A friend back home recently emailed to say she'd be interested to see more photos and learn more about the buildings around here -- she'd noticed the many apartment blocks where we live, and wondered if this was indicative of the Buenos Aires city scape in general. So I decided to write about that.
I'll begin with the view from our roof top terrace, where the pool is, and where we begin each morning with Tats leading us in a short exercise routine...
I'll begin with the view from our roof top terrace, where the pool is, and where we begin each morning with Tats leading us in a short exercise routine...
(click the photos to enlarge)
As evidenced by the photos above, tall buildings are in abundance here in Buenos Aires.
In a city of nearly three million people, real estate is at a premium (ironically, prices are far better than in large, North American cities), and so every square inch is consumed with concrete, be it the European architechture BA is so famous for, or more modern, western-style Condos including swimming pools, tennis courts and the ubiquitous "parilla" patio, all jammed into the common space. Buildings are literally built right up against one another, with no space in between. Even "houses" are attached to buildings on either side. Where in North America an alleyway would be found, in Buenos Aires there is a two-story house or a series of home-built shanties squeezed in under a roof of found materials.
Green Space
Portenos and Gringos alike try to counteract this building-frenzy-induced loss of green space with container gardens; the vast majority of balconies feature a variety of pots of greenery. (Our own came with no less than 9 outdoor plants; we added to that -- in more practical fashion -- a pot of cherry tomatoes and two containers of herbs, which I planted a week after our arrival!)
As evidenced by the photos above, tall buildings are in abundance here in Buenos Aires.
In a city of nearly three million people, real estate is at a premium (ironically, prices are far better than in large, North American cities), and so every square inch is consumed with concrete, be it the European architechture BA is so famous for, or more modern, western-style Condos including swimming pools, tennis courts and the ubiquitous "parilla" patio, all jammed into the common space. Buildings are literally built right up against one another, with no space in between. Even "houses" are attached to buildings on either side. Where in North America an alleyway would be found, in Buenos Aires there is a two-story house or a series of home-built shanties squeezed in under a roof of found materials.
Green Space
Portenos and Gringos alike try to counteract this building-frenzy-induced loss of green space with container gardens; the vast majority of balconies feature a variety of pots of greenery. (Our own came with no less than 9 outdoor plants; we added to that -- in more practical fashion -- a pot of cherry tomatoes and two containers of herbs, which I planted a week after our arrival!)
Depending on the neighbourhood, some streets also have a few trees. Cement barriers between bus lanes sport little clusters of flowers sprouting out from small, round holes drilled into the concrete. And then there are of course the botanical gardens, the zoo and the Japanese gardens, which are public green spaces.
Interestingly, the people crowd to these patches of green, especially on weekends.
As we witnessed during our recent visit to the eco-reserve by the water, no second thought is given to setting up a family picnic right next to a factory, so long as there is some greenery on hand!
Political Protests and Rallies
Another thing that is typical of life here is protests, and the streets are set up to reflect and support this.
As we witnessed during our recent visit to the eco-reserve by the water, no second thought is given to setting up a family picnic right next to a factory, so long as there is some greenery on hand!
Political Protests and Rallies
Another thing that is typical of life here is protests, and the streets are set up to reflect and support this.
Argentinians are a passionate bunch, and if there is something to stand up and fight for, they do so. Marches and demonstrations are as abundant in the capital as are celebrations. The other day, we stumbled upon a loud, rowdy group setting off fireworks and making all manner of noise. Although there were plenty of police on hand, we're still not sure whether it was a protest or a celebration, lol!
(click photos to enlarge)
A few days later, we witnessed another protest (this time we're certain it was one), complete with full barracades around the Pink House and surrounding area, which we were transiting. An abundance of police officers were managing the situation, including several heavily-guarded passages through the protest march route, so that non-participating locals could be on their way through the various barricaded areas with relatively minimal disruption to their day.
It is truly remarkable how "normal" this sort of activity seems to be for the average Argentinean, and I have to smile when I consider that both Alex and Simon barely noticed the police escort through the barriers and crowds while they chattered away merrily to one another as we moved through the busy city on our way to our destination that particular afternoon!
Big City Streets
Whereas many of the smaller side streets are cobble stone affairs with -- unless you live in a "suburb" like we do -- limited sidewalks, there are also several larger arteries. Some of these are 12 lanes wide... ON EACH SIDE!!! Afternoons and evenings, they are full of cars, but on a Sunday morning, they are as empty as University Avenue in Toronto at the same time of day.
A few days later, we witnessed another protest (this time we're certain it was one), complete with full barracades around the Pink House and surrounding area, which we were transiting. An abundance of police officers were managing the situation, including several heavily-guarded passages through the protest march route, so that non-participating locals could be on their way through the various barricaded areas with relatively minimal disruption to their day.
It is truly remarkable how "normal" this sort of activity seems to be for the average Argentinean, and I have to smile when I consider that both Alex and Simon barely noticed the police escort through the barriers and crowds while they chattered away merrily to one another as we moved through the busy city on our way to our destination that particular afternoon!
Big City Streets
Whereas many of the smaller side streets are cobble stone affairs with -- unless you live in a "suburb" like we do -- limited sidewalks, there are also several larger arteries. Some of these are 12 lanes wide... ON EACH SIDE!!! Afternoons and evenings, they are full of cars, but on a Sunday morning, they are as empty as University Avenue in Toronto at the same time of day.
At first I was desperate for the comparatively lush greenery of Toronto, and of course, the water. I'm getting used to looking out onto concrete rather than the lake.