Buenos Aires I

I usually start an new blog post by reviewing pictures.  It's a bit overwhelming to think about doing that about Buenos Aires.  We've been there for 6 nights so far--so many impressions, so many sights, so many miles walked, so many glasses of wine...  And so, in no particular order, here goes.  You know what it's like to think of a place  where you never been.  You gather ideas and mental images you know isn't probably all that accurate.  Buenos Aires is what I'd expected, but nothing at all what I'd thought.  Forgive me, if I sound like a complete idiot, but my siblings will know that somewhere in our collective memory banks, Saskatoon is a leafy city where Grandma Hatlelid wears smart hats and walks briskly to visit her interesting friends.  For me, Buenos Aires conjured up images of the tango, passionate people, a divide between wealth and impoverishment, a checkered past of military juntas and 'disappeared' persons.  All of these were confirmed, but I will leave the city with so much more, including mausoleums designed by the world's finest architects, the best beef just shy of the Fitzpatrick ranch, buildings not out of place in Paris's 7th arrondisement, pick pockets, leather shops, broken sidewalks, dog walkers, a friendly relaxed elegance, pride of place.  Whether or not these are a true representation of Buenos Aires, you'll have to see for yourself.  I'm sure you'll be glad that you did.

To start a little geography.  Buenos Aires appears to be on the ocean, but it's actually near the mouth of an enourmous river, La Plata separating Argentina from Montevideo, Uruguay.

Dog walkers hanging out in the park.  They seem to do a lot of it.

Ruthie, does this remind you of anything?  I'm not sure that these are cherry blossoms.

A typical urban corner.

Urban reflection

On a central square in San Telmo

A traditional Argentine grill.

I'm not sure that Matt Groening is getting any royalties from this beer.

Our first feast of meat in Buenos Aires

The traffic on the 9th of July Avenue (Argentina's independence day) is 18 lanes.  Dad, do you think that town council might change Morin Crescent to 9th of July Avenue in Gravelbourg???

The original town hall and rare example of Spanish colonial architecture

Across the square, is the more typical Parisian style

Eva Peron gave her famous speech to the crowd from this balcony--on the left side of the building

Obelisk commemorating the founding of Argentina

The circle wraps around the above obelisk, known as the Grandmothers' path of the Plaza de Mayo.  Following the disappearance of their then young adult children in the 1970's and early 1980's--along with their grandchildren--the grandmothers of Argentina gather to walk this circle in Plaza de Mayo to bring attention to their missing grandchildren, now adopted into other families.

Buenos Aires' Russian church

Stadium home to the Boca Juniors, one of Buenos Aires' favourite junior team...  We had to be content with listening to some of the game on the big screen, as even our guide wouldn't want to go to a game without an experienced insider.

I am coming to the end of our evening together.  I know it feels as if we're in the middle of something, but you'll just have to check back again soon for further posts.  I'm not nearly done yet...

Love to all,

Grace