Downtown Buenos Aires has the most awesome structures that resemble european cities. After all many of the immigrants who live here came from europe during the war and after the deppression. Argentines is a culture that is mixed with many different ethnic groups. You will see this over and over again as you visit the different neighborhoods.
Many of the streets in which these grand buildings are built on have small sidewalks and no more than two and a half feet widths and two people at a time can walk side by side or pass before having to step off of the curb into the busy street which has on coming cars. This particular structure sits adjacent to the Catedral Subte, and Catedral church which you can see in the photo with the enormous columns. Just minutes a way across the street you will enter into Plaza De Mayo.
Plaza De Mayo is the epic center for demostrations and home of the Pink house which is centrally located. This grand building is the place where the President of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner works. Unlike the United States Presidents, she do not live there. The house has gone through some unique changes in reference to color. In North America we have theWhite House, and in Argentina they have the Pink house and it is not because the president is a women. Matter of fact, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is the succesor after her husband who was president before her.
Just outside the Pink walls twenty five feet away is the Plaza De Mayo Park where you can sit, people watch, eat lunch on while sitting on a bench, or feed the pigeons while the cool breeze brush across your face. Not to mention, almost every other day, there is a demonstration in the Plaza. If you want to be heard or want change Plaza De Mayo is the place to rally. I must say it is powerful, the signs never come down. The demostrators want justice, and they want it Now!!
After you visited the Plaza De Mayo and have been educated about the political issues, Just five minutes up the road heading north on Avenida De Mayo you will find the famos Cafe Tortoni which has been there since 1858. This place has a wealth of history, and great place to have cafe con leche, Lunch, and dinner coupled with a brilliant Tango show. I must say I was totally blown away. It is a must see.
To the right is the inside main floor of Cafe Tortoni. It is filled with the remnants of old photos, original chandeliers from the 1800's, and original wood panels. You will get the oportunity to see, and learn about the history of CafeTortoni when you walk in the door. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.They also have an amazing Tango show which is an additional price with dinner. If you are frugal, you can see Tango Dancers, and amazing musicians that entertain for hours on the streets of downtown Buenos Aires.
You did some of the most important parts of BA! The best thing to do in Buenos Aires is going to Plaza de Mayo. This plaza has been at the center of every major political event in Argentine history, from Presidential proclamations, to Evita addressing the masses, to protests, to the mournful demonstrations by the "Mothers of the Disappeared". I would rent furnished apartments in buenos aires just to find out more about this square and its history.
ReplyDeleteLindsay