Avenida de Mayo, Buenos Aires
This view is looking west from Calle Santiago del Estero
With the exception of the modern steel and trussed concrete edifices, the old patriarchal houses of the colonial times and days of the early republic are the best built. Hundreds of these are to be seen to-day on the side streets. They have marble-paved, glass-roofed patios onto which open the doors of the parlor, dining room, and living rooms. These rooms are likewise dependent on the patio for their light. Behind the first patio is generally a second one, open to the sky, but on rainy and on sunny days decked with an awning. Here sit the family in their leisure hours; from this patio open the doors to the bedrooms. A small garden is invariably at the rear; the kitchen and servants' quarters are in its proximity. The handsome villas and private residences of the wealthy inhabitants differ but little in architecture from the same class of buildings the whole world over. It must not be imagined that because the material and construction are poor that they are cheap. They cost nearly double to build what their duplicates would be in the United States. Brick, stone, iron, sand, lime, and lumber are much more expensive than at home.
The cost of living in Buenos Aires is higher than in New York, with the exception of some articles I have already named. The hotel rates are, however, cheaper. On the Avenida de Mayo, Calle Florida, and Calle Callao, the show streets, one is obliged to pay Fifth Avenue prices for articles purchased; on the side streets the same goods are much cheaper. The average native does not patronize the show places. At any of the Avenida de Mayo cafés, a small cordial glass of Benedictine costs twenty-one cents. At one of the side-street almazens (grocery stores), which have a dispensary, the same glass costs nine and one half cents. A pint of Guinness' stout at the Hotel Savoy costs sixty cents; at the Avenida de Mayo cafés it sells for forty-three cents, while in the almazens it can be bought for twenty-six cents.
Mr. Oliver H. Lane
This photograph was taken on roof garden of the Hotel Majestic
Regarding hotels, Buenos Aires has some very fine ones. Most have table d'hôte service, which in Argentina is taken in preference to meals à la carte, for most of the guests take their rooms en pension unless they intend to make a short stay only.