We spent the third day in La Boca. The name of this barrio means ¨the mouth,¨ which I think has to do with it´s rich history as a port. This poor neighboorhood was influenced by Benito Quinquela Martin at the turn of the 20th century. He was a painter that transformed this part of Buenos Aires in terms of art and color, and his most famous works include the picture I posted (taken from the side of a hospital building) of sailors frantically unloading a burning ship. Apparently, Mussolini unsuccessfully tried to buy this artwork from him with a blank check.Anyway, the people of this neighborhood have adopted Martin´s style and flair, and have turned these blocks into a burgeoning art scene. However, the hawkers have turned the block called ¨Caminito¨into an uncomfortable touristy area where we were constantly hassled to have a coffee or browse in a shop. I do admit that the block was artsy and the photos were worth the hassle. I also was happy to get a look at La Bombonera (´the candy box´) which is the stadium for the popular Buenos Aires soccer team, Boca Jr. It has unique murals painted along the side of the stadium that included a smiley with soccer ball teeth and a mermaid being saved by a fireman.
We finished the day off with a dinner and a tango show near our accomodations. Although the photos are unclear, I quite like how they depict the fast movement of tango dancing.
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