Buenos Aires

After attending a Conference in Buenos Aires, I stayed on for a few days to try to discover more of the city. This is a place that wears its heart on its sleeve, that is vibrantly proud of what it is, and after a few days I realised that one word kept coming into my mind, touching on every aspect of the city.

Unashamedly.

Let’s look at why that word kept creeping into my mind as I explored the place; let’s touch upon a few highlights of the city.

La Boca is, well, unashamedly colourful – with its street murals and multi-coloured corrugated houses along El Caminito, the main street of La Boca. It’s a gaudy, but charmingly tacky place, and here also is the Boca Juniors stadium, where the guides who show you around are unashamedly passionate about their stadium and their team.

Close by is San Telmo, one of the oldest areas of the city. This is an area of antique shops, and cafes, and on a weekend an unashamedly eclectic mix of stalls selling art, trinkets, junk and souvenirs. Its lively, and it’s worth spending half a day just browsing amongst the market, and the street performers.

Just up the road is Plaza De Mayo with the Casa Rosada, the palace from the balcony of which Eva and Juan Peron would address huge crowds. Its unashamedly pink. Here the mothers of the ‘disparacedos’ - those who disappeared during the brutal dictatorship years - still march every Thursday, unashamedly determined to keep memories alive.

Fancy a rest and a coffee? Not far away is Café Tortoni, arguably the most famous of Buenos Aries’ coffee houses. You must queue to get in, but inside it is unashamedly ornate and over the top. Try churros here, along with your coffee.