We had some time to go to a walking street in the downtown area. Calle (Caje) Florida is filled with great shops and restaurant. Of course, there were many tourists but also locals wandering the many blocks. So far, we haven’t purchased anything on this trip. I usually like to buy something that I can wear or use as a reminder of our trip. The sweaters and shawls in Bolivia were soft and beautiful but definitely would not fit into a carryon bag. And, wearing it would have not worked since the temps were very comfortable in this late spring weather. So, seeing a really pretty lightweight shawl was the best choice and Jim was happy to buy it for me for my birthday a few days ago. It will be perfect in Ajijic.
After lunch, we went to the El Ateneo Bookstore in Recoleta. This famous landmark is visited by zillions of tourists annually because it is in a former theater with many balconies and a ceiling that is amazing. You don’t know where to look first and there even is an English-language section, although small. In the back is a cafe where the stage was. The size and scope of the bookstore is especially grand. We visited an amazing bookstore in Porto, Portugal, very different but certainly nothing like this.
For dinner tonight, we went to a very popular pizza restaurant recommended by a friend in Ajijic who lived in Buenos Aires for many years. She said that we had to order the fugazza pizza. It is a crispy crust with tons of mozzarella and caramelized onions. No red sauce or other ingredients. We could see many others ordering this, too and we loved it. Two pieces was more than enough for the two of us. The restaurant was packed and the walls covered with all kinds of sports memorabilia. It is definitely a local favorite and we concur.
It has been a busy day, with only one more until we depart. We are stuffed and ready to get back to the apartment.