GE 2018: Don’t Cry for Me Argentina (Day 2) and Uruguay

Buenos Aires Day 2 was even wetter than Day 1.  Unrelenting pouring rain. But we were not to be deterred… In the past two days, we have completed 38 challenges and three bonuses.  That is called “moving and grooving” (and falling into a coma at night as soon as your head hits the pillow).

But first, our second and last day in Buenos Aires found us up and out early for Sunday Ceremony (catholic mass) at Basilica Nuestra Senor del Pilar.

The bonus scavenge today was to take the train to Tigre and do a boat ride. Tigre turned out to be a series of deltas, rivers and islands where (a) Rich people have fancy boating clubs; (b) Middle class people have chic weekend homes and (c) the cast of Deliverance are hiding out in dilapidated shacks that are falling apart and sliding into the river. A stunning display of income inequality. 

Posh boating club

Charming vacation home

"Don't step on the pier or you may end up in the river" shacks

There are even small grocery / convenience stores mid-river

And abandoned ships amassing ghosts and rust on the riverbanks.

Before we left Tigre, we had a nice lunch at a restaurant by the water

Still raining all afternoon, but we enjoyed the zen of  the Japanese Gardens.

When we interviewed locals to ask them who was the most famous person from Argentina Papa Francis (the Pope… whom I love … and who I believe may well change the world) and soccer player Messi ran neck and neck. Not sure what that says about society today.

Need to hold up the branches of an old and unstable tree? Problem solved artistically: Just put a half naked, 12-pack abs bronze statue on duty.

How can you not love a city with street art like this

On Monday at 6:30AM, we were at the ferry to cross into Uruguay (another new country for me… YAY).  We started in Colonia de Sacramento, a quaint cobbled-stoned village popular for weekends with Argentinians. Every corner is picture-worthy.

Then on to Montevideo and to a local winery (Bodega Bouza) for a tour.  It was so beautiful and peaceful at the winery that we stayed and had an amazing dinner at their fancy restaurant.

This leg we have been able to scavenge all of the time with our friends Marnie and Greg, which has made the last few days so special. On some legs, the event coordinator restricts how much time you can spend with another team... so total freedom has been great. 

Tomorrow is May Day which seems to mean that everything will be closed here (it’s like our labor day). So not sure how many of the Montevideo challenges we will get done before check-in at 7PM tomorrow… but we will be up early to try and see as much of the city as possible.