BUENOS AIRES: DAYS 1-3

B.A. THURSDAY

I am located in ´microcentro´of B.A. Buenos Aires, as from the flight into the airport and the transfer into the city, seems much more flat than either Sao Paulo or Rio. The city is spread along the Rio de la Plata which seems more like a bay-estuary off of the Atlantic Ocean. Across the Rio de la Plata is Montevideo, Uraguay.

Laid out in a orthagonal grid, the main thoroughfare of the city centre is the Avenida 9 de Julio. There are 2 major avenues perpendicular to this avenue--they are Avenida de Mayo and the Avenida Corrientes. The Casa Rosada (the ´pink house´ think Evita) and the Palacio del Congreso are at the ends of the Avenida de Mayo. In front of the Casa Rosada is the Plaza de Mayo where protests are held every day in this open space now dedicated solely for this purpose. Protests began (or so I was told) when the national government murdered some of its own citizens. The mothers of the fallen took to this Plaza and placed hoods over thier heads and marched silently...the space has been used for this purpose ever since. Opposite the Casa Rosada is the original government building when the city was settled and is open as a museum today. Congress now resides in the Palacio del Congreso.

There are two diagonals from this Plaza-the major diagonal connects the plaza-Casa Rosada with Avenida 9 de Julio. The significance of the Avenida 9 de Julio is this date marks the Argentinian independence from Spain (1816). At 12 lanes in width, it takes some patience to get from one side to the other...these mega avenues I am finding are fairly common in B.A. At the junction of this, the diagonal, and the Corrientes Ave. is the Obelisco. The Obelisco signifies three of the city´s key historical events: the foundation of B.A., the declaration of the city as the capital, and to mark the location where the first Argentinian flag was flown.

Ok..enough history.

I have basically spent these three days visiting major city districts in which to orient myself. Unfortunately, some of the sights I am wanting to see are closed, and one happen to be open but the lady looked at me and said ´mañana´...I guess she didn´t have time for the gringo. bi-atch!

The upscale part of the city is called Palermo and it is here that the embassies, major parks, and other cultural institutions are. I was able to see some great galleries and one museum in particular, MALBA (Museu de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires) had a great temporary exhibition on Mexican Art. (I am also learning the inuendos of South America´s thoughts of Central American--specifically Mexico..not good) The permanant collection is worthwhile, too.

The building is nice, but not noteworthy. I was impressed to find out that this building and museum are privately funded-hence the more than normal entrance fee, but still a bargain. After seeing the two collections, I was able to find some of the building´s exterior terraces where I could finally enjoy some warmer temperatures and some brief sun...It was a nice visit and if you find yourself in B.A., you should see this collection.