SOME SOUVENIRS FROM ARGENTINA
The buildings have more variation than you can imagine. The Parisian streets of Ricoleta andBarrio Norte pressed against bus station shanties. The occasional Supermercado,painted in bright colours, displaying fruit and old men. Peering into it’smixings of poverty and sophistication, Argentina is fascinating. Beunos Aireslast true hayday was in the 30’s and there is some places left behind to proveit. We saw some beautifulbuildings, complete with large neon signs and leafy boulevards.
In the centreof the massive city lies Microcentre, packed with people shopping down thenarrow corridors buying everything from bootlegged adapters, mate cups from themiddle of the street to leather shops, banks and Argentinean grills (parilla’s)selling you all cuts of overcooked beef.
Argentinean music mirrors the complexities of the citiesarchitecture. In San Telmo, youngdancers move to tango music for the tourists. You can feel the sadness and angst of the Argentinean peoplein the tango instruments and voice.Then, you have Lady Gaga.Something in me is saddened by the globalization of music. It’s nothing personal against her butI’ve heard at least one of her songs in every country (village or city) I’ve been to. When the world becomesmore globalized and homogenized in culture, we’re forced to listen to big nameAmerican (or at least English) acts and not the other way around. It creates a culture that cravesspectacle and empty American values. I often wonder how we find a balance: to allow new culture in whilst not neglecting our roots...
