Today is the first full day in the city. The temperature very comfortable at 75 degrees and the skies are clear and sunny. An excellent day to do a little exploring around the city. The problems of yesterday, though devastating, will not be allowed to ruin our vacation. My friend, is lucky that most of the photos were downloaded to an ipad and hopefully, reside in the mythical offsite storage system referred to as the “cloud”. The camera was an older one that will not fetch much cash for its thieves. Perhaps poetic justice will win the day.
The areas we will walk to are in the affluent sections of Buenos Aires called Ricoleto and Palermo. Ricoleto are especially trendy with it old European buildings and tree lined streets which remind one of Paris. Palermo is a little further away so we will only see a little of it but is surround by Parks, museums, and restaurants. Our first stop in Ricoleto was a cemetery call Cemetario de la Ricoleta. It’s adjacent to the church we encountered yesterday evening. Some of Buenos Aires most famous and wealthy residents are buried there. There are countless mausoleums. Lots of Madonna sculptures in every pose. See a small section of the cemetery below.
One of its most internationally famous residents is Eva Peron (derisively called Evita). If you don’t recognized the name then perhaps you remember the Broadway musical called “Evita !”. There was a famous song in the musical called “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”. She was first lady of Argentina in the 1950’s, a position from which she wielded great power behind the scenes. She was a labor unionist and a feminist who pushed for the rights of women in Argentina The government is still sensitive about her legacy. She was buried in the simple family mausoleum under the surname Duarte in a veiled attempt to bury her anomalously and figuratively from the national history. Today her accomplishments are appreciated. See the photos below:
Eva Peron’s Burial Site
Name Plate on Side of Door
We spent the rest of the day trying to find a famous Jewish synagogue in that area. I am sure we will find it in our next attempt. After World War II the Argentinian government offered refuge to Jews. They also offered sanctuary to those of German descent, some of whom may have had National Socialist Party (NAZI’s) affiliations. As a result there are remnants of Jewish presence in the country as well as Italians, and other European nationals. “One big happy family” I’d say.
Signs of affluence. Professional dog walkers everywhere!! The dogs are big breeds. “big dog, big house”!
Signs of Affluence
Another odd observation. See the leaning tree support by a post. Apparently, they love their trees.
Tree held up by a post.
Some interior shots of our hotel. Great place, most of the front desk enjoy their jobs.
This is funny. The all night convenience store proprietor dispenses your orders from behind a steel gate through a hole in the security gate. See the square hole.
Saw this wall of glass bottles in a bar while out to dinner.
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