Buenos Aires - La Boca

Little morning tour to La Boca. Took the public bus again because I’m cheap/adventurous?
Facts:
- 1870 to 1920 Argentina got 6 million immigrants (pop went from 1.5 to 6.5) 65% Italians. Most arrived and styled in La. Boca, the port neighbourhood here. Influenced the language (Argentina speaks weird Spanish). Many can still get Italian passports and Italian politicians sometimes campaign in Argentina.
- many indigenous were killed during colonialism, they also took shelter down in Patagonia because it wasn’t really colonised. Mate comes from indigenous tradition
- Tango: started from mix of immigrant music styles. Was usually between men, almost duelling competitive dance. Started in La boca. Was banned by rich people in 1904. People lived all together in big communal houses, would sometimes just rent a bed for when they came back from working 12-16 hours at the docks
- Boca Juniors (famous soccer team) stadium is here, team got its colours came from the flag of the next ship to dock at the port (Sweden). They had a game against the other club from the area River Plate, to see who got to stay in La Boca. They won so the River Plate moved across town
- dictatorship 1976 to 1983. Coup against the government , targeted particular left wing group montaneros. Killed around 30000 people over the time, often kidnapped them and kept them in camps, then pushed them out of a plane over the ocean!?
- mural of Graciela woman who started movement of women against the dictatorship. Was also noticed by international press during World Cup. They still protest sometimes.
- the crazy colours and art of the neighbourhood started from an artist guy (forgot his name) who grew up here and came back after becoming successful artist, founded an art school etc.Read more