Buenos Aires - First Impressions

After arriving at El Retiro Bus Terminal, we taxied to our apartment and I was pleasantly surprised as to the relative calm and order of Buenos Aires. It is undoubtedly large - the bus stopped about 10km outside town, and from there on in we had fairly solid apartment blocks all the way to the centre - but yet the traffic moves in an orderly fashion, and it feels far less hectic than I had imagined.

It is only upon getting out for an afternoon walk, however, that pleasant surprise is replaced by absolute delight - this city seems to be an absolute cracker. We are staying in Palermo which is undoubtedly an ´upper middle class´ area - tree lined streets, sidewalk cafes, tiled or cobblestoned sidewalks - perhaps something in the style of NW London, or (I imagine), New York.

The predominant tree is a very large, verdant, wattle-ish type specimen. At the moment it is shedding small yellow flowers which provide a beatiful golden speckling to many footpaths and grassed areas. Edie, you´d be impressed with the good number of jacarandas in bloom, and there´s also the occasional very tall palm to give the city an almost tropical feel, which is strangely at odds with how it actually is.

The pace of life here would appear ideal - people seem happy and relaxed, and no-one seems in much of a hurry to do anything. Life is simply for living. There are numerous spacious parks around, and portenos (BA residents) are only to please to utilise them for jogging, walking, and what would seem to be an almost obligatory exercise - walking the dog.

Dogs are clearly a major focus here - for those not able to walk their dogs there are services available - seeing someone walk a dozen dogs is not unusual, and on my first run I saw what would seem to be almost like ´dog kindy´ - large groups of dogs being looked after by one or two minders in the park. One watches where one steps in Buenos Aires.

The internet cafe is closing unexpectedly - siesta, one imagines. More later.