Another Day in Buenos Aires...

Despite the long distance, I have been fortunate enough to occasionally travel to Buenos Aires for business. No matter how many times I have visited in the past decade, I find myself exploring something new (or at least revisiting something with a better camera).

Following an overnight bus ride (13 hours) and an awful, dramatic German film along the way (new trend?), I arrived to the capital and quickly headed to my hotel. I did not have too much time for sightseeing, but I did review a few spectacular hotels. In between meetings and clients, I took advantage of both the bus system and underground subway. While waiting for the subway, and especially when crammed inside, I noticed a unique smell in the air - the subtle blend of sweat, chimichurri, and cigratee smoke. Yes...spring is in the air :)

I thought I would post a few photos to highlight some additional Buenos Aires landmarks:


El Ateneo Grand Splendid is the nation's largest bookstore, and recognized as the second most glamorous in the world (the first being a restored 800-year-old church in Holland). Along Santa Fe Avenue, one can enter this four-story libreria and browse through thousands of texts, movies, and varieties of music. The original theater was inaugurated in 1919 (with a beautifully painted ceiling by Nazareno Orlandi). The bookstore opened in 2000, using former balconies as cozy literature nooks and the former stage as a coffee shop.

Café Tortoni, now celebrating its 150th anniversary, is a trademark restaurant of the nation's capital. Inaugurated by French immigrants along Mayo Avenue in 1858, Café Tortoni still draws thousands of tourists and locals for its great food and lovely interior (which draws you back into decades of historical icons and cultural pastimes). Besides Storni and Gardel, Jorge Luis Borges was also a regular guest, enjoying a daily breakfast inside.