viernes 16.05 --- Salimos la ciudad --- Leaving the Big City

We got off to a late start out of Buenos Aires. Out of the Hilton by noon we revisited Florida Street and picked up my brother’s leather jacket, which had been modified to fit him better. After that we headed back towards the hotel (because our bus was to leave at 14:15 from El Retiro. We arrived at a pizza place along the way. Argentina’s pizza is very different form that of the United States. The country is known for its large Italian population, something exemplified in its pizza and wine. The pizza is not like American pizza as we know it but rather European. It is heavier on cheese and toppings and lighter on tomato sauce. Also, for those unaware, on every other country pizza is eaten with a knife and fork, not by hand. If were to consume a pizza in the American fashion, they would be gawked at.

In a hurry, we sped back towards the hotel by way of side streets the intersected perpendicularly to the bigger Flórida Street. We also crossed el puente de la mujer. It is a bridge that crosses over from the main city to Puerto Madero and is said to resemble a tango dancer holding a woman for a lower embrace. We were packed by 13:30 and made our way to El Retiro via taxi. We had a long goodbye with our father. As we watched him from our seats atop the double decker bus we waved and watched my father disappear in the distance. Steven and I realized now, we were alone.

Our bus ride was only four hours and it went by quickly. Argentina has a remarkable bus system. We rode on the Chevallier line which is supposed to be the best in the country. We reclined comfortably in our seats, read for a bit and got lost in the infinite countryside. We experienced a typical event, a protest. The farmers have been at unrest in the country for several months now. We zoomed by a crowd of angry proletariat workers and three or four tractors that sport the Argentine flag. I could only catch one banner. It read ¿Dónde está Scioli? I would later learn the Scioli was the governor of the province and his presence was requested by these protesters to settle the dispute.

Argentina's Endless Plain.

We ventured onward to Rosario and arrived at 18:30. The bus station was much smaller and thinking it safer to purchase tickets to Córdoba sooner than later, we did. Unfortunately, Chevallier was unavailable and we took a lesser known company called Sierras de Córdoba. Our bus leaves at 08:30 on Sunday. We caught a cab to Hostel Rosarinos 938 and checked in. The hostel is pleasant and located in the direct center of the city. This would prove very convenient for Steven and I. We found a small sandwich shop and had a bite to eat.

Steven in front of the hostel.

We were pretty beat from the bus ride and willing to call it a night when we encountered some more Americans. Figuring that English speakers would be a commodity this trip, we decided to go out with them. After trudging through the downtown area for twenty minutes, we turned around and visited a bar which was right next to the hostel. It was a pool bar so we had some drinks and played a game. We chatted about our impressions of the country and all were favorable. At 01:00 we grew tired and headed back to the hostel. Retiring for the evening, I went to bed happy we made it to our first city in one piece and with ease. The adventure had only just begun.

Taking a break after the bus ride.