Bienvendio a Buenos Aires
After Igauzu, it's a very pleasant temperature here in BA. Just as well as we spent most of our time walking and touring the city.
Palermo
BA has a very European feel. We're staying in Palermo with a lot of shady streets and restaurants.
Speaking of restaurants: Argentinian beef is so yummy. I wish we could fit a steer into our luggage. We've eaten more beef in Argentina then we would in a year.
Even the trees are tres chic.
Boca
We visited other areas as well. Boca is one of the oldest areas, founded by dock workers and sailors. It has a colorful veneer
But us tourists are advised to vacate after dark.
This frieze depicts men working on the docks.
There are three big passions here: football, politics and tango. Here are the three figures that embody these: Messi (every kid wears his soccer shirt), Eva Peron (more later) and Carlos Gardel (father of tango)
There was a big debate as to what the colors for the local football club should be.
They decided to use the colors of the next ship to arrive in port, which happened to be Swedish.
San Telmo
Moving North from Boca is San Telmo, well known for antiques and cute little shops.
Need a grammophone?
On Sundays the whole street becomes a market for as far as you can see.
Centro
Next up is the Centro. Home of Plaza de Mayo and the Rose House: the president's office.
With these good natured guards
This photo was from 1951 when Eva Perron announced to the crowds that she would not run for Vice-President as she was striken by cancer.
And this is the view from the balcony where she made this speech.
Over 30 years ago, a military dictatorship began a rule of terror. Over 30,000 people 'disappeared'. Since then, every thursday in the plaza the mothers of the disappeared march and protest, looking for answers.
More European architecture downtown
This ornate building is the water works.
There are a huge number of theatres in BA. The most famous is Tetro Colon.
But not all theatres remain as performing venues
BA has an enormous boulevard: Av. 9 de Julio. It is the widest street in the world. Not fun for us pedestrians. There's Eva on the white building next to the obelisk.
Recoleta
Moving on to Recoleta, home of this tree so big it needs crutches
And the Rocoleta Cemetery
Girl and her dog
Buried alive? A haunting legend you can google...
And the Duarte crypt where Eva is buried, finally after her body was stolen away for 17 years.
A new spot is opening up. People are dying to get in (groan).
"I'm never talking to you again!"
(True story, angry wife's last wishes for her grave)
A little further on is MALBA: The Modern Art Museum of Latin America. We couldn't take many pictures inside but we did catch this out of control bench
Tango!
We attended a 'milongas' (local tango parlour) popular with the slightly older set. It was held in an elegant old hall, men on one side and women on the other. Everyone was dressed to the nines and you could imagine this hasn't changed in a hundred years. After every few songs a minute or two of 50's rock and roll would play and everybody returned to their seats. Then it was tango-time again.
Everything you need to know about tango
Tango in the streets
Subways
We ventured into the subways, which were not as bad as rumoured. They're clean and efficient.
This is the oldest: the A line.
Even the cars are classic
This is a wooden escalator.
Every ride included entertainment
Plus assorted beggars and little boys who give everybody pens in the hope that somebody will buy one.
On the street
The great thing about BA is what you see on the street.
There are statues and monuments everywhere
Mother's day is coming!
Music everywhere
And dog walkers
Speaking of dogs: There is dog crap everywhere. Furthermore, every building is responsible for the sidewalk in front, and if part of the sidewalk is missing or torn up it stays that way. Makes walking a head down activity. Which is unfortunate since drivers treat pedistrians as minor obstacles.
There's lots of buses on the road too. Old but very well cared for.
School's out
Well that's it for Buenos Aires. What's next?
