Day 19 and 20 - From Rio to Buenos Aires - Palermo District

We woke up to another beautiful day in Rio.  The clouds were no longer protecting us from the sun and temperatures felt like they were already 90 degrees before 9 a.m.  Today wasn’t a big day because we had to leave around 1 p.m. to come back to Buenos Aires.  Our plan is to stay a few days in a different neighborhood before heading off to Iguazu Falls. 

Our taxi ride was pretty long – terribly long actually.  Traffic was difficult getting out of Copacabana; we were lucky to have left a little earlier than we normally had planned. The language, as I have written, continued to be an obstacle for us as well as a perpetual joke amongst us.  I just now assume that I won’t possibly get what I want and have to be flexible!  J 

The flight back to Buenos Aires was full of screaming kids.  GREAT.  There were probably 8 or 9 little people on our flight; they all were seated up towards Mr. Sanders.  I was lucky to be towards the back of the plane even though their wailing was inescapable.  It makes me so thankful to have the lovely darlings in my class! 

We got to our apartment in the Palermo District in Buenos Aires.  It is full of a different kind of life and reminds me a lot of Madrid.  The streets have cobblestone, people go out later. Everywhere you go there are cafes and musicians creating a living sound all of its own.  There are people of all ages eating, meeting with families, and enjoying their summer.  Palermo has a neighborhood feel with a bit of a “hip” flavor.  There are many independent shops and interesting things to investigate at every turn. 

Above and Below;   Japanese Garden

Monument for German Park

We spent today walking the streets.  Me, I am mostly lost.  Mr. Sanders has Google map location on his phone and navigates everywhere.  We strolled through big parks – one German, one Japanese.  We toured the outside of the zoo – where graffiti around the walls clearly said that people were not happy with, “the incarceration of animals.”  Mr. Sanders would not want to admit it; however, we found a Starbucks and enjoyed a big, cold, icy, delicious iced-coffee.  We are off to do some more neighborhood explorations!  I'll post more photos of Palmermo tomorrow!  Adios!