Buenos Aires - First Day

My first full day in Buenos Aires started with another roommate (Steve) missing from the bedroom when I awaken. Apparently my snoring is a real problem, which would explain the fact that I never feel rested and keep falling asleep even in exciting lectures. As I got ready, I noticed a few ants in the bathroom.

The law school we attend in Buenos Aires is huge. You know Super Mario Brothers? You know that world where everything is giant for no reason? It is that huge. Here see...



I couldn't even get it all in one shot, and it is right next to this huge sculpture. I think it is an alien satellite transponder, apparently it closes at night.



After scaling several flights of steps to reach the top of the enormous building we finally reached a classroom with desks from a junior high school. We all crowded into the classroom. The morning sun shines into this tight little lecture hall through windows strategically placed above the blackboard by sadistic peronista architects. As we bathed in warm light and listened to the hypnotic sing-songy latin voice rise and fall...*snores*

At least I only dropped my papers once, but I came close several times. Less embarrassing than falling out of my chair at the US Embassy in Santiago, but not by much.

Anyway, class ended and then we had a long lunch at Modena Design, an italian place across the street from the law school with lots of Ferraris and such. Some people found better things to do than eat...



We then went to the Casa Rosada. The Casa Rosada is where the president works (not where he lives). We were so late for our tour that it was truncated to ten minutes and hence we only got to see the Patio de Las Palmas, the Bust Gallery and the White Room (where they hold swearing in ceremonies and receive dignitaries.) The security well imagine a rabid Hector Elizondo with a bad toupee and slightly shorter, following us, especially me the straggler (fat people walk slow) around the building like we were going to take something. He violently and rudely wagged his finger and glared at us. He insisted on no pictures except in the Patio (I really wish I got a picture of him, but I suspect that would have got me arrested). So here are my pictures. It's ashame, I really liked the White Room and would love a picture of the bust of Peron.


Casa Rosada with Rioters


Casa Rosada without Rioters


Spy Cameras, I would have put them in the statutes.



I would put them in the birdnests too.


Nice Patio.


Hi!.
My favorite part of the day had to be the Director of the program acting as our tour guide to the Boca neighborhood and Calle Caminito.

Of course, I ran out of space on my camera. But I found a real neat flickr folder with pictures of Boca in summer. Imagine it like that without the Tango dancers and colder. I will see if anyone else who came there with me took pictures they will lend for the cause.

After that, I did housekeeping, money changing, laundry, dinner, fighting off beggars and barkers, a trip to the pharmacy and this blog, now I'm tired and need bed. But wait, I have to go slay a thousand ants or so.