"Buenos Aires, Argentina" a Buenos Aires Travel Page by acemj

I love to take pictures of stone carvings and elegant architecture in black and white The colorless film always seems to capture the solid, durable essence of the stone and yet here in Buenos Aires leaving the color out seems almost criminal. After all, this is a vibrant, colorful and enthusiastic city. However, in recent times, Portenos, as the locals are called, have been forced to demonstrate some of the same qualities that are demonstrated by this photo. The stone cherub shown here is graceful, enduring and most of all solid to the core and this is what I experienced in meeting local people here in Argentina's largest city.

Despite the recent economic crisis of 2001 that saw a rapid and dramatic devaluation of the Argentinian peso and that completely ruined many residents economically, the people that I met in Buenos Aires seemed to carry a dignity and determination that was truly admirable. They seem to have not lost any of their zest for life and can still be found engaging in political demonstrations in the streets and intellectual debates in the cafes. On Sundays, the local stadiums are filled with screaming fans excitedly cheering on their favorite teams. Evenings reveal equally enthusiastic crowds enjoying the art of the tango in local clubs and restaurants. During the week, the busy Microcenter is full of locals clad in fashionable business attire busily hustling around town carrying on the business of the day.

As a first-time visitor to Buenos Aires I was impressed not only with its people, but also by its beauty. The location on the river's edge and the grandeur of its streets contribute to its charm. That is not to say that it is perfect. The air is polluted and the traffic is constant. Some areas are unsafe after dark and poverty is a problem for many, but considering what the country has been through in its very recent past, I was amazed at how resilient the city seems to be.