My Journey - Like It Or Not!

I wanted to post up some pics from when I first arrived in Buenos Aires; Argentina. I found a room for rent in the La Boca barrio of Buenos Aris. La Boca was originally populated by Italians from the Genoa area of Italy. It's said they used scrap corrugated metal from the shipyards to build their houses and businesses. They painted them in bright colors to 'liven the place up'!
Argentina1.jpg
There's a street; an alleyway really, that is in that neighborhood and this is where most of the tourists go. It's a small area that is full of outdoor cafes and tango dancing in the street. It's called Caminito ( little path in Spanish). I loved to go there mid-day and stay for a few hours drinking coffee and people watching. The buildings are so bright and cheerful. I found that rejuvenating being away from all the Covid worries and a cheerful visual to boot!

I got a pizza for dinner one night. The Pizza baker was outside greeting people when I arrived!
They have many figures all over the area who appear to be made out of paper-mache. It's pretty unusual lol.
Argentina6.jpg

I passed this shop almost daily and always recognized the cats that appeared to have on 3-D glasses yet I could never quite figure out what time it was by looking at the clock :confused:

Argentina7.jpg

I never quite really understood the passion for the Tango dancing there. It was a huge deal for the tourists. It was pretty fun to watch. I don't normally buy much stuff because I have limited storage capacity when I travel but I just had to have this one cloth wall hanging that I saw one day. It folds quite nicely too (y)
Argentina.jpg
 

I admit I haven't been south of Mexico's Chichen Itza and Uxmal (both awesome), but I find it hard to believe that anywhere can beat Rome, Venice, and Athens. Admittedly I was there before the flood of tourists and, uh, immigrants -- the days when you could stroll about wherever you wished and stand almost alone in the Sistine Chapel staring up at a ceiling painted by the hand of Michelangelo. Raised a Presbyterian I was literally blessed by the Pope one Easter in Saint Peters Square. (-8 Athens' Acropolis -- unmatched and awe inspiring! Spain has its attractions too. Hard to find something more spine chilling than standing in the Cathedral of Seville confronting the sepulcher of Columbus borne on the shoulders of four Spanish kings and queens.

That said, I understand that being a tourist in Europe these days can be a pretty trying experience.
 

ElCastor said:
I admit I haven't been south of Mexico's Chichen Itza and Uxmal (both awesome), but I find it hard to believe that anywhere can beat Rome, Venice, and Athens. Admittedly I was there before the flood of tourists and, uh, immigrants -- the days when you could stroll about wherever you wished and stand almost alone in the Sistine Chapel staring up at a ceiling painted by the hand of Michelangelo. Raised a Presbyterian I was literally blessed by the Pope one Easter in Saint Peters Square. (-8 Athens' Acropolis -- unmatched and awe inspiring! Spain has its attractions too. Hard to find something more spine chilling than standing in the Cathedral of Seville confronting the sepulcher of Columbus borne on the shoulders of four Spanish kings and queens.

That said, I understand that being a tourist in Europe these days can be a pretty trying experience.
Click to expand...
You are right. We have been to Rome, Venice and Athens. We were in Rome and Venice pre-Covid and they were amazing. Both were ridiculously crowded, but we still loved it. We haven't been back since Covid started, but we can't wait to go back.

We were in Athens last September, and the locals were so happy to have tourists there that we felt really special. Even the staff at the Athens Hilton was over the top. Every time we go we visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum (the glass floors give me Vertigo). Also, always happy to visit the Plaka for great shopping and meals!

As for Spain, we've been to Barcelona several times. We stayed in the Gothic Quarter and loved being able to find a restaurant any time during the evening. We hopped on the bus to see all the attractions. The train to Monserrat is a must.
 
Last edited:
dseag2 said:
You are right. We have been to Rome, Venice and Athens. We were in Rome and Venice pre-Covid and they were amazing. Both were ridiculously crowded, but we still loved it. We haven't been back since Covid started, but we can't wait to go back.

We were in Athens last September, and the locals were so happy to have tourists there that we felt really special. Even the staff at the Athens Hilton was over the top. Every time we go we visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum (the glass floors give me Vertigo). Also, always happy to visit the Plaka for great shopping and meals!

As for Spain, we've been to Barcelona several times. We stayed in the Gothic Quarter and loved being able to find a restaurant any time during the evening. We hopped on the bus to see all the attractions. The train to Monserrat is a must.
Click to expand...
I lived in Spain for two years courtesy of the US Navy. For me, and I think from the tourist perspective, the best of Spain is south of Madrid. Toledo, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Seville -- the heart of the Muslim occupation of the Iberian peninsula. The bell tower of the cathedral of Seville was originally the minaret of the mosque of Seville. An interior ramp goes to the top -- ramp instead of stairs so the caliph could ride his horse to the top. All the way south is Gibralter, definitely worth a visit, and from Algeciras you can take a car ferry to Morocco. More great sight seeing in a Muslim country with a history of good relations with the West. I have some great stories about Morocco that I won't bore you with.

BTW -- An interesting thing I learned in Spain. The Spanish, who revere Columbus much more than some of us do, believe he was Jewish. After the Muslims were ejected from Spain, the Church also ejected the Jews, many of whom found their way to Italy, where Columbus was born.
 
Welcome Mr. Pants! You have landed on a very good site. I know this from experience. I have been here for a couple of years or so and I'm still here. I express some politically incorrect views and I seldom get attacked. That's just me. I like to tell it just the way I see it. Never seriously smoked but congratulations on stopping. My brother likes to remind me that all the smokers that we went to school with died in their 50s. I'm not saying this is some rule but that's what he says. I don't like to see smoking in the movies. That Humphrey Bogart smoked all the time. Of course, he died from cancer. Not very sexy, really when you think about it.
 

Attachments

  • Happy Smoker.jpg
    Happy Smoker.jpg
    74.6 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:
Another great spot I was fortunate enough to have had a look around was Recoleta Cemetery. It's a well known tourist attraction in Buenos Aries, although I had not even been aware of it until I stumbled across it on a website I was looking at once I arrived in the city.
Argentina8.jpg
On entering, it's immediately noticeable that the tombs are mostly all great monuments to the dead they house. Expensive and exceptional architecture combined with painstakingly detailed artistry. The carvings of stone, marble and metal are mindboggling to me. How long did it take to create these tombs and how much was the cost - must have been incredible!
Argentina5.jpg

Row upon row of narrow pathways between tombs of all sorts. Some more elaborate than others and many containing many multiple souls.
Argentina2.jpg
Even within some of the tombs, the vaults created from solid marble have exquisite carvings such as One I viewed through the open door of the tomb.
Argentia10.jpg

In recent years though, some families that used to have great wealth have fallen on harder times now and can no longer pay the substantial annual upkeep fees and thusly, their family tombs have fallen into great disrepair. You can see it in this photo below; tomb door ajar, walls of the tomb disintegrating and coffins seemingly in some disarray with years of dust build up on them.
Argentina9.jpg
Sad to see mixed in with the other exquisite and ornate tombs!

There are many interesting stories of some of the souls resting in this place - facinating stuff actually.
https://writesofpassage.me/2018/09/08/tales-from-the-graveyard-buenos-aires-recoleta-cemetery/
 
MrPants said:
Another great spot I was fortunate enough to have had a look around was Recoleta Cemetery. It's a well known tourist attraction in Buenos Aries, although I had not even been aware of it until I stumbled across it on a website I was looking at once I arrived in the city.
View attachment 203987
On entering, it's immediately noticeable that the tombs are mostly all great monuments to the dead they house. Expensive and exceptional architecture combined with painstakingly detailed artistry. The carvings of stone, marble and metal are mindboggling to me. How long did it take to create these tombs and how much was the cost - must have been incredible!
View attachment 203990

Row upon row of narrow pathways between tombs of all sorts. Some more elaborate than others and many containing many multiple souls.
View attachment 203991
Even within some of the tombs, the vaults created from solid marble have exquisite carvings such as One I viewed through the open door of the tomb.
View attachment 203992

In recent years though, some families that used to have great wealth have fallen on harder times now and can no longer pay the substantial annual upkeep fees and thusly, their family tombs have fallen into great disrepair. You can see it in this photo below; tomb door ajar, walls of the tomb disintegrating and coffins seemingly in some disarray with years of dust build up on them.
View attachment 203994
Sad to see mixed in with the other exquisite and ornate tombs!

There are many interesting stories of some of the souls resting in this place - facinating stuff actually.
https://writesofpassage.me/2018/09/08/tales-from-the-graveyard-buenos-aires-recoleta-cemetery/
Click to expand...
Is this the cemetery where Ava Perron is buried?
 
dseag2 said:
Is this the cemetery where Ava Perron is buried?
Click to expand...
Yes it is although it took a long time to finally get her there as the story goes. If you open the link I provided in my original post, I believe it mentions her tomb and shows a pic of it. If you ever go back to Buenos Aries, it's a must see. It's huge though. Get a guided tour cuz they know all the who's who and where they are located. I wasn't so lucky when I went as the place was officially closed, due to Covid. (I slipped a landscaper a few bucks & was in no problem but had to find my own way around).

The cemetery is located in the Recoleta neighborhood and close to the National Museum of Fine Arts.
 
MrPants said:
Yes it is although it took a long time to finally get her there as the story goes. If you open the link I provided in my original post, I believe it mentions her tomb and shows a pic of it. If you ever go back to Buenos Aries, it's a must see. It's huge though. Get a guided tour cuz they know all the who's who and where they are located. I wasn't so lucky when I went as the place was officially closed, due to Covid. (I slipped a landscaper a few bucks & was in no problem but had to find my own way around).

The cemetery is located in the Recoleta neighborhood and close to the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Click to expand...
We actually did visit it. It was raining that day, but we really enjoyed it. It was back in 2001, so my memories are a bit fuzzy. I do remember amazing tombs and lots of cats!
 
Packerjohn said:
Welcome Mr. Pants! You have landed on a very good site. I know this from experience. I have been here for a couple of years or so and I'm still here. I express some politically incorrect views and I seldom get attacked. That's just me. I like to tell it just the way I see it. Never seriously smoked but congratulations on stopping. My brother likes to remind me that all the smokers that we went to school with died in their 50s. I'm not saying this is some rule but that's what he says. I don't like to see smoking in the movies. That Humphrey Bogart smoked all the time. Of course, he died from cancer. Not very sexy, really when you think about it.
Click to expand...
Smoking killed my mother -- in her 50s. Nicotine is as addictive as heroine. The manufacture and sale of cigarettes (or any nicotine dispensing product) in the United States should be illegal -- highly illegal.
 
My current, temporary, home. It's actually a story above what you can see here but as you can tell, I don't have far to go for either a quick dip in the ocean or a cool beverage šŸ˜‚
Buzious.jpg
Very narrow strip of beach where I am right now which is unusual in comparison with most other Brazilian beaches I've seen so far. Where I'm staying you can see in the distance where there's red chairs on the beach. The water comes almost to the buildings in places. It's a bay so I guess it doesn't get that rough?
Buzious1.jpg

Buzious2.jpgBuzious3.jpg
 
Went for a hike today up one of the hills just outside of town. Once I got to the top, I found another beach that I hadn't seen before. Mind you, there's beaches all up and down the coast of Brazil from what I can tell. Big, small they got 'em all! This one was a small one compared to what I normally see here but it certainly have a real slope to it at one end!
Brazil Hike.jpg
As I hiked down another trail through the brush I came across the weirdest thing. A bar of sorts in the middle of nowhere! There were a mix of locals and a couple of tourists there taking a rest and having refreshments so I could not resist!
Brazil1.jpg
I went in and got an ice cold beer! They're only about $0.50 a piece here and they are always ice cold. Surprising in that it's so hot all the time but they have it down to an art here no matter where you are. Everyone was speaking Portuguese except for the 2 tourists I saw. At one point I shouted out, 'Hello Canada' with camera in hand to see what reaction I would get. It was a great one! People here are so friendly and easy going.
Brazil2.jpg
 
I have moved along the coast to Ilhabela,

Brazil8.jpg

which is an island only a short way from the mainland and is popular with people from Sau Palo during vacation times. It's a beautiful place with lots of cafes and other eateries to be found across from the boardwalk that meanders along the coast in town.
Brazil9.jpg
And, of course lots of beaches, as is the case with pretty much any place along the coast of Brazil. You can find both the more easily accessible and busier beaches like this one;
Brazil10.jpg
Or some absolutely stunning spots that are virtually deserted on the far side of the island.
Brazil Beach ilhabela.jpg

Every morning I like to wander down to the boardwalk, grab a coffee and watch the paddlers working out in the channel that separates the island from the mainland. It's normally pretty calm and a perfect spot of that sort of activity.
Brazill7.jpg
 
Jules said:
Probably most people speak some English, how is your Portugese? Did you know any before heading here?
Click to expand...
I have yet to meet anyone, other than tourists, that speaks English and unfortunately my Portuguese is really poor .... but improving little by little. There's a lot of hand gestures and pointing to things going on when I have to converse šŸ˜‚

I always found Spanish pretty easy but this Portuguese lingo just seems to baffle me most of the time :unsure: The cheap beer makes up for a lot :sneaky: (and it's really very good too (y))

One of the popular beer brands here Skol:
Skol.jpg
5,00 is 5 reais (Brazil dollar is called real pronounced re-al. Plural is reais (re-ace) )
5 reais would be $1.25 Canadian so about $0.62 a beer and they are always ice-cold!!!
 
Haven't updated my travels through Brazil recently so thought I'd bring things a little more up to date.

I spend only a day and a half in Rio de Janeiro but since it's probably the city that most everyone has heard of and is at least a little familiar with, I thought it was worth a few pics.
The problem is that the day I was out and about in Rio, the weather was really crappy. High cloud, low cloud, mist, drizzle - Yuk! The pics are pretty poor quality and dreary looking just because of the weather. Wish it would have been a brighter day but ........................

I wanted to get a bird's eye view of Rio so I went to Sugarloaf mountain and took the cable car up the 1,200 and some odd feet to the top.
Rio1.jpg
Sugarloaf is quite an impressive chunk of rock and the cable car ride to the top is, well, exciting as the car is pretty much glass all around so one feels unprotected when looking down at the unfolding vista that is Rio de Janeiro.

View of Rio from the top of Sugarloaf. You can see the city is a mass of buildings filling the spaces between the multitude of large hills that make up the geography of the area. Sorry, the view is misty this day. It would be stunning on a clear day when the colors were vibrant.
Rio.jpg

Once down off the mountain, I was fairly close to one of Rio's oldest favelas in midtown. It was so large I couldn't get even half of it in one shot. Shack built upon shack up along the side of a hill. The streets in the favela are really narrow and entryways into the houses are right there where the roadway is. Not sure how people safely exit their living quarters without getting hit by a scooter or motorbike, which seem to be the only mode of transport within the favela.
Rio2.jpg

Of course no trip to Rio would be complete without a walk along the world famous Copacabana Beach! As I mentioned earlier, the weather was dull and dreary the day I was out around town so there were not so many sunbathers on the beach this day. I was amazed at the sheer size of this beach. It runs for as far as the eye can see, with downtown Rio as a backdrop.
Rio4.jpg
It's all sand with little to no rocks the whole way along the beach. The sand is pretty fine so you sink into it a bit as you walk. It's a bit of a struggle getting across the softer sand, down to where it's more firm by the waterline.
In this pic you can use the couple of people show as a scale to judge the distance from the water to where the road is. The road is all the way back to where you can see the buildings. It takes a good 10-12 minutes to make the trek from the roadway to the waters edge through the soft sand of the beach.
Rio3.jpg
I would have loved to stay in Rio longer and spend at least one sunny, warm day at Copacabana beach if just to people watch alone. That would make for an entertaining day I think. Maybe next time as I had to move north to my next planned destination.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top