[Paisleychick-lj] Weekend fun - gracias al gobierno

[Beatrice M's blog]

[![][1]][2]  
[Buenos Aires Playa][3], originally uploaded by [blmurch][4].

Many Porteños' opinion of Macri (Mayor of Buenos Aires) is not very high. A lot of people find his political tactics heavy handed. Some even go so far as to call him a fascist. While he might not be the most popular of politicians, the Dept of Culture is heavily funded and the city puts on many cultural events. This last weekend I partook in two of them and thorough enjoyed myself.  
  
Saturday afternoon, I went to the northwest edge of the city in Nuñez to the Parque de los Niños to check out [Buenos Aires Playa][5]. It was difficult to get to, but I eventually got there by taxi. My mission was to take photos for [The Argentimes][6], but I spent a fair amount of the hot afternoon there enjoying the scene. You can see [the photos on flickr][7].  
  
There were small signs on the side of the freeway as we approached the exit and we got off the freeway right at the edge of the city limits. We passed under the Bienvenidos sign and drove down the final strip to the riverfront. I walked along the boardwalk, stopping and talking to the fishermen. Carlos and I had quite the chat. He lives in Provincia and one of his sons lives in Spain, so we chatted about living abroad and what that's like. Carlos likes to go fishing every weekend. We talked as he worked the worm onto the fishing hook. I eventually made my goodbyes and walked towards the park.  
  
As I walked over the grass, I noticed that it was littered with large black dead rhinoceros beetles. Made me think that the park had recently been sprayed with pesticides or something to try and cut down on mosquitos. Might have worked, but the park was still full of bugs.  
  
I walked over the field, through the forest and out to the area that was filled with yellow chairs and parasols. They were about three-quarters full. The chairs and parasols have been provided free by the city government until February 20th. People were relaxing under the sun, putting on sunscreen and suntan lotion & bug spray to try and keep away the mosquitos. Kids were running around and screaming and having a ball. There were many activities to keep them occupied: a reading corner, clowns putting on a show, bouncy castles and face painting among other things. There were also activities for the adults: volleyball, football, music concerts and fitness classes.   
  


[![][8]][9]  
[Swimming Prohibited][10], originally uploaded by [blmurch][4].

Swimming however - well that was off limits. The river is pretty polluted and you don't really want to go in, but some foolhardy folks ignored the signs and braved the waters. If you wanted to cool off, there were showers set up and you could play under the streams of water. Definitely not the same as playing at the beach, but I think it's a fun day out and worth the trip out there.   
  
I figured I would find out how to take the bus back. I started walking down the long road to the freeway and thought about asking for a ride from people leaving, but I didn't dare. However, as I was nearing the freeway, who should drive up, but Carlos, the fisherman. He was headed back to his home in Provincia before the traffic got too bad. He offered me a ride and I gladly accepted. He drove me to Linears where I was able to quickly catch the train back to my barrio - Once. This was much quicker than waiting for the bus and taking that all the way back across the city. Carlos proved once again the generosity and friendliness of Argentines.  
  
Sunday evening, I partook in another cultural event _gracias al gobienrno_. "Los secretos de los ojos" is a beautiful Argentine film that came out in 2009. I meant to go see it in the theater, but never got around to it. Argentina is pushing it to be nominated for "Best Foreign Film" for the Oscars. _Suerte!_. If you have a chance to see it, go for it! It is hauntingly beautiful, has a great story and was really well made.   
  
During the summer there is _"cine al estrellas"_ or "movies under the stars". This has been set up at the Rosedal in Palermo next to the Planetarium. You can drive up with your car and listen via your radio, or sit on the bleachers and listen via the speakers they have set up. I got there too late to grab a seat, so sat with my friends on the asphalt. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even though the mosquitos had a good time too.  
  
I'm looking forward to enjoying the summer cultural offerings that the government is putting on every day until February 20th. The festival is called [Aires Buenos Aires][11]. They're doing something right.

   [1]: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4277271017_77cf110c7a.jpg
   [2]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/4277271017/ (Buenos Aires Playa)
   [3]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/4277271017/
   [4]: http://www.flickr.com/people/blmurch/
   [5]: http://buenosairesplaya.gov.ar/
   [6]: http://www.theargentimes.com
   [7]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/sets/72157623093745469/
   [8]: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4278016568_c427ab38c9.jpg
   [9]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/4278016568/ (Swimming Prohibited)
   [10]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/4278016568/
   [11]: http://www.airesbuenosaires.gob.ar/home10/web/es/index.html

URL: http://paisleychick.livejournal.com/367168.html