The European feel to Buenos Aires stems both from its population and its architecture. There are plenty of buildings like these around (most not so colourful) with a colonial flavour. These are mixed in with more modern apartments and shops, like this internet cafe which I used yesterday (not a great photo, but it's pretty typical).
To the east of the city, towards the Río de la Plata, is Puerto Madero, which is a kind of combo of London's Docklands and Dubai. Lots of construction of new towers, and a cleansed, commercial atmosphere. Overpriced restaurant chains are in abundance (e.g. Hooters), although it seems that (perhaps since the area is so safe at night) it's where the wealthy Porteños bring their families, and there are plenty of people pushing prams about and kids running around. There is a famous bridge across 'Dique No. 3', the Puente de la Mujer, which some say looks like a woman doing the Tango. Perhaps.
Buenos Aires bears its scars, for well or ill. In similar way to other cities that mark victims of unjust regimes, the streets of BA include memorials to those who disappeared or were killed by the government during the Guerra Sucia.
These plaques are reasonably common.
No comments:
Post a Comment