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When I was in Argentina it was still in a major economic recession with many people losing their jobs and having their money devalued on an ongoing basis...

Argentina

Raphaelk
2004-01-28 21:25:09

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When I was in Argentina it was still in a major economic recession with many people losing their jobs and having their money devalued on an ongoing basis. As a result there were daily protests in Buenos Aires for one thing or another this one was about restricted access to peoples funds.

In Buenos Aires I went to the cemetery in Recoleta, where the tombs are all very grand and ornate. The most famous internee is Eva Duarte-Peron, more famously known as Evita, interred in the Duarte family tomb. On the facade there are several brass plaques remembering 'Santa Evita' which some people would rub in order to receive a blessing. Whilst I was there an elderly lady came along and started playing music on her harmonica including 'Don't cry for me Argentina'. It was interesting and amusing to see the depth of feeling that some people still had for this woman.

In the port area of La Boca there are many art galleries and colourful buildings. The reason for the houses being so colourful is that most of the local residents who worked in the port would use left over bits of boat paint to paint their homes, often resulting in a bright patchwork of colours as shown below.

In Peninsula Valdez I was fortunate enough to witness the Orcas (killer whales) riding up the surf in order to snatch seals and eat them. It is very impressive to see these massive majestic animals ploughing through the water and on to the beach in order to catch hold of the seals and take them into the sea to eat them. Watching several tonnes flapping about in order to get back into the water is enthralling. David Attenborough did an excellent programme about this phenomenon called "Orca Attacks".

Also in Peninsula Valdez I got to see other interesting wildlife, including sea lions and elephant seals, armadillos, foxes, voles, penguins and guanaco. Probably the most unexpected bit was the cows though, not ...