Don't Cry For Me Argentina!

February 1, 2015 - Buenos Aires

We took a few different tours, so much history and culture to take in. We've had good luck with our tour guides and some fun on our treks. Sabrina showed us around in a private tour by car, customizing it as we went, to avoid duplication and to add what was of interest to us.

Highlights included the infamous balcony of the government house palace Casa Rosada (pink) where Eva and Juan Perón made some sort of scene and numerous public addresses....hum along folks, "Don't cry for me Argentina, the truth is I never left you". We also visited her final resting place in the enormous La Recoleta Cemetery (her body went AWOL for years, was found in Italy and returned to Argentina). This was a beautifully maintained space of family mausoleums of more prominent Argentinians including the graves of notables including presidents of Argentina, Nobel Prize winners, the founder of the Argentine Navy and a granddaughter of Napoleon.

Safety

Every new city we arrive at we're warned to guard our valuables, and do. We've been lucky so far however others have not been so fortunate. We spoke to a guy (from Ottawa), who had his entire backpack stolen at knife point in Santiago (tourist area but took a back path instead of the ascensore), a woman whose necklace was ripped from her neck, again Santiago, and another who had a wallet lifted in Valparaíso just outside the port. Just this week, a Swede who lost his wallet to a low down thief at a restaurant in Rio. We felt safe in Santiago, took the LRT there, walked around with friends etc., so were somewhat surprised to hear of so many having issues but we are aware safety is definitely an issue.

Notice the blue pashmina I'm wearing, versatile, great to wrap around my waist and purse so less likely ripped off, or to look like Bonhomme Carnaval...also keeps sun off in sweltering rides atop buses! It has come in handy. I have a few with me - free travel tip.