Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #246
This week, Patti challenges us to present still life images. I almost sat out this challenge, since I think of my photos as experiences more than art. Patti’s photos are artistic, and are a must-see, and she also showed how the rules can be bent. Also, thanks to John for further inspiring me, so check out his his creative take on the challenge.
Still Life In La Boca: A “Model” Neighborhood
La Boca may be Buenos Aires’ most famous neighborhood. Tango started here, and the country’s most famous soccer team, Boca Junior, is just a few blocks from the touristy center.
Here at the Museo de Bellas Artes de La Boca, located in Benito Quinquela Martin’s former home, we found this beautiful model of the famous neighborhood.
The sidewalks were built high off the street level, protecting the houses from floods. The neighborhood was also the city’s port. That’s how it became a working class neighborhood.
Look at how detailed this model is, giving you the chance to peek into the buildings.
Quinquela was known as the artist who painted La Boca. He was born here in 1890. His father was an immigrant from Genoa, Italy, and his mother was indigenous.
You’re probably curious about the real neighborhood. How could I disappoint you. And, although I’m stepping out of the still life challenge, La Boca feels like life frozen in time.
This is a real-life arcade of stores in La Boca. You enter this arcade of stores from the street. The structure was once a conventillo, where many families lived, sharing a kitchen and bathrooms.
La Boca Dramatized Through Art
Aixa was explaining what she felt from this Eduardo Sivori painting. She wasn’t so happy when she noticed me a few steps back, taking her picture instead of listening to her. Oops. But Aixa is so expressive, these moments are difficult to resist.
As Aixa explained (a second time), a sailor has just died, his wife and older child are in tears and the younger child is too young to understand what’s going on.
Here is a Quinquela painting.
Stepping Into Another Era In La Boca
All of the restaurants in El Caminito (the tourist part of La Boca) offer free tango shows with your meal. Of course, it’s touristy, but tango was invented in La Boca, and the dancers are wonderful.
I’m just four blocks to the famous soccer stadium where Boca Junior plays. We could see it in the distance behind us. La Boca is very dangerous once you leave the touristy area, though. You’ll need a guide to visit the stadium.
El Obrero, A Special Restaurant For Soccer Fans
Aixa is posing with Jorge, who’s worked at El Obrero in La Boca for 58 years. The staff all live here in La Boca. The name of the restaurant means The blue collar worker.
The restaurant is a five-minute taxi ride from El Caminito. As a tourist, you come to this restaurant and you leave by taxi. The waiters will make sure you have one. It’s too dangerous to venture out on your own.
El Obrero is always crowded with tourists, celebrities (sometimes from Hollywood) and locals.The Boca Juniors players come after the games.
The portions are huge and the prices are low. Juan Carlos, one of the owners, said there aren’t any recipes or chefs.
La Boca itself feels like a museum. It’s a colorful and fun neighborhood, built by mostly Italian immigrants who struggled for a better life. You won’t want to miss it on a trip to Buenos Aires. These immigrants are the people who invented tango. And although we all know tango for the dance, the lyrics were all about the hardships of life, about drinking too much, and about heartbreak.
departing in 5 mins 🕝 
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