March 16,

We were up and around by 0730. Today was supposed to be 87/88, so warm again. We had our Javas and breakfast of Muesli, yogurt and a plum, identical to yesterday, but just as good. We have been enjoying the plums. We finally started on some of our cold weather laundry clothes – yesterday and today. All that is left is the outer parka shells…for another day! I did some blogging and Jeff read, then did his proof-reading magic and set the pictures. The basic blog is mostly mine, but the overall work is collaborative effort!

Around 1215 we set out. We had in mind to do a guided tour of El Teatro Colon. Jeff had tried to book it online but was unsuccessful. When we arrived today’s bookings were all full – maybe that was why he could not book online. So we prebooked for tomorrow for 1300. It cost us 30,000 ARS, or $21.53 each! Considering the Congress Building was free…this had better be worth it, and like Jeff said this will be the most expensive place we have seen in Buenos Aires. With that we decided to get some lunch. We stopped at “Lo De Lobo, Sandwich a la lena.” We had passed by here a few times before, knowing we wanted to get food here. We ordered two ‘sandwich(es) de la casa’ – sandwiches of the house. One – Bife de Chorizo, basically a steak sandwich; and one Choripan, a link of course grind sausage. We also got two salsas- a chimi, and a criolla. It was 25,000 ARS, or $17.94. We took our food back to our place. They were good, and the sauces made them better. I guess we are ready to go to an Argentine steak house, by the way we snarfed them down! We have one planned for Thursday. The afternoon was just hanging out in our place under the AC. I did some more photo purging. For supper we had baked potatoes with a salad.

     March 17,

I did not sleep well. I had dreams of snakes!!! Water Moccasins – it was Dreadful! Anyway I tried to get more sleep, as Jeff went out to get some bread for breakfast. I did not sleep much, finally just got up and showered. I had just finished, when Jeff returned. He told me to stay in bed…umm! Then I heard other voices. Uh-oh! Seems a service man for the internet was here with another person (in place for the host). Well, I was trapped in the bathroom, until Jeff bought some stuff down, and he gave me my robe. I readied and came up. We had our Javas as they worked. I offered some water to them, but they did not want any. Then we went ahead and had our breakfast of leftover stir-fry with eggs and toast. The service guy continued to work until noon – four hours! We needed to leave pretty much when he finished.

We were out the door by 1215 to get to our booked tour. We arrived about 1245 for our 1300 guided tour. The group was large – like 40 people. Our guide was a young woman. She spoke English well, had a great projecting voice, and she laid down rules before we started: like stay with the group; photos are okay, but no flash, video or selfie sticks; no touching of statues or furnishings (except handrails were okay); yada-yada. I say this but one guy almost immediately starting videoing and using a selfie stick. Our guide corrected him both times quickly. He acted surprised, like she hadn’t informed him! Anyway…

The Colon Theater was built from 1890 to 1908. We progressed into a double layered/balconied main entry area. It was very opulent, ornate and visually stunning. She explained the theater was started with an Italian architect – I didn’t catch the names – but he died suddenly after four years into the project at the age of 44. So another Italian architect was hired in his place, and he proceded with the plans that were began, but he went back to his home early one day and caught his wife with another man… a fight came about and the architect was shot and killed by the lover. This architect was… 44 yrs old also. Argentines wondered if the theater was cursed, but the work proceeded; except now with a Belgian architect that was older..77 yrs old. Wow! That story was some coincidence!

We were guided to the main steps. The inside was made with three different Italian marbles and a local marble, like the Congress building. There was a shortage of funds and the “bronze work” was substituted with stucco and plaster to compensate for the funds. But I could not tell. It was all so grand with very high ceilings, embellished with stained glass of different muses; and enormous chandeliers weighing a half a ton each. Then we went upstairs on the balcony entry way, getting closer visuals of the stained glass work. We were directed in front of a statue of Venus and her son Cupid. It was a solid marble piece carved and sent from Italy. During its voyage over here, two of Venus (or Aphrodite) fingers broke off! But the powers that be chose not to give her new ones since it was just one piece otherwise. Along one U side of this upper entry balcony area was an intimate area that she said could be used for small 80-100 people performances, but not weddings or birthdays, ect. Here the ceiling was a canvas painting that had been stuccoed into the ceiling. Huh? That was a new one.

Next we were divided into groups of four and allowed into a balcony suite of the main theater room. WOWZA! There was an immense floor setting section, and then six layers of balcony seating in a U to the stage. One more floor – a seventh layer – was for “standing room only,” where you can come and see a performance but you have to stand to watch. There was lots of plush red and gold overlaying. Ritzy! Anyway, we sat and were taking it all in. I got three pictures off and then the lights went out. We had been prewarned of this. The theater is prepping for the ongoing Swan Lake production. Anyway, we got to see some stage lighting being worked out. Then our guide rounded us up, out of the balcony suites and down the stairs. She said they are getting a new female ballerina as the main lady had been injured. All I could think was she was 44 years old! So I asked, and made many people chuckle, even our guide! She composed herself and said she was 42…

Anyway with that the tour was over. We were taken out and saw that it was pouring rain outside. So we sat and waited for it to let up, about 15 minutes. Then we quickly went to Don Shawarma. We both had a chicken and beef shawarma, shared fries and each had a 7UP. It was fantastic with a garlicky-mayo-type tzatziki. We paid 33,500 ARS, or $23.99. It rained more as we ate but stopped when we finished. We caught a bus to get back, not chancing getting stuck in another downpour. Once back near our place we stopped at the local fruit/veggie shop. We settled in for the rest of the day. Good day and the rain has cooled it off!