Argentina 2009

Thursday3rdDecember

Here we are. Last stop of this great Argentine journey! We are in Buenos Aires for barely two days. Tomorrow night we fly to France!

On the third attempt in our hotel search, it's a success! We drop our bags at the friendly youth hostel "About Baires Hostel".

We'll briefly see the capital, today the center and tomorrow the "Recoleta" cemetery.

On the left, the obelisk of Buenos Aires. On the right, the obelisk of Santa Claus! Hey yes, Christmas is already in 3 weeks! And regardless of the heat, Santa Claus is in his red suit!  

The domes of the "Galerías Pacífico" by painters Berni, Spilimbergo and Castagnino.

Daylight is fading, it's time for Tango to invite itself into the streets! The Porteños (the inhabitants of Buenos Aires...) and passing tourists let themselves be seduced by these languorous dance steps to the sounds of accordions and other music boxes.

Tango is danced in pairs. It is an improvisation dance, in the sense that steps are not planned in advance to be repeated sequentially, but where the two partners walk together in an impromptu direction at each moment, chosen by the leader, but whose energy is also influenced by both partners."
© Wikipedia

Tango was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on September 30, 2009.

But Tango knows how to give way to Salsa...

A small pass by the obelisk before going to sleep.

Friday4thDecember

Last Argentine day! Today, continuation of the visit of the capital up to the Recoleta cemetery.

The obelisk was inaugurated on this Plaza de la República in 1936. It measures 67.5 meters.

It is the seat of the Senate and deputies.

Several immense rubber trees line the capital. They are gomeros or Ficus macrophylla, rubber trees.

The "Avenuda de Mayo" metro entrance

May 25, 1810. Historic day of the first Argentine government.

In front of the "casa rosada", the statue of Manuel Belgrano, the creator of the Argentine flag.

Looking at the grenadier on the left, the relief is not ready to arrive...  

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires
Although resembling a temple, it is indeed a Catholic church. Its architecture is inspired by the Palais Bourbon in Paris

Photo on the left: the mausoleum where "el Libertador" José de San Martín rests.

Right photo: "Nuestra Señora de los desamparados".

Snif! My last "lomo con papas fritas"!  

We take the subway, heading north of the city towards the Recoleta neighborhood.

"expectamus dominum", the entrance to "cementerio de la Recoleta"

This cemetery is the Argentine "Père Lachaise". Curious way for us to end this trip, it doesn't stop us from strolling through these alleys lining the various family vaults.

Cats have found a soothing place conducive to quiet naps there...

This walk must pass by the "Duarte" vault, family of the famous Eva Perón, known as "Evita". The famous first lady of Argentina died in 1952. She was embalmed then displayed. Following the overthrow of her husband, her body was taken to Italy then to Spain. It was only in 1976 that her body was repatriated and buried in this vault.

Only a ray of sun could wake this still sleeping feline from its slumber...

Frozen in time, this kneeler watches over a coffin. In plain sight, this very real tableau offers itself to visitors who cast shy glances beyond the doors of the vaults, naively hoping to brush against a piece of the deceased's life.

La iglesia Nuestra Señora del Pilar, a small chapel from 1732 attached to the cemetery.

Behind a showcase, the relics of two saints

Finally, this gomero over 200 years old, so immense that it is supported by wooden beams.
From the top of this tree, 200 years of history contemplate us!  

Buenos Aires airport...
Memories begin where holidays end! And what memories!!!