Buenos Aires day 5

Today cleared up nicely and the tempurature is a bit warmer. It may be short lived. Tomorrow should be comfortable, but Wednesday will start to cool down again.

Up until this morning I was planning to take a bus to Iguazu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Then a fellow traveler pointed out a flightto Iguazu for less than the bus fare. I had to chose between and 17 hour bus ride or less than 2 hour flight. I didn't have to think very long. I going to fly on Thursday.

After breakfast and having a leisure morning. I headed out for my first planned excursion for the day, the Palacio de Agua Corrienientes (the Water Palace). Aptly named. The place look like a palace on the outside and much of the interior to, but it served a vital function in the city of Buenos Aires, it was the main water distribution center and waste water facility.

Occupying an entire city block, the Palacio de Aguas Corrientes (Palace of Running Water) was built in the second half of the 19th century to supply the city's water. Following the city's rapid expansion and several epidemics, including cholera and thyfoid, it was decided to introduce a modern running water system, following designs put forward by British engineer John Bateman. The construction of the 'palace' was overseen by Swedish engineer Carlos Nyströmer and Norweigian architect Olof Boye, between 1887 and 1894. It features French-style mansard rooves, and a facade that consists of 170,000 glazed tiles and 130,000 enameled bricks, all shipped from England and Belgium. Inside are 12 6,000m3 iron water tanks distributed over three floors.

The building today functions as an administrative centre for the city water company, but it also houses a small, quirky museum with a collection of tiles, faucets, and old toilets, bidets and pipes. Guided tours to visit the building's inner workings can be arranged (photo ID required). Entrance on Calle Riobamba.

The museum itself on the 3rd floor of the building displays lots of plumbing fixtures, connectors, meters, valves and other things that I was not familiar with.

After the Water Palace. I went to find a Western Union. I learned yesterday that I could transfer money from my US account and get a very good exchange rate. I didn't need a lot, but I did need a bit more Argentine Peso to last me until I arrive in Brazil later this week.

From there I walked to the Congreso Nacional (the Congress Building), about a 20 minute walk.

The Congresss building is fronted by a large park and a huge statue.

The Congress building itself is also very grand. I was only able to see the outside. I'm not sure if tours were available.

After, I continued to walk some of the streets in this area before heading back to the hostel.