ANGELS AND COLONS:

So, after a slow start this morning (think i was suffering the combined after effects of too much cow and Malbec), headed out of the hotel at around midday to continue my exploration of the vibrant and exciting BA! Had no real game plan other than to visit the cemetary (including a visit, of course, to Eva Peron's tomb) and to see Teatro Colon (and try not to snigger at the name). It was another gorgeous day, blue skies and plenty of sunshine - the perfect backdrop for pictures. So the cementerio de la Recoleta was absolutely stunning - if a little spooky, when you peered into the tombs and saw the massive coffins lying in there. Most of them also had stairs leading to further crypts downstairs, which made me wonder about the etiquette of burial. Do you get your stint upstairs first if you're the latest family member to shuffle off this mortal coil before being moved downstairs when a more recent departee arrives? Just a thought i pondered as i wandered round. Evita's tomb was actually pretty modest compared to some of the rest of them, some of which were probably bigger than my Manhattan apartment. Ah well! So, after a very interesting hour or so, made my way out of the cemetary towards Teatro Colon. Unfortunately it was covered in lots of scaffolding, so i couldnt get that close or even take a decent pic. Never mind - at least i can say i saw it and tick it off my "1000 Place to See before You Die" list!!

Random comment of the day - the Argentinians sure know how to queue! Perfectly orderly lines at bus stops and banks. Very heart-warming for a Brit to see and to know we are not the only nation in the world that takes a perverse pride in queueing! Also rather randomly, on my way to the cemetary, i passed this school where the kid's uniforms consisted of white lab coats! V. bizarre - looked like a school full of little Einsteins and scientists in training!!

Anyway, off for dinner now - i'm going to try and underachieve in the cow-eating stakes tonight (no pun intended) - maybe Italian, instead?! Up bright and early for our flight to Bariloche and the official start of Patagonia 2007.