Our Friend Reuben

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I forgot to mention that during our plane trip from Lima to Buenos Aires, we met a man named Reuben. Our encounter began by Reuben explaining to me that I may be in for a surprise in my shorts and short-sleeved T-shirt when we arrived in BA. He explained that it was winter in Argentina and that my tropical summer clothing may not be adequate for our 3am arrival. After this we swapped introductions and began to prod and tease out information from a seemingly genuine and honest man. We spoke about the generalities of the city, about specific neighbourhoods and about Argentinean customs and culture. It so happened that in a city of nearly 14 million people, Reuben lived just around the corner from us. The conversation passed our time in the place nicely and by the end of the trip, we had exchanged emails and phone numbers. I am pleased to say that after only 8 days in BA, I can now call Reuben a friend. Laurence and I spent our first Sunday in BA exploring the city with our newfound local tour guide. We exited the 9 de Julio subway station and entered the world’s widest boulevards. Something like 16 lanes of traffic bisecting the centre of city was something to see coming from Vancouver, a city that chose not to build a city centred freeway system. Fortunately for us, it was Sunday and traffic was light. When walking through the lanes of BA, it is apparent of the comparison between oft made between BA and Paris. All of the buildings are of similar height and dimension in relation to the street and the architecture is familiar to both locales. From the obelisk in the centre of this enormous boulevard, we then made our way towards the plaza de Mayo, BA’s physical and spiritual centre.

This was an important visit for me given that I am about to embark on a four months research endeavour of this Plaza (and perhaps others) and that it would be this Plaza that would be the focus for my graduate thesis. What shocked me the most upon arriving in the Plaza de Mayo was the amount of police patrolling this public space. Moreover, was the fact that these numerous officers were imposing in their attitudes and their presence, something I had not completely appreciated when I first began studying this public space from the warm confines of my Vancouver apartment. How was I going to spend many, many hours in a place that felt so cold and uncomfortable? I am still unsure what the answer to this question will be, but hopefully it is for this exact reason that I am attempting to study a plaza worlds away from my own city.

Anyways, after an interesting discussion on the politics of Argentina and South America, we continued on our guided tour of BA. After taking a quick ride on the city’s original subway line with its original wooden train cars, we ended up at a Spanish restaurant for a wonderful lunch. The day was a lot of fun and a great way to introduce us to Buenos Aires.

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Photos

The Obelisk
This is th eobelisk in the middle of the world's widest boulevard

La Policia
Police in the Plaza de Mayo

Images of the Madres of the Plaza de Mayo
The wites scarfs painted in the Plaza represent the mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group that has protested the military's actions during the 'dirty years' for more than thirty years

Nice Subway!
Original wooden train cars on Buenos Aires oldest subway line

Comments

[Mom]

Heh there...

[Grady]

9 de Julio
I promised you that this was an amazing traffic corridor! As kids we would challenge each other to see who could cross the fastest. I always lost and is possiby the reason I am still alive today. Looking forward to keep abreast of your adventures. Best to you both.

[D-Rock]

How the hell are ya?
Hey buddy, Sounds like you're fitting right in down there! Its good to read about your travels, keep it up! I'm heading out into Clayoquot tomorrow for one last trip. I'll be thinking of you as we pass by Vargas Island! Be well my friend. Derek