Argentina is famous for many things: Eva Perón, fantastic beef (too bad I´m vegetarian now), intricate wines (one must try Malbec), astonishing glaciers, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, repeated economic crises. But, if there is one thing that could define the cultural identity of Argentina outside of its borders, it would have to be tango. One need only walk down the busy Avenida Florida, visit a park on a nice day or cruise a weekend féria (street fair) to see authentic tango in the streets.
However, my previous experiences living in Buenos Aires did not necessarily echo this cultural sentimentality. To my friends, tango is a touristy thing that is only appreciated by extranjeros. Well, my friend Meg and I made a point to see a tango show while in Buenos Aires, and we decided to go to a famous Porteño landmark called Café Tortoni. Appreciated or not, tango is breathtaking to watch! It is also important to note that tango is more than just a dance. It is a genre. Along with the dance steps, a person can sing and/or play music in the style of tango, and its sound is distinctly original and authentically Argentine.
In my next entry I will begin sharing images from Uruguay. Montevideo is such a fantastic city, and its buena onda is totally understated. Yesterday, one of Uruguay´s most famous and beloved authors, Mario Benedetti, passed away at 88 years of age. His body was on display at the Palacio Legislativo and I went to the Congressional building to pay my respects. Today is a sad day in Montevideo.
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