Today, we hired a guide [who had a car & driver] to show us some areas of BA which we had not seen. It was a good idea as we were able to get a taste of several barrios in the city. First we went up to see the main government buildings, historical and in current use. Then we went off to the sort of places I really enjoy, places of color and vibrancy. First, we went to San Telmo, where the Tango apparently originated and where there are artistic remembrances painted all over various walls [murals are quite popular in this city as a form of artistic expression]. I really enjoyed all the wall art and the various signs and doors. Then we went onto La Boca, which is the area where the Italian immigrants settled and which replicates the colors sometimes found in places of Italy [made me think particularly of Burano]. These two barrios were very enjoyable, and a great diversion from what I thought BA was full of, tall, eight-plus storied apartment buildings. The pictures below are from today’s meanderings. Fortunately, the weather today was perfect – in the 60’s, sunny [by late morning] and I’m hoping it stays this way for the rest of our time here.
