I headed for the district of Abasto, home of many tango stores, tango shows, and a shopping centre with an artistic flair.
Interior of Abasto Shopping Mall, another architectural marvel, somewhat removed from present day Walmart style big box stores.
My Christmas Present, not quite 'compliments' of the Artesanal, a small shoe and clothing store catering to tango, just across the street from Abasto Shopping Centre.
Prices are still reasonable...even shortening the heel by one centimetre only set me back an extra 8 dollars.
One must remember, attention during tango is drawn to feet and legs, ergo attention-getting shoes are de rigueur. The above pair is relatively 'tame'.
To see some more 'exciting' samples sold by this store
www.shoes-susanaartesanal.com
.....just in case someone wants to mail-order a pair...
A small shopping arcade at Calle Florida still sports the old fashioned brass and copper trimmed elevators - the cage type, with polished buttons.
Ceilings in the old arcades are always a surprise....
A few blocks away is the 'new' part of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero, a forest of glass sky scrapers built along the old docks of the port. Opposite, on the other side of the navigable canal, a row of refurbished warehouses, with restaurants, offices, boutique stores, and condos.
The old gantry cranes are left on the pedestrian promenades for decoration.
Amongst the bland glass buildings is a museum, the Hilton Hotel, condo and office buildings and the Buenos Aires Yacht Club. Backing onto this collection of newest construction in the City is a large ecological reserve where the River Plate rolls by with lazy mud coloured wavelets.
There are quite a number of restaurants, frequented by office workers and tourists. Quite 'civilized', some of the terraces have netting to keep pigeons from bothering diners.
Any drinks and even local beer are twice as expensive than anywhere else; so are meals.
Despite modern conveniences, brand new buildings, the area feels sterile, cold and lifeless. The famous bridge 'Puente de Mujer' connects Buenos Aires proper with the new development. This bridge as well as three others crossing the channel girate to open for water traffic.
Apart from renting a bicycle or walk through the Eco Reserve, there is really absolutely nothing captivating to do or see. Sanitized Buenos Aires does not seem to possess a soul.
Plaque beside the Puente de la Mujer...
A couple of retired sailing ships are tied up, and are open for visits.
On the City side of Puerto Madero, crossing railway lines (still used by commuter trams) and another one of the many multi lane thoroughfares is the Ministry of Communication.
'Snow' near Plaza de Mayo. Portenos are paper throwers, whether it is the latest restaurant menu flyer, political messages, torn up old calendars, show advertising or red light activity notes....ever so often the ground is covered with paper....
Cristina promises work for all Argentinians, here a work in progress subway station, near Plaza de Mayo.
A bit of a 'British' streak in Portenos...even at the most humble bus station (this one also near Plaza de Mayo, a block from Casa Rosada) they line up quietly for the next bus to arrive.
Argentina's National Bank, across from the main entrance of Casa Rosada.
Just a regular Office Building entrance..
Portal of Banca Frances
Portal of the Catedral...
Windowsill of the Banca Frances...
Entrance to Catedral Subway Station...this man had one hand in the garbage bin (there are garbage bins in the city) and the other buried deeply inside his pants. One of the 'descamisados' (homeless?) with hair that looked as if had never seen water since the day of his birth. Not someone I would want to run into during a midnight Subway Ride...
All that at the Perimeter of Plaza Mayo with it's sumptious Casa Rosada at one end, and sanitized Puerto Madero a block away.
