Carlos Soria, Governor of Rio Negro, elected in December 2011, died 5 a.m. on 1. Jan 2012 from a gunshot in the face after a 'family dispute'. Wife is accused of discharging arm, but ' did not like to kill him' in her words. Press says, that couple has been known as 'temperamental'.
700 tourists evacuated from Chilean National Park 'Torres del Paine' after 19.000 hectares of bio reserve are in flames. Israeli citizen is said to have forgotten to extinguish his camp fire. He has been retained.
Kayaker tried paddling from Argentina to the Malvinas (Falkland Island for Anglophiles). Kayak found, paddler dead.
Dakar Ralley, from Rio de la Plata to Lima, via Pampas, Deserts, Andes etc etc has started. Gruelling journey...
Manteleros, the illegal 'blanket' street vendors are back in force after absence of one day. They had been evicted from Calle Florida by city officials.
Utility costs are going up as of 1. January...
350% for gas, 150% for electricity, 230% for water...
BC Hydro take note!
New Years Day, and the City is empty and silent - relatively so. Visited the Cathedral, where the Archbishop of the Buenos Aires Diocese held a Missa Solemnis, attended by a small number of faithful.
Tourists kept pouring through, even during the Eucharist...but most had enough tact to stay out of the main apse.
Yours truly sat quietly on a bench, enjoying the coolness of the building, great accustics of organ music....
Not a showy mass, the Archbishop, another Bishop, a Deacon and one Accolyte celebrating the rite...
Virgin Mary with a gift of fresh roses
Nothing much going on in the City, so wandered across Plaze de Mayo for a stroll along Calle Defensa towards Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo....
Galleries show some of their art pieces outside their stores
Tango Sculpture....
Cutlery and metal scrap sculpture...
Spoon and Fork people...
Antique Rocking Horse...
Entrance to one of the Conventillos (housing develoments of the early 20th century), still in use in San Telmo
Holiday or not - Tango dancers still work the sidewalks
Equivalent of a hot dog stand...
Choripan is a piece of bread with chorizo sausage - a favourite for Argentinians, and costing the approximate equivalent of $3.00
The Hot dogs sizzle on a Parilla, which is set up on a Private Property parking lot, today being a holiday, it is conveniently empty...
Later, back at the home front: temporary Room Mate....3 inches long.
Tried to do him in, but impossible without a ladder or a fly swatter. Plus - the thing could fly!
Chased him to the bathroom, hoping he will disappear through the open window - sooner or later.
Happy New Year to all!!!
