'Twas the Night Before the Big Move

I dished out a lot of US Dollars in Buenos Aires today, but it was for a good reason. Shelling out $1,950 ($1,450 for 2.5 month rent and a $500 deposit), I am pleased to announce there will be no further accommodation needs throughout the rest of my stay.

Today, at 12:00pm, I officially became a resident of Barrio Palermo. I rented a decent studio in proximity to the US Embassy and will be there until I depart on September 12, 2013. This means I now have my own address, so if you want to send me a letter or package…email me and I will send you the address. (Another positive, my studio is even closer to my beloved Jumbo. LOL!)

The City's Oldest Barrio

Calle Defensa in San Telmo

Visiting the Buenos Aires barrio (neighborhood) of San Telmo was today’s objective.  Many of San Telmo’s streets still contain their 17th century cobblestone and are lined with colonial style buildings. Engulfed with countless antique shops, this barrio is home to Buenos Aires’s most popular Sunday feria. It attracts tourists from all over the world; in fact, I heard many English conversations while I walked down Defensa Street.  San Telmo contains the heart of the tango, as there are many tango parlors in the neighborhood.

OHHHH...MY ACHING LEGS!

Man my legs are sore! You would be saying the same if you walked nearly ten miles through Palermo; the neighborhood in which I live. Today was all about discovery and becoming familiar with my surroundings. I will not lie; my first night was a bit overwhelming. It could have been because of the nearly 24 hours of traveling I did and I was tired, or because of the language barrier. I’m going to say it was a little bit of both.

After a good night’s sleep and waking up at 9 am , I was off to make my own map of Buenos Aires. I studied several maps my host provided me with for about 30 minutes or until I felt my routes were memorized. Basically, I didn’t want to be caught standing on a corner with a map in my hands looking like a tourist. LOL. I slipped my shoes on, put one map in my pocket for emergency use, and out the door I went...