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Buenos Aires (“Fair Winds”)
is the capital of Argentina. Its’ port – he gateway
to Argentina for centuries - has absorbed a lot of European
culture. With its' wide boulevards, leafy parks and
grand buildings, the city feels a bit like Paris or Barcelona.
Actually, it gets referred to as the "Paris of the South" or
"Paris of South America" and is one of the most refined
cities in South America, with rich architecture, vibrant night life
and diversified cultural activities.
The inhabitants are known as
porteños (people of the port). They stem from all
over the world, mostly with European origins. Primarily from Spain and
Italy, but also Germany, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, France,
Romania and Ukraine. the surrounding South American countries and
lately also Arab and East Asian origin. Buenos Aires also hosts the
largest Jewish community of South America. The mixture results
in an elaborate and rich cultural identity.
There is no really dominating
monument, but the city is a patchwork of many small places,
typical details.. occasional events and happenings. Ultra modern
skyscrapers bow over 19th century Victorian houses and in the
barrio tango bars and antique shops mingle abundently.
Built around the Plaza de Mayo (with
amongst others the Government House, the
Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo
or town hall), the city is divided into approx. 50
barrios (neighborhoods) for administrative purposes, with
La Boca (perhaps the most colorful area,
sitting along the port and consisting of a varied assortment of
brightly painted low houses made of wood and metal),
San Telmo (with cobblestone streets and
colonial buildings, shops and boutiques, tango parlors and cafes),
Recoleta (Eva Peron's final resting place
Cementario de la Recoleta, Our Lady of the Pilar
Church, the Cultural Center, and the
Palais de Glace, a major gallery and the Pilar,
full of restaurants and venues featuring live music ...),
Palermo (woods and lakes, on large park composed of
many small ones, polo fields, and the Japanese Garden
…).... as the most famous ones. Also visit one of the estancia's
(argentine ranches) and have some traditional food, live folk
music and dancing. Attend exhibitions of gaucho
horseback skills ...
Football (amongst others Boca
Juniors and River Plate), race track, fine arts and music (i.e.
Teatro Colon), theatre and music, Zoo, botanical
garden, parks and squares, tango, china town … you will never get
bored.
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