El Ateneo Grand Splendid

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Today is fairly uneventful. Gord and Leslie are trying to figure out a trip to Patagonia in the far south after their stay here in Buenos Aires. Given that this is a cash only society and many things sometimes fall apart (like the booking system of the travel agent they're trying to navigate with) there's not too much to show.

The day begins with Gord and Reg stocking up at the El Franjamar wine shop just down the street. We've all been doing our best to keep them in business. The proprietor speaks very good English and knows Gord and Leslie who are regular patrons. It's been a tough time to run a small shop but he stocks food and wine so was able to stay open during the pandemic lock downs. But now inflation is making life tough. In the course of our visit we stop in several times to stock up. Sometimes we are buying better wines he recommends, other times we are buying cheaper wines for the pissants. All his wines are quite nice, very drinkable, and very affordable. 

The picture above is within the El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore in the Recoleta/Barrio Norte neighborhood where Kate and I had a drink and waited while Gord and Leslie dealt with their travel arrangements. This was once the Grand Spendid theatre opening in 1919 and was converted to the El Ateno bookstore in 2000. It's a beautiful and very busy place. Many people, like us, just come to take pictures.

The photo album continues with some street scenes from the area — more lovely Beaux Artes buildings and small shops at street level. That evening we stay in and share a dinner at our flat in Balvanera.