We are not in the jungle on the equator

Many North Americans think of Latin America as a whole as being equatorial, but this trip has driven home the point that we are long way from the equator in Buenos Aires.  BA is at 34 S. latitude (Wichita is a 37 N. latitude).  We knew it was winter here and packed accordingly, but the shortened days still seem very strange.  Sunrise is around 7:55 am and sunset is 6:06 pm.  We noticed trees without leaves on them as we drove in from the airport and it was startling to go from full green summer, to the dead of winter in terms of plant life.

It has been very interesting seeing people so bundled up when it is 55 degrees.  We have on jackets.  They have on heavy coats with scarves.  Apparently the summer time here is sweltering (I've seen it described as a furnace) and everyone flees to the beaches.  We wanted to visit the coast, but the beaches are several hundred kilometers south of BA so I don't think that will happen.