Buenos Aires' colorful grand finale.

This was our last day in Buenos Aires. We had been planning all along to spend it in the neighborhood of San Telmo, where a Sunday market lines the streets and fills the Plaza Dorrego. We got there right when it started, at 10am, and things were just starting to come alive. We wandered the flea market and went in to a couple shops, but the main entertainment was people watching. Tourists (in weekend grubs) and locals (well dressed) starting pouring into the area, and when a sidewalk tango performance commenced, the dancing couple quickly had many spectators.

After thoroughly covering the streets of San Telmo on foot, we decided to have lunch at one of Fodor’s recommendations, La Brigada. It had the typical white tablecloths and formal waitstaff, and it seemed kind of fancy, but then it was completely decked out in sports memorabilia. We were early to arrive (as usual), but the place quickly filled up around us. I had a great mixed salad, and Steve had a steak, which was extra rare although he ordered medium. He said the meat was not good at all: tough, with no flavor. I thought Argentina was supposed to have excellent beef!? In this case, the vegetarian was happy at the steak place, and the meat eater was not! This is a rare case indeed. No pun intended. Hee hee.

From here, we took a cab to nearby La Boca neighborhood. This place is unlike the rest of Buenos Aires that we have seen. The buildings are painted in bright colors and there are several restaurants featuring tango shows for the tourists. The music from all of them collides on the street and creates a real cacophony, but the place is good fun for an hour or two. We watched some really good tango dancers, and walked along the main drag there called the Caminita, so I got what I was looking for.

Back at the apartment, I spent the whole evening making travel plans here in South America. It is nearly time to go home! And then it was time to pack, for tomorrow we are off to Patagonia.