Day 62 - From the outside, it didn't look much like a cathedral to us. The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is right in the center of downtown just off Plaza de Mayo. We went for a morning walk to see it.
There has been a church in this location since 1580. A series of churches were on the site over the years. The present building was consecrated in 1791 without a façade. By the time the design was ready, it was based on a Classical style that was popular at the time. In the 1860s that the facade was completed. This helps explain why we wouldn't, at first, have recognized it as a cathedral.
Inside, we visited the Mausoleum of General San Martín. José de San Martin was the Argentinian general and the primary leader in central and south South America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire.
After leaving the calm interior, we decided to walk a bit in downtown Buenos Aires. We still don't fully appreciate how close we are to everything in this city. If we stroll down the steps into the subway, we can be most anywhere in less than 15 minutes.
It is hard to believe we first set foot in the city just one month ago. It feels very much like home even though we are not Spanish speakers. Getting here is quite a distance for tourists from North America. However, if more made it, it would change many
preconceptions about South America. I feel lucky to have several more months here before we head home for summer in the northern hemisphere.
