Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Unlike Sao Paulo, the "favelas" of Buenos Aires were much less visible, largely due to the flatness of the terrain.  In Sao Paulo and Rio, the favelas are very apparent due to being on mountainous areas.  I believe that Argentina does not have the same level of poverty as does Brazil, but that is debatable.  This photo above shows the entry into a shanty town off a main road in downtown Buenos Aires near the train station.

Obelisk and image of Evita Peron on a building in distance.

Buenos Aires has wide avenues, European architecture and not too many overly tall buildings.  It follows a grid pattern street layout and seems clean and organized and is quite pretty!

Church with the entrance to the Recoleta Cemetery to the left.

The Recoleta Cemetery is where Evita Peron is encripted.  This cemetery was most interesting, though, because of the way the dead are kept...there were many, many family mausoleums with the coffins clearly on display.  Some were in very bad disrepair and open to the elements.

One of the many tree lined avenues.

Buses are readily identifiable with their routes clearly painted on the sides.

More European style architecture above and below. It is a shame Sao Paulo failed to preserve its buildings in the same way, with the trend being toward throwing out the old to make way for the new, instead of focusing on maintenance and appreciation of history.

This obelisk is clearly visible from many vantage points.  It is located at the intersection of Plaza de la Republica and Corrientes Avenue.

Street tango shows are quite common and from what I could tell, well done.

Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Protest signs line the fences in front of the Casa Rosada.

The Casa Rosada is the executive mansion of the President and the story is that the building got its colour owing to a compromise between the two leading political parties at the time, one whose colour was white, and the other, whose was red...hence, pink.

This town is full of people dressed as culturally iconic figures.

Filetes in fileteado style...a traditional sort of sign and typeface made popular in Buenos Aires.

The famous San Telmo Sunday Fair, that used to be quite small and now extends many blocks, is chock-a-block full of every variety of traditional crafts, antiques as well as fine crafted newer items.  It is a must see!

The San Telmo Feira, above and below is indoor and outdoor and includes food, street performers and of course, souvenirs!

The Caminito, which was once an authentic part of town, where tango got its start, is now more of a tourist trap, but well worth the visit.

Caminito means "little walkway" and is in the La Boca neighbourhood.  It has lots of restaurants, shops, outdoor vendors, street performers etc., all perpetuating the historic flavour and tradition that is typical of Buenos Aires in the earlier part of the 20th century.

Another side of the Ministry of Public Health building which has portraits of Evita Peron on two faces.

The photo above and the two below are simply more examples of the beauty of the architecture here.

The Rooney's hotel did not have all the modern amenities, but when Cassio gave me this option vs a contemporary one, I immediately said "yes" to this antique style room.  The hotel is small, quaint, pretty, clean and very reasonably priced. I think the ceiling height was 14 feet! Gorgeous!  This was a nice way to finish off another fantastic voyage!