people of buenos aires, argentina

My most favorite part of traveling is interacting with the local people.  This could be just a connection made through a smile or a nod, but the best is through a brief conversation even with a language barrier.  For me, it’s pure bliss to gain a feeling of understanding and belonging in their country and walking away with a story!   And Buenos Aires did not disappoint.

 

This gentleman was sitting outside of the Recoleta Cemetery drinking his mate.  I first noticed his Yankees cap and of course I was immediately drawn to him.  I pointed at his hat and then to my camera.  He didn’t hesitate to allow me to photograph him.  Through hand gestures, I tried to explain that I lived in New York and loved that he was wearing his Yankees cap while drinking his mate.  It wasn’t until we were discussing this man later did I realize he was wearing prosthetics on both of his legs.  He was so sweet.  (More on the Recoleta Cemetery in a later post!)

 

Roaming the streets one afternoon in San Telmo, an old vacant building behind an iron gate caught our attention.  Appearing closer, we could see an old tank type vehicle filled with books.  What the heck?  Taking photos caught the attention of the owner so he approached the fence as curious of us as we were of him.  Seeing our interest he fired up this contraption to move it so we could have a better look.  His name was Raul and we learned he built his tank in Bolivia in response to President Bush’s hunt for “weapons of mass destruction” resulting in the naming of his tank the  “weapons of mass instruction.”  His mission in life?  To provide books to people who don’t have access and to bring peace to the world.  He wasn’t keen on having his photograph taken though, so I didn’t press my luck!

 

Throughout my stay I’d been keeping an eye out for a good photographic opportunity to capture workers firing up their grills on the street for a quick break to grab lunch.  Walking through Palermo Soho provided that opportunity.  The smell of grilled peppers, chicken, steak and sausage on an open grill…imagine.  As I approached the grill, the man tending it immediately started talking to me.  I pointed at my camera and he says ten dollars.  Ten dollars?  No way…I started to walk away.  But he was only kidding and he took great interest in me wanting to take his photo.

Not only did I get a few shots, but a bite of delicious grilled meat AND a drink of his wine straight from his wine bottle.  A priceless encounter!

 

There will be a future post on the San Telmo Market, but this particular stall owner was more than happy for me to photograph her.  She was so photogenic, but unfortunately for me (fortunate for her) she had customers about the time I was really getting into it!  She was the perfect model!  So willing, so generous, so nice!

Fun encounters with wonderful people!

Next up?  One of my absolute favorites in Buenos Aires…the Recoleta Cemetery!