Thursday, April 30, 2009

Trains in Buenos Aires

Train to Bartolomé Mitre station in Buenos Aires' main station Retiro
Trenes de Buenos Aires or shortly TBA is a privately held railroad company. A lot has changed since its privatization in the mid 90's, not all to the better. There are a lot of delays and the track bed could be in a better condition. The train in the picture goes to Bartolomé Mitre, an important transfer station in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Icons and Idols of Argentina

Che, Evita, Maradona - The icons and idols of Argentina. Found in Buenos Aires
What do Eva Perón (Evita), Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Diego Maradona and Carlos Gardel have in common? Not much, indeed, but they all belong to the beloved and venerated Argentine icons. Pictures of these idols became virtually devotional objects and can be bought everywhere in Buenos Aires. They belong to Argentina's identity as tango, beef and gauchos.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Peaceful Retreat From Bustling Buenos Aires

Small Lodge in the Ecological Reserve Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The National Park and Ecological Reserve Costanera Sur is a very young recreation area in close proximity to downtown Buenos Aires. This small little hut is located at a lagoon separated by a dam from the Río de la Plata (River Plate). It invites to rest in a peaceful atmosphere, watch birds or go fishing and forget about the rush of the Argentine Capital.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Giant Flower in Buenos Aires

Floralis Generica in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina
This metal beauty is called Floralis Generica, standing proudly in a water basin at the United Nations Plaza in Palermo, Buenos Aires. The sculpture created by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano is made of tons of stainless steel and aluminum. A nifty mechanism opens the six pedals of this huge flower in the morning and closes them at night. Very eye catching!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Little Laundrette in San Telmo

Wash Salon in San Telmo Buenos Aires, Argentina
Doing the laundry yourself? Not in Buenos Aires. There are plenty of these small wash salons where you bring in your dirty laundry in the morning and collect it in the evening. Just say how you want it done. The stuff in this little wash salon located at Avenida Independencía is ever so lovely. Getting your laundry done is kind of cheap in Buenos Aires.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Railroad Tracks in Buenos Aires

Railroad tracks serving as dividing line between Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The railroad tracks in the picture serve as a dividing line between Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, both part of Palermo Viejo. In the background you can see the still evolving skyline of Palermo Hollywood. Porteños began to call this area Palermo Hollywood because of the vast presence of film, television and radio production companies which produce content not only for the domestic market.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Simplistic Marker Tags at Galerías Bond Street

Tagged wall at Galerias Bond Street in Barrio Norte in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tagging is indeed a worldwide phenomenon, so in Buenos Aires. Opponents of graffiti may argue that tagging is just vandalism. In this case there is no reason to be upset because this tagged wall is in a youth culture related shopping mall in the Barrio Norte. Even though this may not initially appear as a work of art to everyone, the tags are forming an interesting structure. I would go along with Marcel Duchamp who once brought up the very valid question, "Can one make works of art which are not 'of art'?"

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Crane Spotting Buenos Aires

Yellow Crane from VEB Kranbau Eberswalde in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires
This is a close-up view on one of Puerto Madero's yellow landmarks. There are several harbor cranes along the docks, some historical shipyard cranes and those more modern cranes from the former GDR (Ex-East Germany). They give this rather new spot in Buenos Aires a special atmosphere. If somebody knows how they got there and why, please let me know.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Vidas Sitiadas - Photo Exhibition in Buenos Aires

Documentary Photography Exhibition "Vidas Sitiadas" at Centro Cultural Borges in Microcentro in Buenos Aires, Argentina
I have a strong passion for documentary photography. The Centro Cultural Borges in downtown Buenos Aires is always a great place to go. The bygone exhibition "Vidas Sitiadas" (Spanish for Life under Siege) was about life and permanent pain, both mental and physical. The exposition showed pictures taken by the members of the FotoDoc 2008 workshop for documentary photography coordinated by Daniel Merle. All photographies were somewhat sad but graceful.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Still Life With Sun Umbrellas

Sun umbrellas in a small café in the Pasaje de la Defensa in San Telmo in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The four sunny umbrellas belong to a café in the lovely Pasaje de la Defensa upstairs in the second patio. You'll find the colonial building at 1179 Calle Defensa in San Telmo. Whether it is a coffee break or shopping break, enjoy the historic building.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Buenos Aires Rooftop Bar

Outdoor Event Terrace in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is awash with rooftop bars and lounges. They are indicative of the city's vibrant nightlife scene. This rooftop in the creative Palermo Soho neighborhood is still asleep, the chairs are stacked. But wait for the night to fall, then the entire rooftop turns into one of these fancy outdoor lounges.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Self-Planted Bushes on Balcony in La Boca

Porteños on old ramshackle balcony with a green feature of a colorful house in La Boca, Buenos Aires
In many parts of Buenos Aires you can find these slightly ramshackle buildings that I personally really love. This colorful house I have found in La Boca near the famous Caminito Street. The folks standing on this lovely balcony are staring down at the massive tourist crowds in La Boca.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Extent of Decay in Recoleta Cemetery

Ramshackle tombs in the Recoleta Cemetery of Buenos Aires, Argentina
The picture demonstrates that the interior of this tomb is in a condition of rampant decay. It is one of the many half-open mausoleums in the Recoleta Cemetery. The number of these untended graves and tombs is growing since years. Looks pretty scary, doesn't it?

Friday, April 17, 2009

Bus to Palermo

Colectivo Bus Line 12 in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Where do you want to go to in Buenos Aires? How about Palermo and a visit to the zoo? Getting around by bus is cheap and reliable. The Colectivo busses do come often and will bring you even to the remotest parts of the Greater Buenos Aires Area. Oh, don't forget to hop-off at the Plaza Italia for the Jardín Zoológico.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Noisy Buenos Aires

Noisy La Plata Highway in San Telmo, Buenos Aires.
The heavy traffic makes Buenos Aires one of the noisiest cities on earth. The 25 de Mayo Highway in the picture goes straight through some residential districts like San Telmo. The sound of the roaring traffic can really become a nightmare. It's constantly present, day and night. So if you live close to the city center or along a highway get yourself some ear plugs for a good night's sleep!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Free Hug Day in Buenos Aires

Free Hugs Day in Microcentro Buenos Aires, Argentina
I found these charming huggers in downtown Buenos Aires holding up their Spanish-language Free Hugs signs lately. They were giving hugs selflessly to anyone who wanted. What a fun! The Free Hug Campaign is just a nice idea and furthermore a growing social movement for a better together. So remember, a hug a day keeps the shrink away!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Buenos Aires Park Scene

Folks relaxing in the shadow of big trees in the Parque Lezama in San Telmo, Buenos Aires
Calling Buenos Aires a City of Green is kind of daring. Nonetheless, it is a fairly green city with many urban green spaces and public parks within its city boundaries. One of the smaller ones is the Parque Lezama in San Telmo. Porteños relaxing under some shady trees is a quite common city picture.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Supply Boat in Tigre

Supply Boat crossing the Arroyo Rama Negra, a branch of the Parana Delta in Tigre
Tigre is a city, far flung over the bigger and smaller islands in the Río Parana Delta close to Buenos Aires. The people who live on these islands rely on supply boats like this in the picture. These floating convenient stores crossing the river branches day by day supply the inhabitants with well-assorted goods.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Bunnies in Recoleta

Bunny thumper in a shop window at Alvear Avenue in Recoleta, Buenos Aires
I found this little cutie in a shop window in one of these luxury stores along the uber-rich Avenida Alvear in the neighborhood of Recoleta. The shopping street, even though it is running just a few blocks, is fully packed with all kind of noble brands and classy stores of international designers like Christian Dior, Versace or Polo Ralph Lauren. This upper class street is most comparable to the Fifth Avenue in New York or the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Some say it is even better. Be that as it may, it is shopper's paradise for luxury goods. Even if you don't like Haute Couture by Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton and the like you can perfectly go window shopping here. Happy Easter everyone!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Horrific Bus Queue in Buenos Aires

Wasting time in the waiting line for a bus. Seen in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires
Everyone seems to be constantly waiting for something or someone in Buenos Aires. Queues can be found everywhere in Argentina. Porteños always wait so patiently in supermarkets, post offices and banks to do their business. Waiting to get things done at public authorities can be a time consuming mess, too. But apparently, nobody cares. This is part of the Argentine no-rush, go-slow attitude. What you see here in the picture is just the tip of the iceberg. There are even more people waiting around the corner. Unbelievable!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Political Wall Murals in Buenos Aires

Political graffiti supporting six Paraguayan farmers on a wall somewhere in Palermo, Buenos Aires
This political graffiti, also referred to as mural, was painted on a wall somewhere in Palermo. Graffiti and murals conveying political messages can be found all over in Buenos Aires. This mural painting is supporting six Paraguayan farmers who claimed political asylum in Argentina. The campaign wasn't successful and the Argentine government rejected the asylum claims. Unfortunately, I do not know much more about this incident but I'd like to. So, feel free to clarify.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Cinema of Argentina

Motion picture shooting in the busy shopping street Calle Florída in Downtown, Buenos Aires
And ... Action! Recently, I was watching the filming of some scenes for an Argentine motion picture. I really like the Latin American Cinema for all its imperfection and lack of special effects. The Argentine film tends often to be sentimental and mostly political and it is primarily concerned with the social aspects of the Argentine society and culture. One of the most depressing movies I've ever seen was "Garage Olimpio" (1999) which is about the brutal Dirty War of the military Junta against the Argentine people between 1976 and 1983. Another and, by the way, Academy Award (Oscar®) winning movie about what happened in that era is "The Official Story" (1985) by Luis Puenzo. However, there is a broad variety of movies from drama to comedy. Nowadays, movies such as "XXY" by Lucía Puenzo and "Encarnación" by Anahí Berneri arouse international attention. Of course, there are plenty of other movies that were shot in Buenos Aires.
And, yes, the camerawoman is pregnant.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Cityscape of Mausoleum Rooftop Crosses

Christian crosses and stone figurines guarding the dead of the aristocrats' cemetery in Recoleta, Buenos Aires
Several crosses and stone sculptures form a densely packed religious skyline overlooking the famous cemetery "La Recoleta". The cemetery in the heart of the city is one of the most popular and most visited places in Buenos Aires and has a world of exciting things to see.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Argentine Contemporary Art

Temporary exhibition "Objectos de mi pasión" with Graciela Hasper amongst others at Centro Cultural Borges, Buenos Aires
These two guys seem to be completely absorbed by Graciela Hasper's colorful work of art at the Borges cultural center. I found this glass discs very interesting, too. Graciela Haspers is a well-known Argentine artist who lives and works in Buenos Aires. The "Centro Cultural Borges" offers a bunch of temporary exhibitions and you'll find it inside the shopping mall "Galerías Pacifico" in downtown Buenos Aires. I would highly recommend the visit to anyone who's interested in contemporary art. Check out their present and upcoming programs.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Havana in Buenos Aires

Restaurant and Bar "Rey Castro" in Monserrat in Buenos Aires, Argentina
No, it's not the real Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on that balcony having a speech to his followers in Buenos Aires. It is just the promotional mascot of the Cuban restaurant called "Rey Castro". If you like Cuban and Latin food, go check it out. It's located at 342 Peru Street. There are also performances and entertainment in the evenings.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

High Rise Window Cleaning

Professional hi-rise window washers doing their job on office building in Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires
Well, hanging from large heights with barely anything but safety ropes is not to everybody's taste. However, professional window washing is a more needed job in Buenos Aires than ever. The formula is easy: More sophisticated architecture with ample transparent structures involve more window cleaning needs.
"I've often seen what goes inside when I'm cleanin' windows..." is George Formby singing in his song "The Window Cleaner". Who knows what these guys are seeing in this office tower in Puerto Madero?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Obelisk of Buenos Aires

Sunset on "El Obelisco" in the center of "Plaza de la Republica" amidst the world's biggest avenida "9 de Julio" in Buenos Aires
The most significant monument in Buenos Aires is probably "El Obelisco". The obelisk was built on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the first city founding. Since its inauguration on May 23, 1936 it is proudly standing at the intersection of Nueve de Julio and Corrientes avenues.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Chillin´ under the Shade Tree

Police officers relax under a shady tree in Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve in Buenos Aires, Argentina
What a peaceful place! I found these police officers relaxing at the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. The National Park is the perfect chill out place and hideaway of such a crowded, demanding city like Buenos Aires. It is only a stone's throw away from the busy city center.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Heavy Rain Hit Buenos Aires

Facing the looming, dark sky of an thunderstorm in the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina
This was pretty much the view out the window that I had on the approaching storm the other day in Buenos Aires. I just made it into a restaurant before the thunderstorm hit. Gradually it became dark and the rain started. I watched with awe.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Colorful house in La Boca

Colorful House in El Caminito in the La Boca Neighborhood, Buenos Aires
La Boca has many of these brightly colored buildings. The area around "El Caminito" Street is one of the most colorful in Buenos Aires. If you wonder, the female doll in the window (locally called Muñeca) is feeding the bird in the cage.

It's Theme Day on City Daily Photo. The theme, chosen by vote of the CDP participants is "Yellow". Click here to view thumbnails for all participants