it happens that being back in such a large city is incredibly stimuating...almost, in fact, as the first time we rode through the andes. my senses go crazy and wild with excitement wanting to photograph everything...so i narrowed down a few scenes in my mind...things that i believe capture buenos aires.
1. carts. i feel a little dr. suessey writing this but there are carts on bikes, carts on people, carts on cars...what these carts are used for is not entirely clear. the streets are narrow and i assume they are collecting cardboard and trash from the curbsides while others are making deliveries.
2. balconies. the unique iron design of balconies on each apartment building. the balconies where plants burst from them...big leafy plants, plants with flowers, and plants that climb into the next balcony. yeah, a balcony is a thing of beauty...an opportunity, if you will, for self expression where otherwise everything would be the same. as a stranger to the city it´s been fun to walk up and down unknown streets looking up at and into balconies.
3. the old european looking women, who even though they look as though they are about to fall over have not retired their heels. they may be bundled in sweaters on such a lovely day but do not take away those heels!
4. street signs...or any signs for that matter. the font on the various signs is comical in some ways. some look like circus writing while others are stencils or caligraphy. most are brightly colored. and the street names are great...most street names through argentina, in fact, are named after important dates such as "25 de mayo" or "9 de julio".
5. school kids standing in uniformed herds. some uniforms look like lab coats while others are the traditional plaid. the little lab coats make it look like the kids are pretending to be scientists...with converse sneakers on, of course!
6. the streets and streets of old buildings colliding with the modern world. this display really makes the city feel timeless. it´s true. hours and hours can slide by here without your consent and you´d swear it was still 10am in the morning. the city feels like a brand new day always regardless of physical time.
7. rows and rows of freshly baked pastries in shop windows.
8. subway stations. the old tiles, the tranquil ebb and flow of people. the loud rattle of the trains echoing in the underground tunnels.
9. murals everywhere. stenciled murals, bright colorful murals, posters, banners...
10. street musicians and performers. while every city can boast of their underground talent, there´s a fresh, sassy energy in these performers be it tango or a funk band.
11. the sidewalks. they are patched together with different desgins and change about every half block or so. it never gets boring.
12. the dogwalkers. today i saw one guy with about 15 dogs and later i saw another dog walker with his dogs still tied to their leashes napping in the park. somehow all the dogs were tranquil and napping as well.
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