9/2/2005 - More to Report from B.A.

I am really getting annoyed with these computers. Not only are certain keys in different locations but the keyboard sticks like crazy. And it is smokey around here

Some random experiences and observations the past few days...

We went to a Tango show on Wednesday night. Tickets were 170 pesos ($60) per person. That price included pick up at and drop off to your hotel, 3 course meal with bottled water and bottle of wine, and the tango show. This one was a lot different than last years show. The show we went to last year was a refined theatrical broadway type performance. This one was a just opened this year show with a lot less polish. However the place was smaller so we were right in the middle of the action. I could feel the wind from their dancing and a few times thought I would get hit in the face. And as luck would have it, I was asked to tango with one of the dancers. Shame I didn't waltz over to kingsley's desk last week to get ready for this. Oh well. All and all the evening out was good.

On Thursday we went to a place north of Buenos Aires called Tigre. It is a big tourist destination with an amusement park, casino, safari boat ride, shops, restaurants, stores, jet ski and canoe rentals. So we went mid week in the middle of the winter. Couldn't have been a worse day to go. It was still interesting though. Tigre was created by sediment being dropped from the Rio de Plata. So there are hundreds or thousands of islands. The only way to get to the various islands is water taxi or water bus. There are super market boats, and hospital boats, and gas boats. Pretty interesting. The school bus is even a boat as 6000 people live in these islands full time. The bus goes to docks to pick up and drop people off and it seems that every piece of property on the main waterways have docks. So anyone can be picked up. Then there are smaller canals and streams too. It is almost like a rural venice except not nearly as nice.

The train ride home was an interesting one We got on the subway during rush hour and were jammed in like sardines. I was pinned against the door and could not move. Than some lady starts hitting this guy in the head and a fight almost breaks out. Somehow we were able to get out of the train at our stop but it took a lot of pushing. We then transferred to another subway line which was a lot less crowded. This train was almost something out of Dickens. Best part was that doors on this subway open manually. There are handles on the door. So you can open the doors while the train is in motion if you want. True safety measures in affect. If this were the case on the first subway, I think people would have been thrown out the door.

Today, Amy and I purchased 1 way tickets to Asuncion for Sunday. $105. Not bad for an international flight only 3 days away. Anyway, tonight we have the opera and that is all for the scheduled activities. Tomorrow will be a relaxing day for me. Amy is getting up early and doing a home visit for one of her students. Sunday I fly to Paraguay where I will be until Friday when I fly back.