Que culpa tiene el Arbol?
What guilt has the tree?
Well, the tree is back! Phoenix risen from the Ashes.
Casa Rosada, the scene of tranquil family outing as well as a gallery of giant photos of the historic event, which set of a demonstration a couple of days ago. The Plaza's giant Christmas Tree went up in flames - set aflame by vandals amongst the demonstrators.
Government Buildings around the Square are closed, the massive doors locked. The colourful guards must be on Christmas Leave...just impressive door knobs - instead of photogenic soldiers.
On the left, remains of the burnt Christmas Tree - on the right, the Replacement, a large expanse of foam and plastic, with gauzy ribbons and glittering CD's as decoration...around the tree, a strong barrier, to keep troublemakers at arm's length.
There it is, Christmas is saved by swift and voluntary action...
Nothing left to remind one of the protesting crowds just two days ago - tranquility and serenity...
Vendors are back, displaying their wares...
The photos, depicting the National Crisis and Police Brutality of 10 years ago, still adorn the Plaza de Mayo in front of Casa Rosada...
Blue, white, gold...
Despite the horrific scenes displayed on the documentary photos, Argentinians use them as background for some of their Christmas Outing photos...
Dad giving his son a history lesson
The same view - then and now.
As is the photos are not enough, Argentinians 'improve' them...
Here a 2001 scene of street fights between mounted police and citizens has been adorned with an inscription which says
'Cristina your Police is the Same' (Christina Fernandez Kirchner being the present President)
and
'Clarin lies' Clarin being one of the anti Cristina daily newspapers...
But, pidgeons are hungry just the same, and children feed them just the same...
And the streets are empty today - no protesters. One could shoot a cannon ball from the Plaza de Mayo to the Obelisco, without hitting a single car.
At one corner of Plaza de Mayo stands the Catedral, most important church of the city, and seat of the Bishop.
At one corner of Plaza de Mayo stands the Catedral, most important church of the city, and seat of the Bishop.
An impressive row of Greek Columns, more fitting to a Parthenon than a church, front the entrance to the classic building.
Side Chapel
Statue of Archangle Gabriel, defeating his foe.
View across the main aspe towards side chapels
Skylights brighten the side chapels
Harmonic symmetry and proportion
Intricate floor mosaics
And a Nativity Scene - awaiting the arrival of the Christ Child tonight.
Nativity Scene at my apartment...unfortunately the cork was so tight in the Champagne Bottle that even with my most determined fiddling it did not budge. Ergo...the bottle went back into the fridge - unopened.
I wish a Very Merry Christmas to all...without a toast.
