¡El Fin de Semana!

Chicos,

Right now, I'm cooking dinner in our apartment - spinach and mozzarella ravioli - hopefully I won't burn down the house (Talking Heads are playing on my ipod, how fitting). Today was amazing; I went to El Ateneo, a historic theater that has been turned into a bookstore filled with shelves of books, DVDs, CDs and other knick knacks. There's a cafe on the stage where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing through the books. It is one of my favorite places here to date!

After I left El Ateneo, I walked about a mile to another big tourist hot-spot, Recoleta! This spot is full of architecture reminiscent of Parisian boulevards and European construction. In the center of Recoleta is one of the most magnificent sightseeing spots in the world - El Cementerio de La Recoleta (El Masoleum Sarmiento). It is filled with the tombs of Argentina's most important dignitaries, politicians, and generals. However, one of the more noteworthy tombs is Eva Peron's (Hollaaaa Evita!!!) resting place. I don't believe she's actually buried there, but her family's tomb is there (Duarte).

All of the tombs are different in design and structure; some are made of black marble, others of granite and stone. I have to say, even though it was 5 PM when I was walking through the tombs, it was quite eerie. If you peer inside, there are coffins right there, as well as stairs leading down below the tombs where other family members are buried. Some tombs' doors have been opened slightly, but I think people are too afraid of disturbing the dead to cross the threshold.

The cemetery makes up the entire plot of land situated behind La Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar. I have also posted pictures of the inside of the church. Right outside, on the weekends, is a large fair that consists of hundreds of vendors selling knick-knacks and other small, handcrafted items. It was fun to walk around and watch the buyers bargain and negotiate pricing; it was also nice to hear English being spoken!

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Besos,

Sam