forestlake
Buenos Aires - Day 4
Thursday 26th October
Every Thursday at 3.30pm the ´mothers of the
disappeared´ walk around the Plaza de Mayo. I´d read
about this at school and then in my guide book so when
I actually saw it, it felt almost unreal.
In the ´dirty war´of the 1970s 9000 people disappeared
(the official number but human rights organisations it
closer to 20,000). Mothers and relatives have since
campaigned for information on their loved ones and for
the accountability of those involved.
It´s a very moving experience. About 20-25 frail old
ladies arrive just before 3.30, greet and hug each
other. They´re all wearing white head scarves with
blue embroidered ´mothers of the disappeared´. They
set up stands selling postcards, books and trinkets to
highlight their cause. Ten minutes later they have
linked arms and are walking around the square holding
a banner. Some seem happy to chat and re-tell their
experiences to visitors but I feel uneasy about
starting a conversation about what happened to them
(I´d make a terrible journalist!). One does smile at
me and I feel compelled to give her a hug as if she
were my grandmother.
After the march around the obelisk in the square they
walk up to the Casa Rosada and one of these feisty
characters makes a compelling speech to the crowd
about corruption and imbalance of wealth. They then
disband, take off their headscarves and go their
separate ways.
Tonight I go and see another tango show at Cafe
Tortoni, a famous grand art nouveau styled cafe. The
music, particularly the pianist and the accordionist
are amazing. The dancing is pretty good too.
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Buenos Aires - Day 4
Thursday 26th October
Every Thursday at 3.30pm the ´mothers of the
disappeared´ walk around the Plaza de Mayo. I´d read
about this at school and then in my guide book so when
I actually saw it, it felt almost unreal.
In the ´dirty war´of the 1970s 9000 people disappeared
(the official number but human rights organisations it
closer to 20,000). Mothers and relatives have since
campaigned for information on their loved ones and for
the accountability of those involved.
It´s a very moving experience. About 20-25 frail old
ladies arrive just before 3.30, greet and hug each
other. They´re all wearing white head scarves with
blue embroidered ´mothers of the disappeared´. They
set up stands selling postcards, books and trinkets to
highlight their cause. Ten minutes later they have
linked arms and are walking around the square holding
a banner. Some seem happy to chat and re-tell their
experiences to visitors but I feel uneasy about
starting a conversation about what happened to them
(I´d make a terrible journalist!). One does smile at
me and I feel compelled to give her a hug as if she
were my grandmother.
After the march around the obelisk in the square they
walk up to the Casa Rosada and one of these feisty
characters makes a compelling speech to the crowd
about corruption and imbalance of wealth. They then
disband, take off their headscarves and go their
separate ways.
Tonight I go and see another tango show at Cafe
Tortoni, a famous grand art nouveau styled cafe. The
music, particularly the pianist and the accordionist
are amazing. The dancing is pretty good too.
Send instant messages to your online friends uk.messenger.yahoo.com