Recoleta

Recoleta is the largest "barrio" aka neighborhood de Buenos Aires. The streets flaunt the classical wealth and elegance along with the latest fashions and European-style mansions with Neoclassical facades and fancy ironwork. Impressive, to say the least. We strolled all around the area and with each corner we turned, approached another fascinating sight.
We vistited el Cementerio de la Recoleta which is home to La Recoleta's most famous resident, Evita, or Eva Peron, who is the second wife of President Juan Peron and one of Argentina's most enduring figures. After leaving the cementario which Lesley constantly referred to as the "cemeNtary" en English (perhaps she is forgetting ENGLISH), we made our way over to el Centro Cultural Recoleta y Buenos Aires Design. I walked up to the guard acting like I was a "Porteno" and he clearly noticed the attempt ( perhaps the red-hair, sunburn and accent??!!!), called me out and SLOWLY explained how the joint was "gratis" and he would love to take a picture of us...Thank-you, Sir.

It was an amazing venture as we cruised room after room of modern art and such. However, as often is the case in the world of abstract and modern art, we tried hard to appreciate the exhibits, yet at the same time wondered how their art was any better than my 1st grade students finger paintings...all while rushing through las salas and knowing that we were hosting our first dinner party at nuestra casa and better make a good impression...as always, go team :)

Anyhoo, on the way home we ran by un mercado and purchased bottles of vino tinto for OVER a dollar in the USA. Good call. After the experience with the VERY CHEAP (85 cents/bottle equivalent) yesterday, we have decided to "splurge" from our $5/day limit and be true hosts. I love to entertain and we were not to fail our first time around :)
Anyhoo, life is getting better by the day. Locations are becoming more familiar and the HUGE city is growing on us. Our intense sunburns from yesterday are fading and the vino is becoming more common in name...what and what-not to purchase...
As we pass fashion boutique after boutique, we remind ourselves of what we already have and that we are here for the experience of living in another cultura, not the fashion aspect...which is hard at times :) I have found, tried on and am "planning" on buying a new pair of kicks... Grey leather high-tops with 3 rows of velcro....may sound hideous, but are pretty amazing. Just wait :) Shoes and jeans are my weakness in life...hahahhaha! At the same time, we are thinking of collaborating on a book titled, "how to live in BA on less than $5/day." Wish us luck as we continue to explore, embrace la cultura, experience the unknown and live life outside of the USA...as always, much love