A Tour of Buenos Aires

Yesterday, in a two hour guided bus tour I got to see what else exists in Buenos Aires beyond the four blocks I normally cover near the B.A.U.E.N. hotel.

Our tour began with a stop at the Plaza de Mayo, the center of the city. In addition to being surrounded by some of the Buenos Aires´ most famous buildings like the Catedral Metropolitana, Banco de la Nación (Nation’s Bank) and the Casa Rosada (Pink Government House) the area continues to host many political events. For example, every Thursday the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, a gathering of women who pray for their missing relatives from the 1980’s military rule, come together.

Next as we headed to see the city´s barrios (neighborhoods- La Boca, Recoleta, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, Palermo, and El Centro), we passed by the Obelisco, Buenos Aires’ famous monument, located on the world´s widest street,the Avenida 9 de Julio.

Although all the neighborhoods mentioned have something speacial about them, my personal favorite is San Telmo due its many artsy stores, indoor fleamarkets, old mansions, cafés, and bohemian nightlife. (On Sunday from 10am to 6pm, it is also a site of tango).

Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires´ port, was also really scenic and fun to see. I especially thought the two colonial ships ( the Corbeta Uruguay and the Fragata Sarmiento from the Argentine Armado) and the Puente de La Mujer ( an abstract bridge) were fascinating sites.

Our final visit was an excursión of the recoleta cemetary which holds bodies of once highly powerful individuals. One beloved soul resting in the cemetery is Eva Duarte de Peron, who more than 50 years after her death, is still a world icon.

Picture source: www.windsorschools.co.uk