Monday, June 1, 2009

El 25 de Mayo!


United States citizens were off May 25th and so were Argentinians, but for a slightly different reason. While the United States celebrated Memorial Day, Argentina celebrated el 25 de Mayo, the day that Argentina declared its independence from Spain (though it didn't actually win independence until July 9th). Throughout Buenos Aires, people enjoyed an off day and celebrated independence with a concert at El Obelisco (The Obelisk) in La Plaza de la República (Republic Square) where the Argentine flag flew for the first time.

Personally, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the Recoleta Cemetery where many famous Argentinians (including Evita Perón) are buried. Her mausoleum is pictured here at right. She is buried underground, however, because the military junta that previously ruled Argentina repeatedly stole her body from the mausoleum. Additionally, the famous Argentine writer/politician/president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, is buried here, as well as numerous ex-presidents. Walking through the cemetery is very strange because you actually feel like you're in a city of dead people. The entrance to the cemetery is free, and it is generally crowded with tourists and native Argentinians alike.

Today was also my first experience dining at an Argentine restaurant that did NOT feature an English-speaking waiter. The restaurant, called "The Contiental" consisted of typical Argentine food as well as some American classics, including empanadas, pizza, pasta, salad, and more. The experience was somewhat of an adventure. When I ordered a pasta, thinking that the price would only be the equivalent of US $3, I didn't realize that you have to order (and pay for) the pasta and sauce SEPARATELY. We also found out that saladas do not always include lettuce in Buenos Aires unless you specify that you want it. Then, when the bill came out, the waitress literally added up the prices on the table cloth. After making a mistake along the way and counting out loud in front of all of us, she finally gave us our totals. Who knows if they were anywhere close to the actual amounts we were supposed to pay? The important part was that we had made it through! This was the first stepping stone on the path of Argentine culinary excellence!

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