South America and Antartica: Buenos Aires Wed and Thursday February 9,10,2011

Buenos Aires
Yesterday we took a private tour our guide's name was Dario and he was fantastic. He told us that the Argentin people have spanish blood and Italian Spirit. He saw so much in a few hours thanks to our incredible driver Daniel. He would let us out and wait while we walked around. We saw the "Pink House" This is the Government house where Eva Peron stood on the balcony and spoke to the Argentina people right before she died. He also told us. People either loved Evita or hated her. She did alot for the poor she created a middle class. He said his Grandfather came from the Ukraine and he was a furniture maker it was just him. Evita made him make 500 chairs to give to the poor. He did not make any money for a couple of weeks and could not feed his family but he had no choice! We then went to this coffee shop Cafe Tortoni that has been exinstence since 1858 it was so neat. We sat had coffee, hot chocolate and the best chocolate mousse cake I have ever had. Dario showed us on the map all the places to visit today and places to eat and shop. We headed then all around town and they took us to what in NY would probably be the Village. It was neat. We learned to TANGO~ We went to a part of town that has all the antique shops and markets it was neat. The butcher markets were not open they did not open till 5pm after this we went to the Ricoletta Cemetary where all the famous people are buried. Our tour guide said this is our last stop and we all started to laugh thought it was quite witty. All too soon we were back at the hotel in time for a rest before out dinner. Dario made reservations for us at a famous Beef Steak house called La Campana for 8:30. We took a taxi as it was on the other side of town. The waiter was great he suggested that Bill and I split the TBone steak it is 32.5 oz. They start you off with rolls and bread with a chutney tomato spread which was really good. then hey came out with Empanadas. Wow were they good. then our steak came and the pictures are below. Now I know why Clinton ate here! Now those of you on FB know that I went to the bank atm to get some pesos and it would not give me money so I had to call the 800 number for the bank. Well it seems that someone went into a Chase bank in Astoria, New York presented himself as Bill and withdrew $3800 from our account with fake ID. Now the bank in their infinite wisdom has frozen our account and when I asked them why I was told "Its for your protection" My protection would have been before a thief stole my money, Now to add insult to injury they will not release any funds. I told them I was in a foreign country with no money and they kept telling me
"It's for your protection" BULLSHIT !!!!! excuse my french but I am so angry right now I am ready to kill someone. Now I find out they are bouncing checks and didn't pay my mortgage or any of the other automatic withdrawals I have. HOW CAN A BANK GET AWAY WITH THIS. Monday right after my EKG I am heading there and I swear it is going to feel like an earthquake all over the country. I am going to the banking commssion I am even calling the tv station. I went into the bank before I left they know me in the bank I was withdrawing $2500 and I still had to show two forms of ID and THEY KNOW ME!!!!!!!! I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE TELLER WAS IN ON IT. HEADS WILL ROLL. Okay I feel a little better now. So below are some pictures

Hang out for artist "Order of the Screw"

more of the Cafe all kinds of antiques

We learn to Tango

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Entrance to Cemetary

Me and Dario in front of Evita's grave

3rd balcony where Eva Peron sang Don't cry for me Argentina

monument given by British

Eva Peron's grave

my roses

Us at La Campana Steak house. Clinton ate here

our 32.5 our TBone steak

my portion

One cow to another!

Today we went to a leather shop that Dario told us was Samantha Brown's favorite shop. I got the most beautiful brown leather swing coat and Bill got some kind of leather jacket. (My casino winnings). We then headed to the Evita Museum. It was in an old house and nice but not that much. They had some of the clothes she wore and showed videos of the movies she made and her funeral and of course her farewell speech. Don't cry for me Argentina. After that we headed to Florida street which is a pedestrian mall and all the shops and shopping mall are there. We walked around I found a great green leather purse but it was way way too expensive so I didn't get it. We had lunch and Bill headed down a few more blocks to get a Gaucho buckle and belt! Nothing to buy for the kids so we headed to our hotel. Our hotel is located in the best section of the city we have Louis Vuitton across the street and Rolex next door and all the shops on Avenue de Alevear are exclusive. It is like Madison Ave in NY and this hotel is like the Hotel Pierre. We have butler service! They brought me beautiful roses when we checked in Lovely, lovely hotel. Great city. I can't beleive that I really like it here. They call Buenos Aires the Paris of South America. I think it is a combination of Paris and New York. And I will be back! tomorrow we will sleep in back (had to buy a new suitcase he others are stuffed~ we have tea here at the hotel and then we will leave for the airport. We will arrive in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon~~~~~~~~ so here are some pictures