21st June

Puerto Madryn was the only area of BA that we hadn't explored so with the promise of good weather we went to the most expensive district. There were a few famous sights this side of the rive but personally the best thing we found was a parilla (Argentina BBQ) where we had a delicious snack of BBQ meat in a lightly toasted baguette sized bun with a choice of about 20 condiments and salad none of which I have seen before. It was all delicious and a bargain price-yum yum yum. We had a look at the ecological park and walked about 10 blocks to a fountain, which on the map looked very impressive but in real life was a bit of a let down. We crossed the river via the Mujer bridge and stumbled across a big ceremony being held on the Argentine version of the Cutty Sark. Time was pressing on and we wanted to get to downtown for 3:30 where every Thursday the Grandmothers and Mothers of Plaza do Mayo march in honour of the lost children. We took in the famous monuments again and at 3:30 on the dot the women began their march. It was really moving they hold banners and pictures of their children that were taken from them, a few of them now struggle to walk but turn up each Thursday. There is also a large number of younger family members who join in the march and they chant and sing (no idea what they are singing about), most of the songs seemed to have a happy tune but overall it was a solemn affair.

I wouldn't normally bore you with tales of our commute but this was a particular gem: The Subte was always an interesting experience there were shopping opportunities on each ride with a variety of goods available to purchase, from a range of different characters. This journey was particularly memorable when a man got violently sick at our end of a very busy carriage. Everyone dived out of the way and he kept moving towards the crowd of people, now all on top of each other, in fear of getting 'sicked' on. James and I were most vulnerable with our pathetic choice of footwear, flip flops and Argy Toms stand no chance next to leather boots and trainers-gross!

22nd June

Our last full day in BA so we walked down Av Florida again but this time we went into the famous mall with a ceiling to rival the Sistine chapel (Nan-it had a No No stall, I didn't get anything, no cheaper than England!). We wandered up and down the street, had a bite to eat and headed back to Palermo to see a few more parks, Museo Evita, the planterium and one thing that we couldn't miss… The Christian Theme Park! James had seen it on Trip advisor and after Jenny resolved our argument we went on a very very long walk and eventually found it. It was worth the 2 hour walk and the blisters just for the few hilarious pictures and obviously the experience, how ridiculous!

Our last night in BA deserved a night out so we went to Plaza Serrano in Palermo for a few drinks. The atmosphere was really chilled out, lots of Argentines in casual clothes very slowly consuming beer. We stayed out until about 3:00, just enjoying people watching and a few Quilmes, and although we weren't the first to leave we were certainly not the last. They know how to nurse a drink in Argentina. Only a slightly fuzzy head for the following day when we had to catch a boat!

We both loved BA and felt like porteño's living in our own apartment and getting to know the people in the local supermarket. It was so great having our own space to relax and cook a decent meal with clean utensils. Palermo was a lovely district and despite stories from other travellers we felt comfortable and safe here (oh minus Estacion Constitucion-dodgy part). It was great to be able to speak to a few of you at home via the wonders of skype and only sharing a bathroom with James was wonderful (this is compared to sharing a bathroom with about 12 other people!).