Shoes

Of course shoes. Went shopping yesterday. Ooh, so now that I can get money from a machine, must buy shoes. So many shoe stores and so little time. Comme il faut was even better than expected. The number in advertisments and on a government web site was not exactly where they seemed to be located. Tucked in a small alley, it is very hard to find, but worth asking directions.

Once allowed inside, the girl figured out our foot size, whether we wanted high or low heals and how sexy we were looking for. Can't imagine what would have happened if I'd said both please, as she went in the back and started to pull out boxes. And boxes. And boxes. The shoes were lined up in a row. Sexy classic (would have purchases but they weren't leather), sexy outrageous and--well, you'll see when I get home!

From there, we hopped in a taxi and found our way to the Abasto Shopping Plaza. Huge centre that we didn't even explore. The two of us were on a mission for shoes. In the Abasto hotel is a tango boutique--Madreselva. There shoes are all the same still in various colours.

Artensanal is right around the corner, where Liz found shoes much to here liking. Tango clothes in the shops aren't any less expensive than at home, so I haven't been looking much at the clothes. From the boutiques and small shops is where you have to look for great bargins. We stopped in a small store next door to Tango 8 where the young woman spoke only Spanish, but is custom making me a skirt in soft knit and leather accents for only 75 pesos.

Across the street is yet another shoe store. Liz was looking for a certain colour of shoes, so in we went. Along one wall was their sale section. Everything from 110 pesos down to 80 pesos. 110 pesos works out to under $40! Can you believe it!

Everywhere you look are signs of how wealthy this city once was. It sad, haunting and somehow hopeful. The porteneo's never give you the feeling of tragedy. There is industry everywhere, little vendors, corner parilla's where you can eat for only a few pesos. Around every corner is something new. There is a great market in Ricoleta (a barrio) and here in San Telmo where crafts people set up and sell great wares. And of course, the tango.