Friday, February 19, 2010

BUENOS AIRES REDUX



Well, we're back in Buenos Aires to close our trip. Today, a few images I didn't get into the earlier posts: a couple of cool buildings, and a few tourist cliches such as the obelisk above. I don't get why every city thinks it has to have one, and why every city says theirs is the biggest. Hmm... don't think I'll go there.

One thing do like to see, though, are national art galleries. The one in Buenos Aires is fantastic. While the first floor is second-rate paintings by major world artists, the second floor devoted to Argentinian art is amazing. A lot of social comment in the realistic works. I remember especially a terrific piece from the 19th century: a man, woman and nursing child sit at their empty table and watch workers going off to the mine. I think its English title would read "No Job, No Food". Anyway, here's the gallery -- and just five minutes from our hotel.



Politics is ever-present. the grandmothers, mothers and wives of the disappeared continue to press for justice outside the presidential palace, as do soldiers from the Maldives/Faulklands war.



The economy ravages once grand buildings:



But there are still plenty of stunners:





Here, by the way, is The Haunted Tower. It's in the La Boca area. I've searched everywhere to find out why it's haunted. In my fractured Spanish I think I heard a local hairdresser tell me there was an actress who killed herself (or her aunt) there in the twenties. Anybody out there know the true story?



And, of course, ghosts brings me back to Recoleta cemetery and a cool tomb that missed my first entry:



Last shot today is from the land of the living, specifically Tigre, a suburb on accessible only by water. Indeed most of the homes are on individual islands too.



Tomorrow, I'm going to end the Argentina series with shots of the Botanical Gardens and national zoo. Then It's back to Canada and a few posts on writing as I get ready for the launch of my new novel, BORDERLINE!

Till then,

Allan

3 comments:

  1. Hey! Great pics!
    I've never been in Argentina, but luckly in October I'll be living in some Buenos Aires apartments of some relatives, so I hope I can take so beautiful pictures like you took :)
    I wanted to ask you for recommendatiosn and suggestions for my trip.. if you don't mind, of course

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  2. Amy, hi --

    I highly recommend that you take three days to go to Iguazu Falls. Also, go to Salta and from there take some tours through the mountains -- the Humahuaca gorge is spectacular. went with Argentina Activa -- just me and my partner with a driver/guide. Well, well worth it.

    In B.A. I stayed in the Recoleta area which is very nice. Make sure to see the Argentinian art on the second floor of the national art gallery. And enjy Fredo's ice cream -- all the ice cream is good. I especially liked the restaurant Fever.

    Enjoy!

    Allan

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  3. P.S. Amy -- I meant the restaurant Fervour, not Fever. :) 5 minute walk to the cemetery. Beautiful area of town.

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