Buenos Aires (Day 8): Night at the Museum

Being the cheap basterds that we are, we decide to visit the Museo de Arte Lation-americano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) on Wednesday when entry is 5 pesos ($1.60) instead of 15 pesos ($4). We go for a nice stroll to the museum passing through Buenos Aires's version of Central Park. When we arrive at the museum, we take in the beauty of the outside of the building. After a couple of photos, we enter the building and are awed by the entry foyer. It's airy and filled with natural light. But wait... something is "off". I can't quite put my finger on it, but then the hubby says, "I think they don't have electricity".

Ok, is it just me or do we seem to curse everyone in Buenos Aires? First, we totally screw the internet, electricity, and phone at the old apartment. Then we made our favorite waiter at our favorite restaurant drop a big plate of salad. And, now we managed to suck the electricity out of a whole museum? Wow, that's strong voodoo.

Well, we're all the way here... electricity or not, we're going in when it's 10 pesos less! This is the first time that we've ever gone through a museum in the dark. Some of the pieces like Antonio Berni's Manifestacion are haunting and devastatingly beautiful in the dark. Others, we just couldn't see. After we went through the museum once, the lights finally flicker back on. We go through the museum again with the lights on, and we find that they have a pretty nice collection. Wow, we went through the museum twice... that's like only paying 2.5 pesos for each trip. Whoo hoo, even better.

And Now, a Word From the Hubby...

I can't see shit in this museum. I'd ask for my money back but that'll just be kinda silly making a fuss over a buck sixty. Oh well, it's almost worth it just to see Frida Kahlo's Autoretrato [Self-portrait]... with mustache and unibrow and all. The building itself is a work of art... though I don't think some of the works of art in the building are. Maybe it's just cuz I can't see jack. But who am I to judge?

So, who would've guessed that there's a Japanese Tea Garden here in Buenos Aires? Certainly not me. Are there even Japanese people here?? If so, I'm cravin' some ramen, dammit. The Jardin Japones, as it's called here, is a nicely manicured garden with a tranquil pond, arched bridges, and even a rock garden... typical Japanese botanical fare, a serene little oasis to escape from the noise and pollution of the city. The only thing missing? Japanese people. Though... I guess the ticket agent at the entrance was Japanese, so in a way, he kinda legitimizes the place. But being the only people of Asian descent in the actual garden, the wifey and I most certainly give this place a sense of authenticity. I'm just wondering when someone will ask to take a picture with us. Jardin Japones con "Japones" people. So AUTH!

Random Stuff:

• We stumble onto a Carrefour... it's like the Walmart of France. The last time we were in a Carrefour was in Shanghai. We love this place... almost as much as that other French place, Tar-jay.
  
• Dinner at Las Cabras, a parilla [grill] where we order up a ton of meat and wash it all down with fries. There goes my cholestrol.
  
  

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Picture of the Day
Plaza San Martin