Buenos Aires Argentina Tango, Street Art, and Architecture

After a week in Buenos Aires, I’m at a loss for words – it’s a fascinating city! Nothing seems straightforward, which is part of the mystery and excitement. There’s much to learn and see, with each day bringing new discoveries.

I continue to explore but so far, have only seen a handful of the city’s treasures. A big part of understanding Buenos Aires is learning about its complex history and meeting the friendly local people. Glad I have a full month to explore!

Big cities are valuable. They aren’t always easy but teach us much if we’re patient and remain thoughtful enough to watch and listen. Traveling solo in South America with a minimal grasp of Spanish has tested me. What was I thinking? Would I do it again? The answer is absolutely yes – it’s really an incredible experience!

In a way, not understanding a language well makes you more sensitive to what’s happening around you. In a familiar comfort zone, you can become less aware of your surroundings. Observing locals in restaurants, shops, on the subway, or even passing in the street is much more graphic when everything is new and unknown. It’s unnecessary to understand each word spoken to pick up facial expressions and body language. Sometimes the way something is said tells more than the words used to say it.

The last few days I’ve had trouble focusing, starting the day with a list of things to see and do but often getting sidetracked, ending up somewhere else. Recently, I’ve spent time in the Palermo, Recoleta, Centro, and Almagro neighborhoods. I still get lost, but it’s easier finding major streets and familiar landmarks.

Buenos Aires Tour

Yesterday I met a guide at Café Puerto Rico, a wonderful place near Belgrano and Avenida de Mayo, and had a fantastic walking tour. My guide, Ceri (Cary), enlightened me on architecture, culture, and tango in Buenos Aires.

Tango and Politics

Tango is an important part of Buenos Aires culture. I’ll visit a Milonga studio in Recoleta to see if it’s something to pursue. Enthusiasts often say they’re forever students of the tango.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

I’m beginning to understand “pieces” of the political environment in Buenos Aires. The Argentine 2015 general election will be held October 25th. Large activist group protests occur frequently. The economy, government corruption, and inflation are major issues – all familiar themes throughout the world. Controversy continues over legal allegations that Argentine President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, tried to cover up Iran’s involvement in a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires.

Alberto Nisman

Prosecutor Javier de Luca moved to drop the case against Kirchner. The case received global notoriety in January after the death of the prosecutor who brought the original allegations. Prosecutor Alberto Nisman was found dead days after making the accusations against Kirchner. Labeled as a suicide, Nisman’s death sparked outrage and conspiracy theories.

“Nisman alleged that Argentina’s government agreed not to go after Iranian suspects in the bombing in exchange for a favorable trade deal. The 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires is the deadliest terror attack in Argentina’s history, killing eighty-five people and injuring hundreds.”

Exploring the Outlying Area

I’m planning a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. It’s about an hour each way via boat on Rio de la Plata. Not sure if I will spend time in Montevideo.

Iguazú Falls is another point of interest. The Falls are on the Iguazú River on the border of the Argentinian Province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Since I don’t have a Brazilian visa, I’ll stay on the Argentinian side. US citizens must obtain a Brazilian visa in advance in the US before entering Brazil.

Buenos Aires Neighborhoods

This post summarizes Palermo, Recoleta, and Almagro neighborhoods. The photos are a mishmash of places I’ve seen over the past several days. Most are not captioned, because I’m not sure of their names. Architecture in Buenos Aires is exceptionally beautiful! Tomorrow I’ll visit La Boca near San Telmo.

Palermo

Palermo Viejo, the largest neighborhood, has two sections – Palermo Soho to the south and Palermo Hollywood to the north. Palermo is a stylish, popular area with hip boutique hotels, chic restaurants, and high fashion stores.

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“The 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires is the deadliest terror attack in Argentina’s history, killing eighty-five people and injuring hundreds.”

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The area was once a run-down neighborhood with old warehouses, factories, and decaying stucco homes. After renovation, it became a chic area in Buenos Aires with low-rise buildings, cobblestone streets, and lush gardens.

Palermo has beautiful parks and gardens as well as interesting plazas and statues. Palermo “Chico” is the exclusive upmarket part of the neighborhood, with “dazzling old palatial homes” and enormous oak-trees.

Neighboring Barrio Parque is strictly a residential area with lovely winding “tree-lined streets and leafy surroundings”. Many wealthy, famous people live there. MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art) is nearby in Palermo.

The center of Palermo Hollywood is Plaza Serrano, a small oval park. People gather in the park at night for impromptu singing and guitar sessions. The name Palermo Hollywood comes from the Argentine film studios that liked the area for its cheap rents and easy parking.

Palermo Soho is known for boutiques owned by local designers. Historically, both SoHo and Hollywood were places where Middle Eastern immigrants settled. Their presence is prominent in Palermo’s businesses, restaurants, and community centers. The lakes and parks in Palermo Woods are beautiful as are the exquisite Botanical and Japanese Gardens.

Recoleta

I’m renting a studio in Recoleta and make progress exploring more of its delights every day. It’s north of the City Center and shares borders with Almagro, Palermo, and Retiro.

Recoleta has stately homes and plush hotels. It’s considered the most affluent neighborhood in Buenos Aires and is an area of “immense historical interest”.

The barrio became popular in the late 18th century when an outbreak of yellow fever in the southern suburbs forced people to move north. Those who migrated divided large estates into smaller plots in a residential barrio. Many built stately homes on their land.

A Recoleta highlight is famous Recoleta Cemetery. Covering about 600,000 sq. ft. (14 acres) the cemetery is a mini village of tombs. Some are lavish and others crumbling. The cemetery is the resting place of Argentina’s most important families and includes the tomb of Eva Peron, also known as Evita, and writer Jose Hernandez. Nuestra Señora del Pilar is a brilliant white church in the cemetery. It symbolizes the heart of the barrio. I’ll be writing a post on fascinating Recoleta Cemetery.

Some of the museums and cultural attractions in Recoleta include a center with art displays, concerts, theatrical performances, workshops and festivals. Recoleta is also home to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, displaying work by Goya and Rembrandt. Like Palermo, Recoleta has many plazas and parks. Plaza Francia is popular for its weekend artisan market Feria de Artesanos de Plaza Francia, commonly known as the ‘Hippy Fair’. Parque Carlos Thays and Plaza Justo José de Urquiza are also popular Recoleta parks.

Almagro

Yesterday was my introduction to Almagro, a unique area of Buenos Aires that my tour guide, Ceri, knew well. The middle-class neighborhood is named after wealthy Spaniard Juan María de Almagro y de la Torre, who once controlled portions of Almagro. Interesting Balvanera and Boedo neighborhoods border Almagro. Italian and Basque immigrants urbanized Almagro, and today it’s a busy commercial hub. Known as the “real Buenos Aires,” Almagro is considered more authentically Porteño than other neighborhoods.

More later….