While randomly asking tourists about Argentina’s women, some of them agree: “Argentinean women stand in contrast to other women”. “They talk a lot and scream too much”.
They are always seen keeping their figure different from other women elsewhere. But I think that is also related to Buenos Aires women”. “Argentine women are beautiful!”

As we said, much is said of Argentine women and many of them represent us around the world. I must admit that my favorite was always the same: Mafalda (argentinean graphical houmorist creation by Joaquín Salvador Lavado, QUINO).

Mafalda was born in 371 Chile Street , San Telmo. Today we will walk the streets where she grew up from her first comic appearance in 1964, when she was just 6 years old and already asking her parents and friends about issues related to peace, democracy and human rights.

San Telmo is located in the heart of Buenos Aires city, and has the historical spirit of tango and bohemia. Originally inhabited by the aristocracy, in 1870, yellow fever epidemic caused their exodus to the north. Houses with large rooms and courtyards were abandoned, gradually the site received a flood of immigrants who occupy these huge empty houses gave birth to the popular “conventillos”, now converted into art galleries and antique stores.

Over time, the earth gave room to cobblestones, which ended by giving the character we now recognize as typical of this wonderful area. Walking through its streets is an experience that takes us back to the past. Memories always mixed up with the nostalgic smell of “garrapiñada/peanut” covered by carmel), sounds of tango, foreign languages and Candombe.

At the heart of San Telmo is the Plaza Dorrego, where every Sunday is held an antique fair. Visiting the fair is travelling to ancient unknown times. Really strange objects can be found! This neighborhood is the typical example of the “Cambalache” concept. What is Cambalache? “Disorder, confusing mix of things or objects”.
The axis of the quarter is Defensa Street, which joins the two most important historical places of the city: Lezama Park and the Plaza de Mayo, where the Cathedral, the Cabildo and the Casa Rosada are.

Opposite the Parque Lezama, typical bars are still a meeting point for groups of friends who have always discussed issues related to culture and art. In the early 19th century the black population that had arrived from Africa as slaves, represented 30% of the total population of Buenos Aires. They brought the roots of what became the carnival, the comparsa and the candombe rapidly forming an essential part of Buenos Aires culture.

The so called “Casa Minima” is the narrowest house in the city, with a face width of 2.3 meters. According to legend, this house was given to a former slave who was freed after the proclamation of the law of free birth in 1813. Another typical place to visit is “The Mercadillo” a big market that is more than one hundred years old. It occupies a quarter block and was the first to function in Buenos Aires.

Among the food stalls, there is a large flea market. This spectacular place seems designed by Eiffel himself. However, it was an Argentinean visionary who created it. I can spend hours walking among the stalls of marble, iron at the ceiling, and browsing among the thousands of objects and antiques that are sold there!
Join me to my next stop of “Buenos Aires Magical Places” tour!

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About the author:

Tatiana Temerlin is an english teacher who works with very young kids / writer / actress / dancer / singer. She hosts and produces LiberaMedia.tv, a new online channel about tourism that is giving its first steps publishing Buenos Aires tours and has the hopes to go around the world showing other Magical Places to the Web Community. Visit her at http://www.liberamedia.tv