Halloween 2009

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I thought this would make a boo-tiful image to accommodate Halloween. If that day had the same importance in Argentina as it has in North America, the cemetery in Recolata would be a great place to find plenty of really good scares. I guess this is what Halloween is all about -- celebrating the fear and the darkness, right? Well, in Argentina Halloween is neither a tradition, nor is it very popular. It is considered a gringo thing. But wait, Halloween's popularity is constantly growing and I think it will find its way to Argentina by the backdoor. Thus you will definitely find some parties and events tonight in Buenos Aires.
Anyway, Happy Halloween (if you celebrate it)!

• I'm reading: Halloween 2009

Spooky Black Granite Mausoleum in Recoleta

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No, this is not the haunted sanctuary of the heinous blood-sucking vampire; at least I couldn't find his initials. Plus, the commemorative plaque tells us otherwise. Neither is it a very realistic premature Halloween decoration. It is yet another deserted tomb at the Recoleta cemetery. It seems like there is no family member left or willing to tend the grave or the family lost all its money and importance. Anyway, I guess Count Dracula would love this creepy place. It is kind of spooky with all the spider webs on the entrance. Obviously this door has not been used for a very long time.

• I'm reading: Spooky Black Granite Mausoleum in Recoleta

In Commemoration of the 57th Anniversary of the Death of Evita Perón

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Today is the 57th anniversary of María Eva Duarte de Perón's death. The principal remembrance plate to honor her was attached to the mausoleum of her family in 1982; 30 years after Evita had died. It says (roughly translated):

EVA PERON
Q.E.P.D. (Que En Paz Descanse)
1952, 26 de Julio - 1982
No me llores perdida ni lejana,
yo soy parte esencial de tu existencia,
todo amor y dolor me fue previsto,
cumplí mi humilde imitación de Cristo,
quien anduvo en mi senda que la siga.
SUS DISCIPULAS

EVA PERON
RIP (Rest in Peace)
1952, 26 of July - 1982
Don't cry for me being lost and distant,
I'm an essential part of your existence.
All love and pain for me were predetermined,
I accomplished my humble emulation of Christ.
Who pursued my example shall carry on!
Her Disciples

• I'm reading: In Commemoration of the 57th Anniversary of the Death of Evita Perón

Faculty of Law - University of Buenos Aires

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The UBA, the Universidad de Buenos Aires, is Argentina's largest and most prestigious university with over 300,000 students enrolled in 13 faculties. Its number of academic staff has reached almost 30,000. These are amazing numbers. The building that has a certain affinity to an ancient Greek temple is the School of Law and Social Sciences. It has been design in 1938 by Arturo Ochoa, Ismael Chiapore and Pedro Vivent and was finally built in 1949 during the Perón administration.

• I'm reading: Faculty of Law - University of Buenos Aires

Buried History of Argentina

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Frankly, ego played a big role in building up the magnificent cemetery in Recoleta reserved for the aristocrats and the rich of the Argentine society. The grandeur is simply overwhelming, and makes it a wonderful place to go for a walk and contemplate. Industrialists and entrepreneurs, politicians and writers, madams and millionaires, all designated this place as their final resting place. It is certainly true to say that a lot of Argentina's history is buried here.
Do you think wealthiness obliges the rich to be buried in abundant mausoleums?

• I'm reading: Buried History of Argentina

Burial Monuments for Eternity

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The Cementerio de la Recoleta is not just a place with graves and tombs. It is a place with many ancient stories to tell. That is why I like this place a lot. Only persons of noble rank or birth were buried here but the cemetery has lost a bit of its prominence over the years. Nowadays only a few funerals take place per year. On the other hand it is becoming a major tourist attraction in Buenos Aires.
Have you ever thought about your private mausoleums?

• I'm reading: Burial Monuments for Eternity

Extent of Decay in Recoleta Cemetery

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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?

• I'm reading: Extent of Decay in Recoleta Cemetery

Easter Bunnies in Recoleta

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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!

• I'm reading: Easter Bunnies in Recoleta

Cityscape of Mausoleum Rooftop Crosses

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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.

• I'm reading: Cityscape of Mausoleum Rooftop Crosses

They don´t keep distance to Evita

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If you believe Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita, the "best show in town is the crowd outside the Casa Rosada crying Eva Perón". Nowadays the devotees of María Eva Duarte de Perón are to be found in the Recoleta cemetery. Especially on Saturdays there is a good crowd qeueing in front of her family's mausoleum.

• I'm reading: They don´t keep distance to Evita