The short two hour flight from Foz do Iguacu to Buenos Aires was straight forward.
Buenos Aires is a lovely city, and very easy to navigate - at least the part we visited. We spent the first morning touring the city in the bus with the local guide, then we spent 3-4 hours in the afternoon wandering through the central part of the city on our own. The architecture appears to be very French.
The obelisk in Plaza de Mayo marks the beginning of Argentina’s War of Independence in 1810.
Plaza de Mayo is the central square of Buenos Aries where political protests occur frequently. Our local guide was surprised it was quiet when we were there. The large public building in the photos below is the Government House and the Presidential office.
The balcony to the left of the middle of the building is from where Eva Peron made some of her well known speeches supporting her husband Juan Domingo Peron, who was President from 1946 to 1955. It’s an interesting story. More details later - or check Wikipedia.
Also fronting onto Plaza De Mayo is the Metropolitan Cathedral, notable because it is where Jorge Bergoglio (Pope Francis) was archbishop for 15 years.
Then we visited the shantytown part of Buenos Aires, now famous for two reasons: as the birthplace of the Tango dance style and where Diego Maradona grew up. The whole area is very colourful but the soccer grounds and buildings around it are painted in the blue and yellow colours of La Boca.
The area trades heavily on Maradona, Eva Peron and Pope Francis with images and caricatures everywhere.
Tourists are welcomed into shops and arcades by Maradona and Francisco, and some of the images are ordinary to say the least.
The locals claim that this is where Tango originated and the Tango hustlers are out and about.
You can have your photo taken with a Tango dancer - for a price of course. So the photos were distant and rushed so that I wouldn’t be asked for payment. A true cheapskate!
It is a vibrant part of town but our guide was adamant that tourists should go there only in daylight hours when police and security are everywhere. Security withdraw at a given time so safety is not guaranteed.
A visit to Buenos Aires naturally includes going to the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. A fascinating story, worth checking out, but for a woman born 'illegitimately' and in poverty, who died at age 33 with cancer, to have such an impact on her country is, indeed, a remarkable story. She married Juan Peron just before he was elected President in 1945. She worked tirelessly to help the poor workers in the nation.
The entrance to the cemetery is grand. There are no new 'plots' available but buying and selling of existing ones occurs.
As with any real estate, the wider the street and grander the mausoleum then the more you pay. Some plots apparently cost close to $1million USD, and the purchaser expects the site to be vacant.
It's like a regular city, with the streets and alleyways, but one would assume that supply of water and power along with rubbish collection is less complicated.
Of course, tour guides have a range of stories to tell.
Of course, tour guides have a range of stories to tell.
The mausoleum of Eva Peron has a constant procession of visitors. Her family name was Duarte and she is buried over 7 metres (Yes, 27 feet!) below, so that grave robbers etc don't stand a chance, given that her body was kidnapped and possibly brutalised after Juan Peron was deposed in 1955.
The major road through Buenos Aires is called 9th July Avenue, in honour of their Independence Day, declared on 9 July 1816.
The road is 144 m wide and has 4 lanes for buses down the middle along with shelters and other infrastructure. Cars have 2 lanes each way on the outside of this.
Last day in Buenos Aires started slowly with a short walk in drizzling rain to visit the Opera House.
Apparently the Opera House theatre seats 2500 people and the acoustics are so perfect that no amplification is used. However, there are no performances in January or February because it’s too hot and uncomfortable. They will not install air conditioning because it would interfere with the acoustics.
The Tour was booked out, so Plan B? It was a long walk for about an hour in drizzling rain ...
The Tour was booked out, so Plan B? It was a long walk for about an hour in drizzling rain ...
... to visit the Eva Peron Museum.
The museum is established in one of the houses allegedly set up by Eva Peron to cater for women who were either homeless or escaping abuse.
She is still revered by many for her achievements and for being the ‘spiritual leader of the country’ despite dying at 33 years of age. (I notice she was born on 7th May 1919, one day before my father, Ron, so 100 years has just ticked over since birth)
The Ateneo is an old theatre re-purposed as a stunning bookshop. The stage is a coffee shop and cafe ...
... and the balconies have specialised book categories.
Escalators have been added to access music and kids' books downstairs.
