Buenos Airies

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"Do you know what this is?" asked my new friend Lydia. I looked at it closely. It seemed like hundreds of seeds or nuts that had been strug together in a large bracelet. I guesed from the range of other musical instruments that it sat amongst it had somethinkg to do with music.

I shook it and it made a jangling sound like a bag full of bottle tops.

"They are made from the nails of cows and it is called a Marraca". Lydia has recently retired from the role of Director of Argentinian music at the Sydney Opera House. She knew her stuff.

She explained all the various instruments to me including the guitar that had been made out of the shell of an armadillo.

Her husband Len was an oficiando on the tools and weapons of the native indians. He showed me dried bull testicles that contained a rock and had a long string made of skin that the indians and gauachos used to lasso animals.

He also showed me

The couple now lived in Sydney but were originally from Mendoza in the north of Argentina and had come to Argentina for a holiday.

They had taken me under their wing whilst we were on a tour from Buenos Airies to visit the delta of Tigre, a small collection of islands outside the city only accessible by boat.

Shopping
Steak
Tango

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Photos

A house in Tigre
The houses are surrounded by water and the only access is by boat

The armadillo guitar
and other assorted musical instruments

recoleta cemetary
where Evita is buried. the tombs are incredibly elaborate

making a living
they start young....

the colourful caminito street
the artistic heart of Buenos Airies

the crowd at a boca juniors match
the stadium was full of boca supporters and they were treated to a 5-1 win against gymnasia

Comments

[Hannah Hatton]

Crazy football fans!
Hey Mel, The Boca Juniors fans sure are fanatical hey? We enjoyed the same experience, crammed in against 1000's of others, including a 6 year old who never stopped chanting songs!

[jo]

memories
It's been six or more years since I was in B.A; My film ended up in the washing machine- long story. So lovely to see your photos and have my memories washing over me again.

[M E L]

hey jo, thanks for looking at my blog, glad you enjoyed it!!! hope the spanish classes are going well. just finished the macchu picchu trek which was amazing. will write about it soon!! xx mel