It is the 7th of June, and we are still in Buenos Aires.  We have made plans to fly home on the 23rd of June.  The bad news is we are not returning to South America this year.  We were planning on a brief visit at home and then return to tour Brazil, then return home for Christmas.  We now believe that that does not leave enough time to see Brazil, the way we want to. 

So we are now returning to Argentina in January, then take as much time during 2007 to see Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela as we need.  So the good news is we will be able to spend MORE time down here than originally planned.

The other good side to this decision is that we will be able to spend more time with the family.  I am also missing riding with friends.  Planning to ride the KTM rally in Elko, the "Big Dog" ride in Colorado and the Elsinore Grand Prix.

We are ready to leave, but you can only leave the bike in Argentina for 8 months, so, in order to abide with the laws of Argentina, we will travel to Uruguay for a few day, then return to Argentina.  That will allow us to leave the BMW in Argentina until January 2007.

So, as we wait to travel to Uruguay,  here are a few pictures of the last month.

We have also been posting pictures on another website (WWW.ADVRider.com).  From that site people have sent us pictures.  Our task has been to find the location and take a more current photo.  This picture is from "GatorTiger" from Atlanta, Georgia.  I believe the photo is about 20 years old.

We found the location, but due to traffic, there was no way to stand in the exact same spot.  We waited for 20 minutes for a break in traffic.  It was not going to happen, but it was still fun to find the spot.

Traffic in Buenos Aires in bad. Parking is worse! Parking this tight is very common.     (May 5, 2006)
Sandy and the narrowest home in Buenos Aires, which is appropriately known as "Casa Minima". The home is barely 2 meters wide and was a gift from a slaveholder to his freed slave.     (May 7, 2006)
On Sundays the streets of San Telmo are closed to traffic, and it turns into a street faire with entertainment. We enjoyed this group so much we went to a nightclub 2 weeks later to listen to them again. A "Orquesta Tipica" is usually a group of 4 bandoneons (related to the accordion), 3 or 4 violins, bass, cello and piano.
We visited the Buenos Aires zoo. This poor guy had a little jaw deformity.     (May 12, 2006)

The zoo was very impressive for being located in the middle of a city.

Ministry of War Building and the monument of Christopher Columbus.

The building was built in 1943, and was photographed in the 1948 book, "Fireside Travels in South America" by James Fitzpatrick.

Some restoration taking place.  The angle is not exact, but both the building and statue are visible.

The tress have grown and now block the view from the spot where the original photo was taken.

This photo was taken from a tower which used to be called "Torre de los Ingleses" (The British Tower).

The name was changed to “Torre Monumental” (Monumental Tower) after the Falklands war in 1982, but people still refer to it as the Torre de los Ingleses.

A typical building, when walking around an older part of Buenos Aires.

We attended another "Orquesta Tipica". The leader of this group is the very famous Leopoldo Federico. It was unbelievable how this 79 year old can crank a bandoneon, And I am serious!

The "Rosada Casa", the "White House" of Argentina.

A beautiful building across the street from the Rosada Casa.....

On the 21st of May, we play "Mole People", and spend the entire day underground.  The subways have ceramic art in many of the stations.  There are five major subway lines.  It took us all day to cover 2 of the lines.  Sundays is the only day you can take pictures of the murals, as during the rest of the week there are too many people at the stations to take pictures.

Many of the examples are related to the music of Buenos Aires.

This mural represents one of the most famous musicians of Argentina, Astor Pizzolla (1921-1992)

A tribute to Carlos Gardel, another historic figure in Argentine music.

"Subway Art"

Sandy, contemplating "Why?" she is spending a day "Underground"!

View from the train.

Some have said the subways are dangerous.  The subways seemed safe to us. 

Maybe the criminals take Sundays off!

Visited the movies and saw X-Men.  After the movie Sandy said she had to visit the restroom. While she was in the restroom, I went outside and met this neat boy, who was playing in the empty boxes.  I suggested , for a few pesos, that he hide in the box and remain very still, and that when a redheaded lady comes by, that he yell "Booooo" at the lady. It worked......  Sandy needed no coffee for the next few hours, to stay alert!     (May 26, 2006)

As I have stated before, I have started to get stir crazy living in the city.  It has been cold, the leaves are changing, and I need to get out of town.  On the 28th of May, we head west to the small village of San Antonio de Areco, which is bidding for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.  It is the unofficial gaucho capital of Argentina.  San Antonio de Areco is located about 100 miles from Buenos Aires. 

We LOVED it! We, again, felt like we were on a "Trip" again, seeing new things and different cultures. A meal was being prepared in the park for a wedding.
I feel revitalized getting out of the city. I belong in colonial villages.
Church on the town square of San Antonio de Areco.

Instead of heading back to Buenos Aires, we decide to spend a night at a "Estancia" (ranch).  The first ranch we rode to was closed.  But I loved the ride, because I was, again, riding dirt roads.  We finally find another Estancia named "Estancia El Ombu de Areco".  We were told it was $220.00 (US) per night.  I little on the steep side.  Stay here or head back to Buenos Aires?  It took 1/4 second to make the decision.  I needed a break from the City.

This was our greeter.

The hat and face say it all!

This ranch was the estate of General Pablo Ricchieri (1959 to 1936). The place was impeccable.
We checked into our room and received a glass of wine and a few empanadas. Sandy does not drink, so I threw down 2 glasses of wine in 10 minutes.
15 Minutes later we are told it is time for lunch. Sandy, checking out the outdoor kitchen and cooks.
And on our table is a bottle of wine. Sandy, again, does not drink.  It looks like I have a job to do.
I was up to it.... Hey.... This stuff is good!

Five minutes after finishing lunch (and 1 bottle and 2 glasses of wine), we are asked if we want to go riding? 

I ask..."What, you have dirt bikes here?

I then receive that "What are you thinking look?"

We are then informed that they have horses.

I said sure, and off we go...... Until I stand up and realized that I may have answered the question to quickly.

I am now thinking is it safe to "Drink and Ride".......

I was loaded on the horse (I don't remember getting on).  Sandy is grinning at my swaying.

I know I should be napping, but I am now riding a horse on the Argentine Pampas. So I start laughing, then realize.... I need to pee. I also realize that I do not know how to get off a horse, let alone, get back on the horse.

Sandy though may "circumstances" were funny.  She is laughing at me, not with me!

Short refueling stop.

Sandy, continuing to laugh at my instability.

An hour of enjoyable torture. Ranch and restroom are now only 1/4 mile away.

On Monday, the 29th of May we get up and walk the ranch.  The guys in the background do not know how much I have been enjoying their relatives at the dinner table.  I have fallen in love with "Pepper Steaks".  We have been eating way to well!

A quick breakfast at the ranch, then back on the bike.

Hate to head back to the city, but it is time to leave.

That's it through the end of May, 2006.

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