Mercedes Sosa

Mercedes Sosa, considered the "Voice of Latin America", has died in Buenos Aires at the age of 74. Born in San Miguel de Tucumán - where we first met in 2002 - Sosa was known for her estilo folclórico...and admired for her opposition to the military regime that overthrew the government of Argentina in 1976. A previous post regarding her powerful music and background can be found HERE.



Tania: Before I was married, I imagined this song as a lullaby for my future son. I would sing "Duerme Negrito" - Sleep Little Dark One - as I would rock him to sleep each night. I imagined him with dark skin and lots of dark hair...but Dallin is the complete opposite! While Dallin's actual lullabies are a vast selection of songs that we love, this was our song before he was born. I learned this song when I was around 14...and I planned to use it as a way to share my love of Mercedes Sosa with my children. I'm so sad that she is gone, but I know her legacy and music will live in my life forever. I hope to keep both her memory and music in the lives of our kids!

IA Travel - New Pages & Information!

Amigos/ Clients/ and Casual Blog Readers:

We have added four additional pages to the website of Imagine Argentina Travel: Cuisine, Culture, Art, and Service. It is our hope that these latest additions will further promote the wonders of Argentina as we attempt to better capture our love and passion for travel, traditions, and people. Please feel free to click on the images below to learn more!

In addition to providing customized travel itineraries across Argentina and Chile, we are now hoping to organize small-scale group trips across the region. Un fuerte abrazo para todos!

17 de Agosto: Día de San Martín

Considered the George Washington of southern South America, General José Francisco de San Martín was the chief figure in liberating Argentina, Chile, and Perú from Spanish control. Born in Argentina in 1778, San Martín led a life of military greatness before relinquishing his authority to Simón Bolívar - who would continue the further liberation of northern and central South America. Named "El Padre de la Patria" (Father of the Fatherland), San Martín relocated to Europe in his later years and died on August 17, 1850.

His greatest act of courage was the Crossing of the Andes between 1816-1817, in which San Martín led a faithful Army of the Andes from Mendoza to Chile - crossing over the rugged and dangerous peaks of the Andes Mountains. Following this ordeal, San Martín and his soldiers won the decisive Battles of Chacabuco and Maipú.

For those who have visited Argentina, you should be familiar with General San Martín. He graces the majority of the nation's central plazas - riding upon his horse and often pointing towards the west. Most cities in Argentina claim a San Martín Park, San Martín Avenue, or San Martín Plaza.

Tania and I have been fortunate to visit such landmarks from north to south during the past decade. From Parque San Martín in Salta to the great Museo de San Martín in Mendoza; from the tomb of San Martín in Buenos Aires to the quaint village square of San Martín de los Andes in Patagonia. Here are just a few photos that represent this national hero and his victorious life:

Monumento a San Martín: Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires

Cerro de la Gloria: Parque San Martín, Mendoza

Monumento a San Martín: Córdoba Capital

Manzano Histórico: Tunuyán, Mendoza

Parque San Martín: Mendoza

Plaza San Martín: Buenos Aires

Plaza San Martín: San Martín de los Andes, Neuquen

Tumba de San Martín: National Cathedral, Buenos Aires

Wordless Wednesday: Step Right Up...to the "Mate" Vending Machine!

Mercado Central: Open to the Public

Welcome to the Central Market of Mendoza. You will find such public markets in every major city across Argentina...and South America. Here, you will discover a brilliant variety of colors and smells...some more pleasant than others. Grocery stores provide the basic cooking ingredients, while these public markets offer aisle upon aisle of multiple spices and condiments: whole cloves, licorice root, and at least 60 variations of aji (chili powder). Fresh fish and clams arrive from Chile each morning, packed in ice-filled wooden crates that are later stacked behind the counter. Hundreds of dried fruits and nuts are available for clients, often perplexing the amateur shopper...and resident gringo. Stacks of fresh produce allure clients for their low prices, while piles of cow brain and chicken feet are displayed in the next booth. Head over to the meat stand and pick out a favorite cow tongue, or a scoop of moist kidneys. Looking for some sirloin or other special cut? Feel free to ask the neighborhood butcher, but be sure to speak up over the loud buzzing of the electric bone saw cutting through ribs. Your product will be delivered with a smile...but without gloves. Man, I love this place.

Wordless Wednesday: Neighborhood Diversity?

Current Events & The Passing of Alfonsín: Argentina's Father of Democracy

Quite the memorable week in Argentina. As shared in a previous post last week titled "Report: National In-Security", Argentina has been struggling with a soaring crime rate drawing attention across the globe. It is important to emphasize recent developments in Argentina this week:

-March 24: Día de la Memoria - a national holiday to recognize the importance of both human rights and democratic government in Argentina. Just 33 years ago - March 24th, 1976 - the democratic government of Argentina was overthrown as the Dirty War began under the control of a military regime. Thousands lost their lives and/or "disappeared" from Argentina.

-March 28: Plan de Seguridad - the government of Cristina Kirchner announces this afternoon a plan to increase domestic security against the rising crime rates (2009). AR$400 million pesos will be invested into the plan: AR$350 million in Buenos Aires...and AR$50 million in Mendoza. The plan includes the hiring of 5500 police and military officers (some retired), GPS systems, 5000 outdoor video cameras, and 21,500 cell phones to be used in a neighborhood watch network.

-March 31: La Muerte de Alfonsín - as of last night, Raúl Alfonsín has died (2009). Following the violence of the Dirty War, years under a military dictatorship, a disastrous battle with Great Britain over the Falkland Islands, and the collapse of free trade policies, Argentina was ready to return to democracy in 1983...and Alfonsín took office as the first democratic president of Argentina on December 10th, 1983. Under Alfonsín, the National Commission of Human Rights was formed and the full report of all findings were published under the title "Nunca Más". Trials against the former oppressors began in 1985 for human rights abuses.

*16,000 local residents of Buenos Aires have already visited the open casket of Alfonsín located inside El Congreso (as of one hour ago). The avenues are packed with thousands more still waiting outside...all hoping to pay their respects to the modern father of democracy.

-April 2: Día de las Malvinas - a national holiday to recognize the fallen heroes of Argentina during the tragic War of Falkland Islands. Just 27 years ago - April 2nd, 1982 - Argentina's first military troops occupied the islands to reclaim the territory from Great Britain. The war was an attempt by the military government to increase its patriotic appeal to the public...but it quickly ended in defeat on June 14th, 1982 with the death of 649 Argentine men. The defeat led to the eventual return of democratic rule...and the nation's first democratic president following the Dirty War: Raúl Alfonsín.

Quite the memorable week in Argentina. And the marches, strikes, and protests continue...all hoping to obtain peace, security, and protection as a desired result.

Don't You Wish Your Bike...Was Hot Like Mine?

Once again, we must recognize the creative efforts of Argentina youth. Here, in San Juan, we find ourselves walking towards the bus terminal for our return trip home. However, something grabs Dallin's attention...and we find ourselves admiring these Argentine West Coast Choppers :)

These young men rebuild - or redesign - old bicycles with some very unique features. They then head to the bustling terminal to sell them for profit. The striking orange bike above comes complete with solid black rims and a customized blowtorch on the side - a true necessity for every outdoor excursion.

Below, we find our next model - a jet black bicycle with one very important feature: speakers! Yes, the next time you're on the run, be sure to bring your regetón with you...so the whole neighborhood can hear! Dallin found this specific model quite fascinating...

Disclaimer: Dallin learned those moves from his father...those are not latino genes.

Wordless Wednesday: The Evolution of Home Security Systems...All in the Same Neighborhood