My last day in Buenos Aires was probably my best day. And that’s saying a lot! I had the entire day to myself to explore one last time. It was a gorgeous day! Mid 60s and clear, crisp, blue skies. After sleeping in I headed out to a café called Oui Oui that I read about on a local food blog – www.pickupthefork.com. It was excellent. With all of the meat and potatoes I’ve been eating it was a nice change to get fresh fruit and yogurt and granola. With a fully belly, it was time to just wander and do a little shopping.
I especially wanted to go to a park I’d passed by while on the Buenos Aires Bus called Parquet Tres de Febrero. It was this gorgeous green space with a running/biking/rollerblading trail and 3 small lakes in the middle. I’d brought my book and thought I’d find a good spot and people watch, read and take advantage of the beautiful day. As soon as I walked up to this area I knew I’d picked the right place. The first cool thing I came upon was a live band. Just in the park in the middle of the day. There might have been an occasion – I’m not sure – but the park was crammed with smiling, laughing locals and tourists. This also happens to be the location of Rosedal which are the botanical gardens in the middle of the city. This area is simply stunning! So much green and acres of flowers – 18000 rose buses – and sweet gazebos and bridges and the pond in the background. While exploring I came upon some more live music. Here there was a sign for what was going on. It was an event put on by Greenpeace called Salva el Artico – which translates to Save the Arctic. The Argentinian band was singing mostly American songs but it was so neat to be part of something. So I did find a spot and laid down and people-watched and took it all it. The sun was shining down on me and warming me up, I could hear the music, children’s laughter and birds. I could even smell all of the lovely flowers. It was a peaceful, amazing time.
Hungry, I set out to find some lunch. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that my favorite days in a foreign country involve me stumbling upon something completely out of the ordinary. That’s exactly what happened next and it was freakin’ awesome! As I was leaving the park, I saw a big crowd of people dancing in the street. They just looked like they were having a blast. There was a sign nearby that said “Gratis” (free). So what did I do? I joined them! It was amazing. I danced in the street – literally – with about 60 or 70 Argentinians! We did some salsa, some jazz and even hip hop. It was just so much fun – I can’t even put it into words. We were laughing, we were sweating, we were falling all over the place and just enjoying every single moment. I will never forget it!
I’d asked Emma if she wanted to have dinner with me again and we planned to go to a typical Argentine restaurant that my teacher had recommended. I love getting recommendations from locals and this one did not disappoint. It was in the Belgrado barrio of BA on a side street and was absolutely adorable. Since it was my last night, I definitely wanted to splurge and try more local cuisine. So we shared a spicy beef empanada and a Humita empanada which was stuffed with corn and cheese and was delicious. Then I had the local dish called Locro. Cynthia – my teacher – had told us about this dish. It is very typical in BA – especially in the winter. It’s like a stew. With corn and beans and pumpkin and pieces of meat (of course). Oh, it was oh so good! That, great conversation and more Torrentes…it was a lovely dinner!
Emma had searched for a bar with some live Latin music so we were off for more fun. While at the next bar, her friend Sergio showed up with his friends. It was 1 in the morning and they were raring to go. Sergio really wanted to show Emma the city in all its after-hours glory. So we went to the famous secret bar that I was supposed to go to with Hernan on Tuesday! Frank’s Bar. I’d read about this bar and was very excited to go. The way to get into this bar – unlike the simple black door entrance of Puertouna – was through an old-fashioned telephone booth! Again, I don’t know what Sergio had to say to get us in but it worked. And again, behind this telephone booth was another trendy, stylish bar. I’m not going to lie – getting to do these great things makes me feel young and hip! Not a bad feeling for this 40-year-old. Unfortunately, we didn’t stay long because apparently the Mojitos were way too watered down. Sergio’s girlfriend definitely had to translate that conversation for me!
It was now 3 am and Sergio and his friends asked where we wanted to go next. My thought…my bed! I made the excuse that I had an early night and finally fell into my bed – with a smile on my face for the remarkable day I’d had – at 3:30 in the morning!