



From the centre of BA getting to the Boca is not problem. Taxi or bus will get you there, our choice was the 152 from the Correos or Post office on Leonardo Alem close to the junction with Correntes.

Bombonera



We were early. The market stalls which attract visitors on Sunday's were just beginning to open. They mainly sold poor quality replica shirts and designer goods. There, two blocks away and towering like the mightiest cathedral, a remarkable building. The Bombonera is home to the local football side, the world famous Boca Juniors.





Here was the place were Diego Maradona and Antonio Ratin, colourful and controversial captains of Argentina plied their trade.



It was match day and five hours before the game started the stadium was welcoming TV crews and support vehicles before 49,000 spectators took their place for the highlight of their weekend.



We were not there for the football that day but there will be much more about Argentine football in a later posting.



Back to the heart of Boca and on this sun kissed day the colourful buildings of blue, yellow and red shimmered. You could see that once upon a time this area had very little and though it was not exactly being gentrified, Boca was throwing open its arms to the world and encouraging it to visit.

Vibrant Boca

It was match day and five hours before the game started the stadium was welcoming TV crews and support vehicles before 49,000 spectators took their place for the highlight of their weekend.We were not there for the football that day but there will be much more about Argentine football in a later posting.Back to the heart of Boca and on this sun kissed day the colourful buildings of blue, yellow and red shimmered. You could see that once upon a time this area had very little and though it was not exactly being gentrified, Boca was throwing open its arms to the world and encouraging it to visit.





Our eye was caught by one of the paintings you can see at the bottom of the picture to the right. A short haggle and the painting was ours to proudly display when we arrived home.



By noon the numbers were beginning to swell and the football crowd was yet to arrive so it felt like time for lunch.



We chose a place on one of the main pedestrian streets. We selected pasta which was agreeable and were entertained to a tango by a couple

There was much to see. You can wander through the streets and simply photography the many outstanding buildings. Apart from the market stalls, individual shops tempt you spend you tourist dollar on handicrafts or souvenirs.Our eye was caught by one of the paintings you can see at the bottom of the picture to the right. A short haggle and the painting was ours to proudly display when we arrived home.By noon the numbers were beginning to swell and the football crowd was yet to arrive so it felt like time for lunch.We chose a place on one of the main pedestrian streets. We selected pasta which was agreeable and were entertained to a tango by a couple on a small wooden stage.



They received donations from admiring diners after their 10 minute performance. This might sound like the worst of tourist traps but it seemed to us that most of our fellow diners had come to Boca from other parts of Buenos Aires. They admired the dancing and were certainly more expert than us.



By early afternoon the streets of Boca were completely full and only a handful of football fans had arrived. We had clearly chosen well in our decision to arrive early but now was time to leave. The 152 leaves from the dock area unmissable besides two giant iron bridges which you can see for miles from other parts of the city.



We were really impressed by Boca that Sunday morning. It just teemed with life and happiness. But the lasting memory is the extraordinary colours. Boca simply glowed that warm September day.







On a bright a beautiful Sunday morning here was one of Buenos Aires most colourful neighbourhoods of barrios. Read any literature about the area and it seems to have two personalities. The painted splendour or a rejuvenated area underpinned by petty crime. What were we to discover?