Argentina and Uruguay (2/11/08-2/18/08)

Itinerary: Argentina and Uruguay (2/11/08-2/18/08)
2/12/08-2/13/08: Argentina (Buenos Aires-San Telmo)
2/13/08-2/14/08: Argentina (Iguazu)
2/14/08-2/15/08: Uruguay (Montevideo)
2/15/08-2/18/08: Argentina (Buenos Aires-Palermo Viejo)

I flew into Buenos Aires from LA (was there for a wedding), and met up with my buddy Josh who flew down from NYC. We were supposed to meet on connecting flights in DC, but Josh got switched from United to American due to a delay at NYC – luckily we both arrived into Buenos Aires more or less around the same time. We had a jam-packed 1-week itinerary, but in the end felt we had our fill of sights and activities... dining was excellent and cheap, 'bout 1/3 what we pay here... taxi rides anywhere around town were easy and cheap as well.

We spent the first night in the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires. We wandered around the area most the day, and watched an excellent tango show at the El Viejo Almacen in the evening. Next, we headed off to Iguazu. That evening we caught a South American variety show/buffet dinner on the Brazilian side of the falls – cheesy, touristy, but fun. We spent the next day roaming around Iguazu and getting doused (under the survivable smaller falls) during the water adventure ride. Next, we flew to Montevideo, where we strolled around town and I had steak overload at Mercado del Puerto (the Port Market), along with a glass of medio y medio (champagne mixed with white wine).

On Friday, we headed back to Buenos Aires for the weekend. Where other cities claim to start late, Buenos Aires actually does; we often started dinner past 11pm, and clubs don't start till 1am - and were very impressive by international standards. Friday night was spent at "Palacio" and Saturday night at "Amerika." At "Amerika" there was a big crowd of guys from the Atlantis Cruise ship, so it was pretty festive.

Some highlights around Buenos Aires were wandering around the Recoleta cemetery and surrounding handicraft market, the San Telmo antique fair, Botanical Jardin, La Boca neighborhood, Malba museum, visiting the local sauna, meals around Palermo neighborhood (where we stayed) and a wonderful late afternoon spent at Tierra Santa, the world's first religious theme park, located next to the local airport – it was kitsch heaven.

ARGENTINA AND URUGUAY PHOTO LINK
VIDEO: EL VIEJO ALMACEN TANGO
VIDEO: IGUAZU DEVIL'S THROAT