Jack and I had lunch before we walked around. Boca had a lot of Italian immigrants, so it wasn't hard to find good Italian food. As I'm sure I've mentioned, the Argentinians love ham. So do I. My lunch today was meat sauce over ravioli stuffed with ham and ricotta. It was definitely one of the best meals I've had here! Jack and I gave up trying to find a sushi restaurant after Jack asked a few locals in broken Spanish where the sushi restaurants were... We were invariably confused by their responses and directed toward Italian restaurants. That works for me!
As for the photos, I'll first share those demonstrating the fanaticism surrounding Argentina's most popular club soccer team, Boca Juniors who a
Boca is famous for its soccer club, Boca Juniors. Almost everywhere you turn, you'll find Boca Juniors colors...
...this place is no exception. It's a restaurant and sports bar across the street from La Bombanera, Boca Junior's stadium. I can't imagine it's easy to be served here after a Boca match!
Speaking of La Bombanera...
...this place is impressive. It seats 60,000 people. One day, I hope to be one of the 70,000 in attendance for the Superclasico-the game between Boca and their rivals River, named the #1 event every sports fan must experience.
Notice that these Coca-Cola signs are black. Jack told me that they're the only black Coca-Cola signs in the world because River's colors are red and white and the proprietor of Boca's stadium at the time said (by Jack's account), "Yeah... That's not happening" when told by their sponsor to sport their rivals' colors.
This is one of my favorite photos from the day-definitely my favorite having to do with soccer. This is Boca (CABJ)'s crest smashing through River (CARP)'s!
This person's home is essentially a monument to Boca Juniors. This photo shows the evolution of CABJ's crest. The stars in each panel represent titles won-international titles above, and Argentinian league titles below.
I also love this one (sorry Jonty). Diego Maradona is a national icon in Argentina. If you're at all familiar with soccer, you should be familiar with Maradona. The Hand of God is the most infamous goal in World Cup history. Maradona's also got an interesting personal life, including: illegitimate children, steroids, a beautiful wife, and one of world history's most expensive cocaine habits. He played for a brief time with Boca Juniors and in the mural above is portrayed removing his international jersey to reveal the Boca jersey underneath.
That's about as much soccer as this American can handle...
The rest of Boca is unlike anything I've ever seen. For those of you who enjoy the photos and not my writing (I have only Lynley in mind!), you'll love the rest of this post!
Nearly as interesting as the colorful houses and businesses is the street art.
This one's for Greg. I love the commentary.
This is great stencil work! I'm really glad I stumbled on these.
Of course, you've gotta save the best for last.
Once again, thank you all for your continued interest in my travels and for all the positive feedback... I sincerely appreciate it. Even you, Jasmine. What started out as a way for me to remember my trip and "bring my family along with me" has turned into its own little phenomenon. I feel like I'm in The Beatles. Dazzamania!
