MAPS PARKS SUBT

mThe Grandma Gene
My maternal grandma, Francis Mills Anderson McWilliams had no sense of direction. When she left her house, she was lost. At first, I thought the "Grandma Gene" had kicked in, either that or Alzheimers. I´d look at the map, and head out only to find several blocks that I was going the wrong direction. Soon, I started checking the map at every intersection, and, sure enough, I was going in the wrong direction. (Not that I had anyplace important to go or any time that I had to be there....but it was an irritant.)

After two days of this, I finally noticed that the map I have has the direction North at the bottom. It´s upside-down, and if you turn it right-side up, you can´t read the street names.

Well, at least the mystery is solved, but I´m still totally screwed up as to directions. The nice thing is, you don´t really have to worry about it. If you get lost or tired, just hail a taxi. Just don´t forget your address!!

Sunday in the Park

I know you´ll think I´m nuts, but I love the subway, and I love parks. You may not find it suprising, therefore, that I would locate a park or other point of interest on my map, and then take the subway to the closest stop.
If I had to ride the subway every day, or commute via subway, I´m sure I´d learn to hate it. Ever since my first subway adventure in Paris, clost to 35 years ago, I´ve ridden subways in London, Munich, Madrid, and anywhere else that had one....except for New York City.

The subway here cost ART .70, the equivalent of which is $.23. There are only five lines, but one could cover the greater part of the city. As I recall, when I first rode Metro in Paris some 35 years ago, the cost was $.35.

Back to the subject at hand--I had chosen Plaza San Martin as my destination, and hopped on the subway at the Bulnes station, conveniently located one block from my apartment and got off at the last stop downtown called Cathredral. Then I started walking, and soon found that I was headed, not for the Plaza, but for the docks. I walked about 20 blocks along the docks most of which is covered with brick or cobblestone, and it was ovbious that the locals used it to stroll for relaxation, some few joggers. There was the Hilton Hotel and there were restaurants galore, among them I sited such familiar sites as TGI Fridays and Hooters. Eschewing American eateries, I stopped at the stand selling Empanadas, and order two carne, plus a Sprite Lite. The counter guy came back and said something to the effect that they were out of carne, how about tuna....I think. So I said OK, and ate two what I think were tuna Empanadas. I knew from previous experience that one wouldn´t be enough. They´re good, but small, costing about $.50 each.

Having sated and slaked, I continued in what I thought was the direction to my destination; stopping to ask a uniformed person if I was going the right direction. She turned out to be a pretty young girl, which you couldn´t tell because of her uniform and hat. She said it was too far, and I should take a cab. She finally confirmed the direction, and I took off walking.

Plaza San Martin & Florida Street
I entered from Rojo Street, and before me was a hugh park full of trees and people and kids and dogs, mostly just relaxing or playing. After walking through the park for a while, I spied a cafe on Maipu street, and decided that my thirst needed more slaking. I ordered a Cervezca Bolon. Bolon is not a brand of beer, but rather a measure. An Imperial is big, a bolon is a large cup, a Chopp is a beer mug, and there one thing I haven´t found out the name for. It´s a BIG bottle of beer, usually split between two people. Got to learn the name of that one.

Continuing around the perimeter of the park, I came upon Florida Streeet, well known for it´s shopping and shops. It is a pedestrian only avenue that stretches for 14 blocks, if you count the side streets. They have absolutely everything.

I window shopped most of Florida Street, and saw so many interesting things to buy, that I almost succumbed to the temptation to buy gifts for people. Luckily, that passed after a few more blocks. Maybe when Ward and Jane get here, we´ll go back there and I´ll be tempted again. There were nice little sidewalk cafes strewn along the wide walkway, and I did succumb to once again slaking my thirst.

I walked back to the Green Line, pushed my ticket through the gate, got on the subway, and was home again in no time at all.