Not quite the Paris of the South, but still worthy of a visit (Sights & Attractions in Buenos Aires)

Member Name: tiaw

Product:	Sights & Attractions in Buenos Aires
Date:	20/06/07 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Colour, Culture, Experience

Disadvantages: Safety

We take a yellow and black painted 'radio taxi' to the docks area, near the Pink House. The Pink House is where the executive branch of government meet. Exactly opposite, at the very end of the long July 9th avenue (the widest in the world, lined with hundreds of matching trees and some of the city's more upmarket shops), is the nation's congress. A massive obolisque stands in between the two. It's also where Eva Peron stood and spoke to the Argentinian people during her show of power in 1951. This is a famous scene in a certain Madonna film as well, but not being a fan, I havn't watched it.

It is, to say the least, very pink, and is apparently so because it merges the colours of the two opposing political parties. At the back there's a courtyard, trees and park area. It's all very quiet and.... quaintly Argentinian, or at least what I might have expected. The colonial influence is obvious, yet it's more of a welcome mutation than outright Spanishness itself.

The people (despite the hotheaded reputation) are generally friendly and quite welcoming. Although I notice a few tourist police on the beat, the renowned threat to personal safety never feels terribly relevant. There are some beggars, especially following the collapse of the economy in the early 2000's. They tend to approach you in a way no more threatening than in Europe. It was great to be out and about in Argentina's capital, especially on foot.

We walk around gardens' and square's, enjoying the relaxed Sunday atmosphere as well as to the harbour area. As I drifted through the Buenos Aires streets, it was still hard to believe where I actually was and what I was actually experiencing. On the way back, we see a man on the street lieing with a woman aiding him. He had blood coming out of his side, from what appeared to be a number of bullet holes. Police and an ambulence crew were rushing to meet him.

We pick up on a tour, on which we are joined by citizens of Peru, Colombia, Paraguay, Ecuador and England! It basically provided transport to the different neighbourhoods such as San Telmo and La Boca and left you to wander around.

We walk through a series of latin market areas - each meant to be less than secure - although this edge of danger almost makes the experience more visceral. In La Boca, everything is brilliantly colourful.

Old men sit with cigars playing chess on the corners of streets, kids play table football by the side of the road, posters and murals of every possible political, religious and even musical persuasion cover the cracked walls. There is a strong old town feel, like you really are stepping back in time.

We stop off to visit La Bombonera Stadium (or the Chocolate box), home of Boca Juniors, which to football fans is the famous blue and yellow seated arena, still half terraced.

The city centre itself is a case of 'see how many streets you can cram in', yet it has an undeniable character and essence. The wider streets remind me of more grand European boulevards, while the congested inner city definatly feels darker, more dirty and less safe.

I wouldn't say Buenos Aires is the Paris of the south, simply because it doesn't have as many obvious sites. But in terms of atmosphere, people and culture, it equals and surpasses many. There is a definate trend of modern development - seeing a flashy Microsoft skycraper next to a filthy old colonial building sums it all up perfectly.

But for some, the change is far from adequate and there is a lot of visible poverty, especially in the form of slums towards the outskirts.

Argentina appears to be closer to a 'second world' country, a universe away from the mud hut starvation of Kenya, but clearly not Europe. You still see guys with torn clothes trying to sell week old newspapers and silly toys at traffic lights.

Summary: A refreshing mutation of outright Spanishness