One of the highlights of being in Buenos Aires was visiting Lincoln and Alisia's mission president's family, la famila Wajchman. Even though Lincoln was only with the Wajchman's for one week in the mission, they treated him like family. (They even brought out all the records and pictures they had of Lincoln and his last interview goals he had written down when he left. He was also able to sign the "Sons of Helaman" picture they have hanging in their home that all the missionaries had signed). The Wajchman family is one of the most loving families we have both met. Alisia was trying to hold back tears most of the time she was there, because of the love she felt for this family and everything they had done for her. It was a great visit.
La Flia Wajchman
Presidente y Hermana Wajchman
We also visited the Buenos Aires Temple. We went to the temple with one of Alisia's old mission companions, Herman Edith Condori. It was great to see her again and catch up.
The back of the temple
Hna. Condori on the right
The front of the Temple
The Temple as we drove to the airport at night
Our wonderful hosts in Buenos Aires were Megan and Neil. We stayed at their lovely apartment the entire time we were in BA. Megan and Neil are friends from DC who are currently in the Foreign Service and very much enjoying living in Argentina. They were really great. They even invited to one of their foreign service parties where we got to try some of the best cheese in Argentina (according to Frenchman, and they're supposed to know their cheese). We also went to a really tasty restaurant with Megan and Neil while we were there.
Megan & Neil on the left. We sat right in front of the grill and watched the food cook. It was awesome.
Here are some pics of some streets of Buenos Aires (too bad we didn't get any pictures of the dogs of Buenos Aires wandering the streets)
Of course, while in Argentina we had to have some more of Alisia's favorite helado: Tramontana and Coco. Lincoln was happy with his mint chocolate chip.
Ice cream = soo good!
We visited the Cathedral where San Martin is buried. San Martin was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.
The subway in Buenos Aires was beautiful. They still use some of the original cars with all the original wood. The best part is that you have to open the doors yourself to get in and out when the trian comes to a stop.
We went on a walking tour of the city. It was fantastic. Mostly because it was in English, and it was FREE. We both loved to hear the history of the Country and to learn more about their political system.
Argentine Captiol Building: only open on Wednesdays-what a great job that would be!
Graffiti on a National Monument
The tour guide told us about Cafe Tortoni, one of the oldest, and most famous, coffee shops in Argentina. Its the place where everyone who's anyone has to stop by some time. Even Albert Einstein had stopped by.
Alisia adored the architecture and the original furnishings, including the chairs and tables...
Stain glass ceiling
Old school chair
The most famous drink at Cafe Tortoni is the Submarino: warm milk, a chocolate bar and some cookies. You dip the chocolate bar in the milk and stir it around until it melts and makes hot chocolate. It was delicious.
Random guy we met on the tour stirring the chocolate bar into the milk
Warm and fuzzy on the inside, empty cup on the outside
We look like professional hot chocolate drinkers here
On the walking tour, our guide pointed out the house on top of the buildings downtown. It was originally build by the owner so he would have a place to go to take the "siesta."
Close up of the house built on a roof
Another famous stop we made on the tour was the Casa Rosada ("Pink House"). It's the executive building for Argentina. Not sure why they made it pink though.
Ali looking good in front of the Casa Rosada. The patio on the left is where Evita (and Madonna in "Evita") would come out side and talk to the common-folk.
In front of the Casa Rosada is the Plaza 25 de Mayo, celebrating Argentina's independence day.
Monument in the center of the plaza, where the people met
Cabildo: building where important independence meetings were held
La Plaza de 25 de Mayo
Random building
Another building in BA
As you can see the architecture here is very European
Monument to Roca, a president of Argentina
Trinkets for sell
Palacio Barolo: this was built because at one point it was thought it would be a mausoleum for Dante (the same Dante that wrote the
The Divine Comedy or
Dante's Inferno). The building has all kinds of symbolism that corresponds to
The Divine Comedy such as: 100 feet tall = 100 cantos of the poem; three distinct section representing Hell, Purgatory and Heaven; 9 vaults in the entryway representing the 9 hierarchies of Hell; and each floor has 11 or 22 offices just as most of the poem's cantos have 11 or 22 stanzas.
The final stop on the tour was
El Obelisco. It's one of the most famous monuments in BA. It was built for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city.
Looks like BA has phantom problems too
Mmm, empanadas...
Of course we couldn't leave Buenos Aires without seeing some Tango. We caught these dancers on the peatonal as we shopped for jewelry. :).
Well that's a wrap. We had an absolute blast in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay! It could be a very long time before we ever go back, but it was worth every penny. Even the extra $700 to fix the rental car that we dinged up. :(. Hope you enjoyed our pics.
