Jan 18
Leave for the Lake boat crossing at 8am, and after 3 buses and 3 ferries, we arrive at our hotel in Bariloche at 10pm. Way too long! We were going to stay at a great resort called Llao Llao but it is 30 minute cab ride out of town, so we decided to stay at a Jr suite at the Design Suite Hotel, with wood floors, great lake and mt view, and a jacuzzi in our room. Went to dinner at 11pm.Jan 18 Leave for the Lake boat crossing at 8am, and after 3 buses and 3 ferries, we arrive at our hotel in Bariloche at 10pm. Way too long! We were going to stay at a great resort called Llao Llao but it is 30 minute cab ride out of town, so we decided to stay at a Jr suite at the Design Suite Hotel, with wood floors, great lake and mt view, and a jacuzzi in our room. Went to dinner at 11p
Jan 20
Arrive in Buenos Aires and stay at the Loi Suites Hotel in great location, room and service. Sharon and I walk to the Cemetary where many famous people are buried in connected, architectually designed marble masoleums. Looks like wealthy neighborhood of small townhomes. Then on to artisian outdoor market, where we ran into a couple we met at Explora in Torres Del Paine who are coincidentally are staying at our hotel , and another couple we met on the Lake crossing. After making plans to get together, Sharon and I return to our hotel for a needed nap and on to dinner in the Polermo Soho area.
Read in magazine http://www.soybuenosaires.com/ for info on what to do here
Jan. 21
Our guide Natalia takes us for a half day tour of Buenos Aires. There are 39 mil people in Argentina, of which 15 mil live in Buenos Aires and the surrounding suburbs (3 and 1/2 mil in city). Argentina is a Catholic country, but has the 5th largest Jewish community in the world. Inflation and unemployment are a problem. There is a strong French and Italian architectual influence from the 1920-1940. The wealthy people were the landowners, and exporters of wheat and meat.
Leave for the Lake boat crossing at 8am, and after 3 buses and 3 ferries, we arrive at our hotel in Bariloche at 10pm. Way too long! We were going to stay at a great resort called Llao Llao but it is 30 minute cab ride out of town, so we decided to stay at a Jr suite at the Design Suite Hotel, with wood floors, great lake and mt view, and a jacuzzi in our room. Went to dinner at 11pm.Jan 18 Leave for the Lake boat crossing at 8am, and after 3 buses and 3 ferries, we arrive at our hotel in Bariloche at 10pm. Way too long! We were going to stay at a great resort called Llao Llao but it is 30 minute cab ride out of town, so we decided to stay at a Jr suite at the Design Suite Hotel, with wood floors, great lake and mt view, and a jacuzzi in our room. Went to dinner at 11p
Jan 20
Arrive in Buenos Aires and stay at the Loi Suites Hotel in great location, room and service. Sharon and I walk to the Cemetary where many famous people are buried in connected, architectually designed marble masoleums. Looks like wealthy neighborhood of small townhomes. Then on to artisian outdoor market, where we ran into a couple we met at Explora in Torres Del Paine who are coincidentally are staying at our hotel , and another couple we met on the Lake crossing. After making plans to get together, Sharon and I return to our hotel for a needed nap and on to dinner in the Polermo Soho area.
Read in magazine http://www.soybuenosaires.com/ for info on what to do here
Jan. 21
Our guide Natalia takes us for a half day tour of Buenos Aires. There are 39 mil people in Argentina, of which 15 mil live in Buenos Aires and the surrounding suburbs (3 and 1/2 mil in city). Argentina is a Catholic country, but has the 5th largest Jewish community in the world. Inflation and unemployment are a problem. There is a strong French and Italian architectual influence from the 1920-1940. The wealthy people were the landowners, and exporters of wheat and meat.
We visit Puerto Modero, the newest area where at least a 1000 expensive apt are being built. Much of the development in this area is being done by an investment group lead by Alan Faena, an Argentinean clothes designer. We stopped by the very exclusive Faena Hotel. This was a working class neighborhood since the 30´s and is still used as their weekend recreation area. We also drive through the Barrio Park area of the rich and famous. In the evening we go to an expensive Tango show which we mildly enjoy (terrible food).
Jan 22
Swim. Take Jewish tour of Buenos Aires. There are approx 250,000 Jews, which is the largest in Latin America, and the 5th largest in the world. While Arentina was a Spanish Colony and during the Inquisiton, no Jews were allowed in Argetina. After 1816 when Argentina gained its independence, mostly professional western European Jews began to immigrate. During the dictatorship between 1976-1983, 30,000 activists, intellectuals and leftists were murdered, of which 1500 were Jewish. Even though the country accepting of many minorites, there continues to be anti semitism in the police force.
Not until 1994 could Jews gain full citizenship including run for president (prior to this had to be Catholic). Life changed for Jews after the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Center where 85 people were killed. No one was ever charged with this crime, and for 10 years on Mondays at 9:53am (the day and time of the bombing) families of those killed demonstrated in front of the Federal Court Building where there is a small memorial today with the 85 names on it.
Due to tight security, it is prohibited to take pictures in front of any Jewish temples, schools, or community centers. Our guide had to make an appt for us to see the inside of the beautiful 1930´s Gran Temple, where he is a member, aka Paso Street Temple(temples here are called by the name of the street they are located on). It's membership includes only about 200 families, but is a popular venue for weddings. We visited several jewish neighborhoods, saw the outside of the impressive Libertal St Synagogue, and drove by the only Kosher Mc Donalds in BA. (closed Saturdays) During the financial crisis in 2001, many Jews lost their livelihoods and were assisted by Jewish Agencies from all over the world.
Jan 22
Swim. Take Jewish tour of Buenos Aires. There are approx 250,000 Jews, which is the largest in Latin America, and the 5th largest in the world. While Arentina was a Spanish Colony and during the Inquisiton, no Jews were allowed in Argetina. After 1816 when Argentina gained its independence, mostly professional western European Jews began to immigrate. During the dictatorship between 1976-1983, 30,000 activists, intellectuals and leftists were murdered, of which 1500 were Jewish. Even though the country accepting of many minorites, there continues to be anti semitism in the police force.
Not until 1994 could Jews gain full citizenship including run for president (prior to this had to be Catholic). Life changed for Jews after the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Center where 85 people were killed. No one was ever charged with this crime, and for 10 years on Mondays at 9:53am (the day and time of the bombing) families of those killed demonstrated in front of the Federal Court Building where there is a small memorial today with the 85 names on it.
Due to tight security, it is prohibited to take pictures in front of any Jewish temples, schools, or community centers. Our guide had to make an appt for us to see the inside of the beautiful 1930´s Gran Temple, where he is a member, aka Paso Street Temple(temples here are called by the name of the street they are located on). It's membership includes only about 200 families, but is a popular venue for weddings. We visited several jewish neighborhoods, saw the outside of the impressive Libertal St Synagogue, and drove by the only Kosher Mc Donalds in BA. (closed Saturdays) During the financial crisis in 2001, many Jews lost their livelihoods and were assisted by Jewish Agencies from all over the world.
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