From Scalabrini Ortiz to the Catedral and Back

Hi Folks:

Today I finally made it downtown, no photos though. Walked my legs off. Need to get a copy of a map up. Basically, walked the several blocks down to my subte stop (Scalabrini Ortiz, also the name of the street I live on), took the subte to the end of the line, "Catedral", got out, walked the famous Florida (shopping, pedestrian zone), and did manage to find some cheapish, cooler cotton slacks. Hit the Plaza San Martin where Florida ends, hung a left and walked the Av. Libertador all the way back to Scalabrini Ortiz. Hot sun. Long, long walk. But it is walkable.

So I wasn't especially impressed with the main artery "Florida". It's crowded and dirty and narrower than the zonas peatonales in Santiago (which are very nice). Sure, there's some magnificent architecture, but who has an opportunity to stop and admire with the human wave tossing you about? Do have to say that everyone was helpful at the shops, even when I misplaced my keys in what was a near BT-Disaster. From what I understand the cross streets are little calmer and nicer. Tomorrow I hit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes -- admission is free and it's close enough I can do my DC, London National Gallery routine -- go see beautiful art and have a coffee or two when I need a break. It's a little hot now, but in the Fall the walk will be an added bonus.

Will pick up my hopefully not too shrunken laundry domani.

Just finished making a nice pasta salad, which I hope will last the week. Olives, hearts of palm, fresh onions, mozzarella. Something cool and filling to munch on. Also purchased my old reliable black olive paste today -- you all know the routine, right? When travelling always pack bread and a small jar of olive paste. In a pinch it's a wonderful snack or meal that will see you through a couple days hard travel. It's what I packed all through Bolivia and lived on for a couple of days in La Paz.

And to S and G, my favorite DC denizens, who out of solidarity will be heading to Mardi Gras end of the month and going to a Tulane Basketball game, give the old place a hug for me.

(Why didn't you give Bono one for me too? I'm hurt.)

B.