Julie Nagler – Argentina & Uruguay -The First Week
Shockingly, this weekend officially marks the end of my first week in Argentina! It somehow simultaneously feels like we’ve just hopped off the plane and like strolling down la Calle Florida and frequenting the local cafes for years. Either way, though, we managed to pack a whole lot of adventure into our few days here.
We kicked it off on Monday with a bus tour of the city where we explored the Casa Rosada (The Buenos Aires equivalent of the White House), the Plaza De Mayo (a large center where many political demonstrations take place), and the Catedral Metropolitana (a beautifully and ornately decorated cathedral with a gorgeous statue of the revered San Martin). The biggest takeaway from this tour, though, is that Buenos Aires is huge. We covered about two of the forty eight neighborhoods in the city, each with their own attractions and distinct identities. Our tour guide explained that here in Buenos Aires, one’s neighborhood is a deeply ingrained part of his identity, particularly if he has participated in a soccer team or club in which case the colors of his team run “a través de su corazón”, or through his heart. I found this intriguing as I feel that this is not always the case in the United States. For example, for me, growing up in Concord, MA was great and all, but I wouldn’t exactly go as far as to say that the colors of my suburban streets run a través de mi corazón.
Of everything else we did this week, the three excursions that stick out most in my mind were our visits to La Boca, El Teatro Colon, y La Ventana – Barrio Del Tango. The most appropriate way to describe La Boca is simply an explosion of color. Remember when you were little and asked your mom if you could paint your house like a rainbow and she rolled her eyes and said no? If she had said “yes, and please invite your 30 friends to do the same thing, and don’t hold back”, La Boca would be the result. The streets are also equipped with scattered fine art and soft Italian music. El Teatro Colon, albeit much more sophisticated, was equally amazing. It’s the biggest opera house in Buenos Aires and the third best in the world. The inside was tastefully decorated with paintings, sculptures, mirrors, chandeliers with over 200 light bulbs, and more. As if a tour of the Teatro wasn’t enough, we also got a sneak peek at a rehearsal for one of the brand new operas which made me so appreciative of the all the talent and hard work that goes into these shows.
Speaking of talent, I have never been more in awe of pure talent than when we were watching professionals do the dance of Argentina, el Tango. Last night, after we attended a Tango class in which I learned that I scratch “dancer” permanently off my list of potential careers, we had the opportunity to watch a show that had singers, tango dancers clad in stunning sequined dresses, Andean music, and even a hint of comedy. I was completely entranced by the dancers’ chemistry, their complex steps and ability to respond to the changing rhythms of the music, and most of all their ability to somehow make it all look effortless.
I am utilizing my Sunday to relax and rest up for this week as I know it will be another week full of adventure.
