I took the Subte (subway) to a Saturday tango class, what else to start off a weekend?
Christmas illumination on the Avenida de 9 Julio.
Public art in the Subte tunnels of Station Independencia...
A short walk towards the tango school. Here a good example why Portenos are not too keen on their trees, especially if they are on their part of the sidewalk, and develop an extensive root system. It also demonstrates, that one ALWAYS looks where one is going - dog poop and all.
Not much more comment about the lesson - except that it was a pleasure, especially as Saturday's teacher is not only an expert Salon style professor, but he has an uncanny knack to bring out the best in his students, yours truly included.
Just a one station Subte ride to San Telmo, famous for its Sunday antique market. On this Saturday, another annual event took over Avenida Defensa and Plaza Dorrego, the most well known locations in San Telmo. It is the Annual Llamada de Candombe. More of that in a later blog...
Waiting for the action to start, I found myself a bistro table under a shady tree on Plaza Dorrego, empty today of antique vendors, and filled with extensions of the surrounding cafes and restaurants. I weakened and ordered a Quilmes, the local brew, as temperatures had reached beer thirst levels.
An opportune time to people watch, ever a fascinating non-activity in Buenos Aires.
This young beauty looks like a woman from an Anselm Feuerbach painting. Beauty abounds...
Hair, glorious hair....
And if I raise my eyes from my table and the people passing by, there is the skyline above Plaza Dorrego.
The most unusual characters wander by.
Where did Michelangelo find the head of his David?
A little sip of mineral water with the cafecito...
Art critic observing a portraitist...
Amongst the bistro tables on Plaza Dorrego, a young couple performs tango. After their dances they walked past tables and collected tips in an old fedora. I readied a few coins, then felt ashamed that I had not given more to the shyly smiling youth, when I saw the young man's shoes. Tango shoes, with the uppers separating from the soles in a great gap...reminds one of characters out of La Boheme...
Street Lantern decorated for the Candombe Fiesta.
Of course, the canine friends are part of the restaurant scene.
Babies and toddlers are carted around everywhere...
Kids just love junk food, regardless of country and gastronomic culture...
The old Rotisserie in San Telmo
This man's name must be Jesus. He walked around in a long white gown - barefoot on the cobble stones.
Mate and cigarettes, the Portenos comforts...
Line up of neighbours, awaiting the Candombe Fiesta parade.
Leo's Patio in San Telmo...
Taking out the grand children...
Applause for another tango dance...
Merry Christmas...
Sleeping through the whole Saturday afternoon walk...
Now, getting ready for the Candombe - to be continued.
