, https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/575052/?refId=48646&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4NiRh5Gb_AIVGT-RCh0epAD1EAAYASAAEgLcf_D_BwE

    She and her friend (also on Inspiration4), Dr. Sian Proctor, will be speaking on our expedition. Check out Hayley Arceneaux’s Instagram here (you will see more pics from today): https://instagram.com/hayleyarc?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=

    For only 1 day in Buenos Aires, we nailed it! The town is still celebrating from the World Cup win and signs of this are visible everywhere. Here was our agenda today: La Recoleta Cemetery (where Evita Peron is buried); a walking tour through Free Walks to learn about the city center, the culture, and history of Argentine politics; La Boca Barrio (neighborhood); dinner with some tango entertainment; and a chocolate caliente as a night cap. Whew!

    Hayley and me in La Boca Barrio – this is quite the colorful neighborhood full of artisans, food, and tango!
    This is La Recoleta Cemetery—to say it’s the most amazing cemetery I have ever seen would be a true statement!
    La Recoleta sits on 14 acres and contains over 4690 vaults. They are all above ground. Almost 100 are National Historical Monuments
    Eva “Evita” Peron’s vault.
    Empanadas! Definitely a must.
    Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada in the background (where the President of Argentina goes to work). Plaza de Mayo is representative of political life in Buenos Aires and commemorates the 1810 May Revolution, which started their process towards independence from Spain in 1816. This plaza has been the site of many protests —including a weekly protest since 1977 where The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have met with pictures of their missing children. These children were those who “disappeared” in the Dirty War.
    Tango! A traditional dance originated in the late 1800s along the Rio de la Plata between Argentina & Uruguay.
    So reminds me of my time in Espana. I miss Fanta Naranja y limon!