Buenos Aires ~ Argentina Travel Pictures & Info

Avenida 9 De Julio Obelisk ~ Heart  Buenos Aires

Since my Buenos Aires city map was laid out with west at the top instead of the customary north, this landmark Obelisco (Obelisk) over the vendor's shoulder kept me from getting lost. My hotel (the Bristol) was only a block away. The Obelisk is in the middle of the 16 or so lanes of traffic that make up Avenue 9 De Julio, billed as the World's Widest Street (425 feet (130 meters), which runs north-south.

Portenos, as the city's inhabitants are called, are quick to point out that this includes two parallel streets. Most of the pedestrian crosswalks over the various lanes are controlled by street lights, but for a few of them weren't. In those cases, I waited for someone who looked like he knew what he was doing, and crossed with them.

 The center boulevard is given to parkland, where vendors would set out tables to sell their wares, or students would gather. There are a number of restaurants, coffee bars and shops along the streets in this area, as well as other hotels, and three McDonald's.

Christmas Trees at the Galerias Pacifico Shopping Mall

From the Bristol Hotel Buenos Aires, it took me about 15 minutes to walk across Avenue 9 De Julio from the hotel, and another four blocks to Calle Florida (Florida Street), which is largely pedestrian mall for about one mile. I took this photo near one of the entrances to the Galerias Pacifico (new page will open, and see also this page for Galerias Pacifco).

The mall shops are lovely, high end as you'd expect, and there is a fabulous food court, where I made it a point to lunch on strip loin steaks served with potatoes and salad sides with typical Argentine sauces for about $6 USD.

The pedestrian mall outside is lined with stores selling all manner of goods, though sidewalk touts lure one and all to come see the 'cashmere' and leather clothes. I finally worked out that 'cashmere' is a generic term in these parts, so shop accordingly. There are a number of places to eat or get a cup of coffee close by. English is sporadically spoken, so a Spanish phrasebook is handy to have with you (see the Books page for one and for some suggested guidebooks).

Edificios Aguas Argentinas ~ Argentina Water Building

I first saw this building from a shuttle bus window. As the driver stopped at a traffic light, I looked out the window and there it was, gleaming with a thousand colors, it seemed, in the early morning light. As I was the only passenger, I moved up to the front to ask the driver what is was.

Colonial Buildings Around Plaza De Mayo

From the Obelisk, head southeast, on Av. Pte. Roque Saenz Paena, which leads straight to the Plaza De Mayo.

It's a good idea to keep abreast of local news as the Plaza is a meeting spot for all manner of demonstrations. If there's been any current contentious issue, then, as a visitor, do avoid it on those occasions. An area of about 6 square blocks on the west side of the plaza contains many old colonial buildings, including several large churches and convents.

Avenue de 9 Julio ~ World's Widest

I stopped 'in the middle of the street' to take this photo. One day, as I passed, there were about 15 men dressed in what I think were traditional gaucho outfits, though they looked too stylish to be work clothing. They simply stood silently all in a row, facing the Obelisk.

Another day, three chatting nuns, arms linked and carrying white canes, tap-tapped their way across the lanes of traffic. And once, two young men went rushing about plastering every surface with posters full of angry lettering. The next morning, when I asked my guide to come translate them for me, all the signs had been removed.

Casa Rosada ~ Casa de Gobierno

On the east side of Plaza de Mayo (or south, on my confusingly laid-out tourism map) is the famously pink Casa Rosada.

I'd come upon it from the east, and so I first saw its front facade, shown in the photo here. (See Evita's tomb, Recoleta ) The bright late spring sun seemed to wash it out slightly, but there's no mistaking it. These days, the governor makes his residence elsewhere. There are free guided tours in English on Fridays at 4 p.m., says my Lonely Planet Argentina guide.

Casa Rosada Rear Balcony View

This photo shows the rear of the palace, the side that overlooks the Plaza de Mayo.

Breathe there a soul so dead that can stand here under the balconies and NOT sing, even to him- or herself . . .

Plaza De Mayo Buenos Aires

Like any plaza worthy of the name, it's home to a large array of pigeons. As well as Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo is overlooked by the Cabildo (town council), and the Cathedral Metropolitana.

Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., Las Madres de la Plaza De Mayo (Mothers of Plaza de Mayo) march here, protesting Dirty War attrocities.

Florida Street Buenos Aires Shopping

From the Obelisk // Bristol Hotel area, I walked four blocks east on Avenue Corrientes (which intersects with Av 9 de Julio at the Obeslisk itself) to turn left on Florida Street.

From here, a largely pedestrian mall (some cross streets allow traffic, so watch for crosswalks) runs another 4 to 5 blocks.

Buenos Aires Busker on Florida Street

The fellow (his back is to the camera) created this sand sculpture in the center of the pedestrian mall outside the Galerias Pacifico.

Before I could take the photo, I had to pay a few pesos. Inside Galerias Pacifico, you'll also find the Centro Cultural Borges, and on weekend evenings, a free tango show. When you enter, look up. The vaulted ceilings are covered in wonderful murals.

Plaza Libertador Gral. San Martin

This plaza with flowering jacaranda trees is located near where Florida Street ends, in this area called Retiro.

There are a number of good hotels nearby. (Click on the link to go to a new page with hotel reviews and info) This area is well located for visitors.

The Four Seasons Hotel is located a few blocks north, across Av 9 de Julio, in the upscale Recoleta area, with its carpeted sidewalks, trendy restaurants and Evita's grave. (See Recoleta / gaucho page).

Buenos Aires New Barrio Puerto Madero

Newer and trendy Puerto Madero is only a few blocks south from Casa Roasada (Had I checked my map the first time, I could have saved myself another walk!).

Restaurants and condos line the marina area. From the Obelisk, it's a nice day's (roughly circular) walk to Florida Street, then down the mall to the Plaza Libertador, then southeast to Puerto Madero. From there, go northwest past Casa Rosado and Plaza De Mayo to the Obeslisk. There are plenty of spots for snacks and meals along the way.

Promenade at Puerto Madero

As well as upscale restaurants (most with outdoor seating areas), many older port buildings are seeing new life as lofts.

Across the canal from here is the Constanera Ecological Park, and two others, which act as green space buffers between the city and the south shore of the Rio de la Plata, that separates Argentina from Uruguay.

Puerto Madero Marina in Buenos Aires

I took this photo from one of the bridges spanning the Puerto Madero canal at wide intervals. This view is looking back towards Florida Street area.

Casa Rosada is to the left of this view, about 3 blocks distant. The green space (to the right) begins a few blocks east of here. The Retiro Estacion (Station) is almost straight ahead (it's across the street from the Plaza Libertador/ end of Florida Street). Look for the landmark, solitary Torre de Los Ingleses (English Tower) to keep your bearings.

An Evening of Tango and Dinner

La Ventana Tango Show (basically, a dinner theatre) offers two shows/night: One starts at 8 p.m.; The other at 10:30 p.m. (I recommend attending the early show if you have an early departure the next morning). In the hour or so before each seating, legions of tour buses and vans dominate the surrounding streets, but the line-up moves fast. A documentary film about Tango plays during the meal service, which is done with admirable precision and speed. The stage show itself is quite wonderful, and the costumes are gorgeous. Sit back and enjoy!

Rose Onyx at a Florida Street Shop

The window display for one of the upscale shops near where Florida Street ends opposite the Plaza Libertador fairly gleamed with these rose colored onyx pieces.

(I used the polarizing filter to shoot through the plate glass so avoid reflections.)

In this area, other shops also sold semi-precious gemstone jewellery pieces. Shop around for the best selection and prices.
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