Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires (population 3,000,000) is a city that claims to have everything.  Its architecture embraces colonial style, neo-classical style and avant guarde style.  It has luxury and poverty; tango and techno; polo and soccer; Maradona and Messi (soccer stars); and chaos and tranquility.  The locals speak Spanish, but with an Italian accent -- very charming.

We took a city highlights bus tour through the sprawling city which is made up of various districts.  Fortunately, we were in Buenos Aires on a Sunday which made for a quieter day to tour this bustling metropolis.  We began our tour in the Palermo District viewing parks and botanical gardens with impressive public art and sculptures.

Impressive public art -- a solar powered lotus flower
that closes up at night

French architecture prevalent throughout Buenos Aires

Next, we drove to the Recoleta District to visit the famous La Recoleta Cemetary which was like a city of mausoleums where the historical, political, rich and famous Argentines are interred.  It is here that Eva Peron ("Evita") rests.  She died at the age of 33 from cancer in 1952.  She was the wife of President Juan Peron and was a champion of the poor.  Her life was portrayed in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita.  Madonna played the lead role in the movie featuring the song Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.

Lane of elaborate mausoleums in the famous cemetary

Eva Peron's family mausoleum

Eva Peron's marker which is a popular historic site

We stopped on the famous Avenida de Mayo for coffee and croissants at the historic Café Tortoni, one of the most traditional cafes in Buenos Aires.  Afterwards, we drove along the magnificent 9th of July Avenue reputedly the widest boulevard on Earth with a total of 14 lanes.  They say that it is so wide that by the time a pedestrian crosses all the lanes, he forgets the reason he wanted to get across!

Historic Café Tortoni

Enjoying coffee and croissants in Café Tortoni

Widest avenue on Earth (14 lanes + median)

 We drove to the Plaza de Mayo to see the stately Government Palace and to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral which was Pope Francis' church before he became a cardinal, then elected as Pope.  We were fortunate to visit the Cathedral on Sunday while a service was in progress and hear the beautiful choir music resonate through the church as we toured.

Presidential Palace

Balcony where Eva Peron spoke to the masses
and scene where Madonna sang
"Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" as Evita

Metropolitan Cathedral where Pope Francis ministered

Argentina has endured a turbulent political history, particularly during the years of military oppression in the 1970s and early 1980s.  An estimated 30,000 people disappeared during that difficult time.  Even today, every Thursday mothers wearing white headscarves ("Madres de Plaza de Mayo") walk in silence for 1 hour around the Plaza to ask for the return of the lost children.  The public is invited to walk along with them in their peaceful protest.

Weeping Mothers Monument

Headscarves stamped into the brick walkway mark
the path for the Weeping Mothers who march here
every Thursday in peaceful protest to find their lost children

We finished our tour by driving to the La Boca District which is a colorful, artsy area.  Old tin warehouses have been brightly painted in bold colors and now house art galleries, shops and cafes.  Tango music and dancers were performing all around the cobblestone streets.  Also, there are these weird, whimsical cartoon-like statues all around which add to the festive atmosphere.

Colorful old buildings in the La Boca District

Colorful and Festive

Cartoon-like statues adorn the balconies

Brian with soccer legend Maradona

Statue (not a real waiter) welcoming patrons

On the way back to our ship we drove past the new trendy district called Puerto Madero where old abandoned warehouses have been renovated and made into expensive luxury condominiums, shops and fine dining restaurants.  For all of its economic woes, there must be some money coming into this area of Argentina!

Modern skyline of Buenos Aires

Sailing away from Buenos Aires on the Rio de la Plata

Contemporary architecture of Buenos Aires

We have repeatedly heard that Buenos Aires is a fabulous city to visit.  Well, it lived up to the hype.  We would love to come back someday for a longer visit.