No surprise

Why am I not surprised by what my first day had to offer…?!? That’s why I’m here, after all!

Within the first hour of stepping out into the street I had become part of a massive march on the way to the Palacio del Congreso, ánd I met a Peruvian poet who humbly invited me to have his table at a coffee shop as he had finished. We started talking, and he jokingly invited me to attend a reading he and 2 other poets are presenting tomorrow evening. Of course I’ll attend, even if I don’t understand a word, the music of poetry can be appreciated by all.

The march was peaceful, and from what I gathered it seemed to be political. The Palacio del Congreso is the federal government office and the plaza in front of it is a popular place for protests and gatherings. On this Sunday, 11th August, there are primary elections for two opposing political parties and the result could be influential in the presidential elections in November. There were hordes of Barrios de Pie banners, which is a socialist movement fighting for the poor and unemployed. I stood amongst the hundreds, or even thousands, of people for a while, savouring the feelings, activities and smells. There was an almost festive atmosphere, and opportunists were selling food and snacks. People had become tired and were sitting down, waiting for something to happen. Two things became evident: all the women have long hair, and no-one wears sunglasses. Needless to say, I was nót inconspicuous, as I have very short hair and cannot go without sunglasses. And I was carrying my book on Argentina, consulting it regularly to identify buildings. I was even taking sneak photo’s. Really, do I háve to be so touristy!

(This last one caught me out, as you can see!).

The Plaza de Mayo is the symbolic heart of Buenos Aires and directly opposite the Plaza del Congresso. The most prominent building there is the Casa Rosada (pink house), also known as the presidential palace. It’s distinctive pink colour is as result of ox-blood being mixed with lime – ugh! It is from that balcony that the beloved Eva Perón addressed her followers.

The Cathedral Metropolitana is another one of the impressive buildings surrounding the plaza. And of course another happening surprised me as I was admiring all the beautiful things inside – there was a ceremony of sorts (I really háve to learn Spanish!) with officials, dressed-up soldiers and changing of guards at the entrance to the mausoleum where the remains of Argentinian Independence hero José de San Martin is kept. The organ accompanied a chorus and a service started, adding to my deep felt gratitude and enjoyment.

One little hitch occurred. On my way home I bought some groceries to cook supper and, what I assúmed to be, a bottle of wine. Well, I don’t know if yóú know what Italian Fernet is (it was specially priced and cheap), but one taste and I happily hid the bottle in the deep-freeze for someone else to find after I leave. It’s a herby liquer, supposedly good for the stomach and evidently very popular in Argentina, mixed with coke. It has made them one of the biggest consumers of Coca-Cola in the world, according to Wikapedia (of course I had to Google the vile stuff). Maybe I should go and buy a bottle of coke…