Dead & Delta

 Forgive my love of alliteration. How do you tie together a cemetery and the widest river in the world? 

Yesterday we visited Recoleta Cemetery with tombs that rival the size of some houses. It is filled with the dead of very notable Argentinians and sometimes the not so notable but still wealthy. My favorite was this tomb…

The story goes, that this man was very wealthy and very stingy, cheap or if you prefer to be less crass, frugal. The marriage was an unhappy one, it seems he was not a very loving person and denied his wife most pleasures. She did love to shop and shop she did until her husband told the merchants of Buenos Aires that he would no longer pay the bills. So even that pleasure was taken from her. But she would have the last and best word. He died first. She lived at least 15 years more. In that time she built herself a new beautiful house, furnished it elaborately and threw fabulous parties. Before she died she left instructions for her entombment. She never wanted to gaze upon him again so her likeness would face away from him—always!   

Of course the highlight of Recoleta is the tomb of Eva Perón. It is a simple tomb compared to so many of the others but it always has fresh flowers. Our guide explained the circuitous and tortuous route of her body until it was finally laid to rest. 

An absolute city of tombs, sculptures, and hopes for salvation… 

Yesterday we left the dead behind and today ventured to the widest river in the world, the Rio de la Plata. It is 140 miles wide and you can’t see across it. Now if you want to get into arguments with the Amazon, go for it.

Upon the delta we went and then into tributaries and channels around the islands where the people leave without cars, only boats for transportation. All of a community’s needs are supplied by boat—groceries, ice cream, water, ice. It comes by boat. The homes further in are mostly locals who live there all year round, the homes nearer to the main waterways are vacation homes or rentals for vacationeers.

 We docked in Tigre and went for lunch and then to the Market de Frutas for shopping. I just am not ready to shop but we did find an adapter so that we have more than one. 

And now here’s Dennis—

Yep, A very interesting story about Recoleta Cemetery indeed. After reading Cindy’s missive, I couldn’t help but think, could she somehow be comparing this successful gent and his frugality to me? Other adjectives used were stingy and cheap. Just to clear the air a bit, I’m none of these. I consider myself “spartan,” a much more charming, quaint, and masculine word. It’s good to be spartan and bad to be stingy or cheap. Actually, I’m proud to be spartan! It allows me to drive a 2013 Hyundai with 200,000 miles on it, proudly. 

As far as a tomb with opposing faces—yea, probably ain’t gonna happen when we candidly ask someone to cast our ashes under a bush somewhere in the neighborhood.

Toughest thing about the trip so far? Being in a country where very very few people speak English. In all of our travels, we’ve always found people we could talk with. Not in Argentina and it’s really eye opening. I’m finding out how people who visit the USA with only one language feel. It’s very difficult. Need help with an ATM? Lotsa luck. Wanna talk with a banker, ain’t gonna happen. But all in all, Argentina is a wonderful and beautiful country filled with helpful and kind people.Even though I can’t speak with many people, they are very courteous and go out of thier way to help a traveler who’s confused and looks like they were just released from a psychiatric ward! 🤭It’s all part of the adventure of being a stranger in a strange land. 🙂Stick with us. More to come.