Architecture tour:
On Thursdays, we have scheduled group excursions. Last week was the tango class and this week was a tour of the famous architecture in the city of Rosario. It was really interesting to learn about the history of the buildings that I am surrounded by. I walk by some of them everyday, before not knowing of their importance in shaping the not only the city skyline but also the history. The different waves of immigration greatly influenced the architecture of the buildings and the unique styles of Italian, French and Spanish architects creates a beautiful blend of buildings and structures throughout el centro de Rosario. My favorites are: "El monumento de la bandera"- the monument of the flag which is located only 4 blocks from my apartment which both honors the Argentine flag and houses the crypt of its creator 50 m below the grounds surface. It is a huge part of daily life in the city and on any given day it is crowded with everything from groups of schoolchildren, families enjoying the fresh air, business people having a lunch break and of course, tourists like me. My other favorite is "El Club Español" which back in the 19th century was an elite social club for Spanish immigrants and their descendents. With an appearance that reminds me of a palace, the building has a very regal atmosphere and I could picture the Spanish aristocrats in their finest evening wear gathering for an evening of dinner and dancing. The idea behind the clubs was to preserve the culture of the mother country and provide a social atmosphere for the upper-most class of Rosarian society.
El monumento de la bandera
The exterior of "El club español"
Staircase and the entrance of "el club español"
Beautiful glasswork on the ceiling directly above the staircase
One of the ballrooms inside "El club español"
A day spent on the riverfront:
El río (river) Paraná creates the eastern border of the city of Rosario and the riverfront (called the Costanera) has been developed into various parks and recreation areas. There are many cafés and restaurants with outdoor patios with spectacular views. The parks are constantly filled with people enjoying the outdoors and every Saturday and Sunday the walkways are lined with an artisan fair that I love going to. The handmade jewelry and all of the leather products are just beautiful and very reasonably priced. Every sunny weekend day thus far I have walked the miles along the river, stopping along the way to sit in the sun for a café con leche and to make purchases from the artisans.
La Costanera
nothing like a long walk along the river on a beautiful day :)
looking down the Costanera
(Look Elias, Rosario has a skatepark!)
View of the Paraná
my new purchases!
New argentine friends:
The people of Rosario are some of the friendliest and most welcoming that I have met! I have really loved getting to meet argentines close to my age and experiencing what it is like to be young in Rosario.
a picnic of pizza and empanadas with a group of new rosarian friends!
before heading out for a night on the town
the biggest fans of Newell's Old Boys
they're really fun to watch the soccer games with, although I have never heard quite so many insults yelled at the television before!
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