Late dining babies

Was amused when we wandered out for an early meal at around 9 pm tonight, by a line of seven tables, six occupied by parents feeding their babies and toddlers. Early training for a bohemian lifestyle? Last night, finding restaurants half-empty at 10, we thought maybe Friday wasn't such a big deal here - only to see things starting to buzz around midnight. Not so different from Brazil after all, then.

We sat ourselves down at the empty table and the little chap in the blue bib brought out the granny in me - we were copying each other beating out rhythms on the table. After initial communication in Spanish, it turned out that his parents were British, doing a house swap and on their first day in BA. Sounded like a great idea to me.

This shot, which doesn't catch the full line-up of babies, nearly lost out to the beautiful bag that brought home my earlier purchases. We were slow getting out today - luckily, because things only started to get going after midday. Everyone hugging the shade, under a cloudless sky and temperatures of around 30C. Shopping was my aim and intent, having failed to do any in the States, and I struck gold in about the 10th boutique. Unfortunately, didn't have enough gold with us to pay for it (credit cards involve the official rate, so the money only goes half as far). So I trudged back to the flat, getting thoroughly lost in the process, while HH stayed put, nursing one beer and then another. Eventually found my footsore way back and the transaction was completed in a mix of dollars and pesos.

Now I know why a siesta is essential in the afternoon - and I did enjoy mine.