Day 12: Mon 5 Sep - Buenos Aires

I had one of the better nights' sleep last night which I really needed. It was still raining and not a particularly nice day. Sylvain, Regis and I decided to do something though, and visited Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral), then Recoletta Cemetery when Eva Peron, and other many other important people are "buried".  Perhaps it was the dreary weather, but I found the cemetery was nothing to write home about, but the Cathedral was pretty good.

The cathedral is the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires, is located in the city center, overlooking Plaza de Mayo, and is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.  It has been rebuilt several times since its humble origins in the 16th century. The present building is a mix of architectural styles, with an 18th-century nave and dome and a severe, 19th-century Neoclassical façade without towers. The interior keeps precious 18th-century statues and altarpieces, as well as abundant Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque decoration.  The Cathedral is also home to the Mausoleum of General José de San Martín who was the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. 

The Cathedral also serves as a museum to honour Pope Francisco.  From 1998 until his consecration as Pope in 2013, Jorge Bergoglio Archbishop of Buenos Aires was in charge of the Cathedral and the Archdiocese.

Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

Interesting sculpture near Recoleta cemetery

Entrance to Recoleta Cemetery

A 'street' in the cemetery

Map of the cemetery

Burial place of Eva Peron and her family

Portrait of Eva Peron on the Ministry of Social Development building

We got back to the hotel just after 11am, and I said goodbye to the boys as they were leaving in about half an hour. I then waited for Jane and Ann to return from their shopping trip to the Mall and had lunch with them. The rest of the afternoon was spent re-packing the bags, downloading photos to the laptop, starting the MEPS post-Congress report, and chatting with Jane and Ann.

We had pre-dinner drinks with Trudi at her hotel then walked to the same restaurant as last night for dinner.

As we were all leaving the next day, we were all keen to get an early night. Thankfully, the hot water made a re-appearance and I was able to have a nice hot shower before hitting the sack.