Buenos Aires Day 2: Puerto Madero, Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo

On this day we started in our neighborhood, San Telmo to try to get into an artists´studio but it wasn´t open anymore so we headed along the river to Puerto Madero. This is a pretty channel with clean, fresh air. Here we checked out a ship called the Fragata Sarmiento. This 19th century trade ship is now turned into a museum with lots of old furniture and relics from its over 30 passages around the world. They even had a stuffed dog that was one of the beloved on board pets!

Next we headed over to Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires´main square. It was founded in 1580, and is still the center of the country´s politics. Many famous protests have been held here, and their are barracades in place to separate the part with the statues and the designated protest zone. The pink building pictured with the flowers planted to look like the Argentine flag is called Casa Rodada. The country´s leaders address the nation from this building´s balconies. There are many theories as to why it is pink, the most credible being that it was the only alternative to white at the time. The color was achieved by mixing beef fat, blood and lime. Along the way back home, we stopped at a historical book shop that was opened in the mid 1800´s. They now carry modern literature, including books written by my friend´s uncle.

The day concluded with all-you-can-eat Argentine bbq at the hostel for about $8 (including beer). The steak is delicious here. Oh, and there was beer pong as well :)