Anna says

Ask any favor and there is a bright and shiny willingness from every single person here in Buenos Aires. One man walked us three blocks because he's also a traveler, he said, and values assistance. 

Of 40+ barrios, ten of them will show off the port's vibrant history. The architecture is 'through the roof' wonderful, thanks in part to extraordinary wealth and labor. Today I happened upon a building which stretches gloriously over a full city block. A man on the street told me was brought from Europe, its plans were lost, and it became an exasperating affair for those reassembling it. A small fraction appears here (photo).

Took a taxi yesterday to the Boca Juniors futbol stadium for tickets - season opens tomorrow - only to learn this club's membership exceeds the number of seats, so visitors are out of luck. Fortunately we have great seats for two days of the Argentine Open tennis tournament next week. It will be interesting to see how many South Americans enter. They aren't making it these days to quarterfinals in the slams.

Photo: Succulents street side.

Photo: Little side lobby of our 3rd floor boutique hotel downtown (in Congreso). Chambers have 20' ceilings, balconies, lovely chandeliers. Windows and their transoms reach 17'. Tomorrow we move to Retiro/Recoleta for a week, a neighborhood with galleries, less bustle, more trees. 

Andale!