Another scene in La Boca.
Wednesday 20th July
Well, who would have expected an Agricultural Show in the middle of B.A. when we were here? We just stumbled across it yesterday, but due late afternoon fatigue, returned to have a look around this morning. It was a mini version of our Field Days mixed up with regional A&P show held on a permanent site (owned by Rural Argentina). We spent a couple of hours wandering around, watching cattle and horses being judged and seeing what was on offer for the agricultural world of S.A. We did take quite some time before we located the dairy cows and there wasn't much in the line of dairy farm machinery but it gave A.J. a little 'fix'. All the animals were very placid, all in inside pens with pathways of hay (a bit like a red carpet) laid down for them to walk along to and from the parade ground. Pigs, sheep, hens, rabbits, dairy and beef cattle, gauchoes riding horses, and probably a few breeds we didn't see. 'All Flex' was the only sign of a N.Z. company represented but little sign of any Kiwis there.
The other interesting place we went to today was the Recoleta Cemetery. Now A.J. had other opinions from 'interesting' but I found the opulence of the whole thing amazing. We 'think' there were 296 plots which represent families who have purchased a plot over the past .....100 years. These plots are 'mini' palaces, 3 to 4 m high (and cellars going underground)with ornate architecture and sculptures containing 8 or more coffins with bodies (or maybe some ashes)with room for further members of the family to be added at appropriate times. The most famous plot is owned by the 'Peron' family containing Evita's body. But there are other famous graves as well. It was like visiting a small township of roadways .....a photo should come up on the blog and you will appreciate what I am describing.
Yesterday we took a tour of the Opera House. Now this is one incredible building. Build at the beginning of the 20th century when Argentina (the 8th largest country) was infact the 7th richest in the world. Its major lacking was population. To entice immigrants from Europe, they decided to build some impression buildings so that the Europeans would 'feel at home' in a country that was inviting them to make it their home. It took over a decade with 3 changes of European architects (2 died) and every product in the construction was brought over from Europe - marble (HEAPS of it), stained glass, painting for the ceilings, chandaliers, tiles etc. It is 6? stories high with a further 2 or 3 going underground. It seats 2500 with room for another 500 standing.
Buenos Aires has a few more buildings (we are yet to see) that imitate famous European or American buildings - all part of the plot to entice immigrants. The main thoroughfare of the city is 10 lanes wide, with three divisions - the mayor of the late 1800 wanted a road to mimic Paris and initiated the development of what is the world widest road. It takes quite some effort to cross!
Last night we had our second taste of Tango. It was in our restaurant we chose (purposely) for dinner. A young couple doing several dance routines at a time. We had tried earlier to go to the Tango Museum for a bit of research gathering, but it was entirely in Spanish without an English booklet for explanation, so we left uninformed. Actually yesterday there were a couple of other non-events for us too. We walked miles to an art exhibition that was finished the day before (as was advertised in the tourist mag) and then we discovered that the Planetarium (after another couple of kms) was also closed - for renovations. Today has been more successful - and tomorrow, we are off to Uruguay for the day :-).
Back from Uruguay – lovely day, cute settlement to wander around but the outing was a little uninspiring. Of course Uruguay is on top of the world at the mo with their team being finalists in the Copa Soccer Cup after beating Argentina in the quarter finals. The ‘final’ is to be played in nearby La Plata, Sunday night and A.J. has just discovered that the Uruguayan Team is staying opposite – loads of noise out on the street just before. We will not be here for the event.
Friday- and we spent the day on the tourist bus checking out the part of the city we hadn’t yet explored and today, our last day in B.A. we have been around the colourful streets of La Boca. (including a look into La Boca Juniors Museum and their home stadium). Today was the pick of the days weather wise, so we sampled some more Tango in the plaza of San Telmo (our home base) on the way home. Oops, forgot to mention that we went out for dinner and a show of Tango last night – mediocre food but great dancing and music. We have DEFINITELY been put off even attempting Tango after seeing what it really involves!
Of to Chile tomorrow.
Cheers - Viv and A.J.
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