San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of the tango and an artist’s quarter. The Spanish influence can be felt as I walked around the outdoor market in search of bombillas for yerba mate.
Next stop was La Boca, the seat of the first port of the city and where immigrants would arrive between 1880 and 1940. It was one of the original neighborhoods in B.A. with an Italian influence.La Boca was aptly named because it is located at the boca (mouth) of the Riachuelo (little river) where it merges into the much larger Rio de la Plata.It has a colorful, European flavor to it.They built their homes from limited materials they were able to gather found discarded in shipyards mainly wood and sheets of metal. The resulting structures, known as conventillos (tenement houses), provided a room for each family and one kitchen and one bathroom which were shared by all the tenants. The patio and the irregular balconies provided the meeting points where these people intermingled and shared their cultures. Though different European cultures blended together, much of the cultural essence of La Boca came from the largest group, the Genovese Italians. Seeing how many people live around the world has always provided me with a deeper appreciation of what I have in the United States.
I had a destination I needed to see, Caminito (little walkway or little pathway in spanish) which inspired a traditional, tango song. Me encanta este canción y la musica española. I have been listening to the Julio Iglesias version for years ever since I first stepped foot in Guatemala in 1983. There’s 2 versions by Julio; the tango and the slower, romantic one from the 80’s. I prefer the slower one. Check out this jody video. Julio definitely didn’t have MJ’s flair and genius for making music videos. How about his boat being pulled by a station wagon at the end? Hilarious.
Caminito
Caminito que el tiempo ha borrado,
que juntos un día nos viste pasar,
he venido por última vez,
he venido ha contarte mi mal.
Caminito que entonces estabas
bordeado de trébol y juncos en flor,
una sombra ya pronto serás,
una sombra lo mismo que yo.
Desde que se fue,
triste vivo yo,
caminito amigo
yo también me voy.
Desde que se fue
nunca más volvió.
Seguiré sus pasos,
caminito, adiós.
*Caminito que todos las tardes
Feli recorela cantando mi amor
No le digas si vuelve a pasar
Y me llanto de suello
Caminito cubierto de cardos,
la mano del tiempo tu huella borró;
yo a tu lado quisiera caer
y que el tiempo nos mate a los dos.
Desde que se fue,
triste vivo yo,
caminito amigo
yo también me voy.
Desde que se fue
nunca más volvió.
Seguiré sus pasos,
caminito, adiós.
Julio Iglesias – Caminito (English Translation)
Little path that time has erased
who together one day you saw us pass by,
I have come for the last time,
I have come to tell you about my misfortune.
Little path which you were then
lined by clover and reeds in bloom,
a shadow you soon will be,
a ghost the same as I.
Ever since she left,
sadly I live,
Little path, friend
I too am going.
Ever since she left
she never again returned.
I will follow in her footsteps,
Little path, goodbye.
Little path which every afternoon
I traveled happily singing my love
do not tell her if she comes back
that my tears watered your soil.
Caminito covered with thistles,
the hand of time has erased your imprint;
At your side I would like to fall
so that time would kill us both.
Ever since she left,
sadly I live,
Little path, friend
I too am going.
Ever since she left
she never again returned.
I will follow in her footsteps,
Little path, goodbye.
hannah kozak's blog 
Absolutely love these photos! Especially the one with the little girl in la Boca. Amazing colors. The balconies detail is so badass!
Que soave la vida….
Hannah……I have been catching up with all your blogs today….sorry I got behind. So beautiful are your photos and your words. Almost like being there. You don’t miss a beat in telling of your travels and experiences. It is so gorgeous in Buenos Aires and all the food looks and sounds divine.
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Julio!!! I’m just posting briefly to see if wordpress allow me, as …well, I shan’t bore you. Oh, also, what is “jody”? I don’t see it defined via google, either. x