La Boca

La Boca is a barrio in Buenos Aires on the riverfront, at the mouth of the Rio Plate. It is most definitely a working class neighbourhood and a highly popular tourist destination.



Walking through the barrio, which is not accessible by subway, presents a rougher side of town; not the nicest part of the city, yet still very much a neighbourhood. Some guidebooks suggest ignoring Boca all together, others say it is unsafe at night. One source mentioned that police are there during the day to watch over the tourists; when they leave at sunset, so do the police. Somehow it doesn't seem quite that bad.

As one gets closer to the waterfront the barrio's homes and businesses become more colourful. There is a certain element of fun, and there is lots of noise and colour.

Souvenir shops and overpriced bars and poor restaurants appear as one gets to the centre of the barrio, a street called Caminito (immortalized by the tango of the same name). English and Portuguese become the most widely heard languages and tourists are everywhere.

Side streets offer a place for local artists to set up stalls and these are well worth the visit. The artists seem genuinely happy to talk with people and present their works.

Boca is a neighbourhood. Somewhat touristy in the daytime. Vibrant and colourful, and full of life, with or without the tourists and the Policia.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2013.

Dengue Fever

Throughout Argentina signs and posters are prominently featured on street corners, in Subte stations and at bus stops. Radio and television spots also remind people of the need to restrict exposure to a problem that increases in Argentina with each year: Dengue Fever.

Dengue is a problem that began only in the 1950s and has grown since. It is a virus spread mainly by several species of the Aedes mosquitoes. While millions worldwide are infected every year, about 20 000 humans die as a result of infection.


There is no vaccine,
so prevention is carried out by reducing the habitat and number of mosquitoes, and by limiting exposure to bites. Proper treatment once infected is important.

We have noticed mosquitoes since arriving in BA two months ago; mainly in the evening hours. I seem particularly suited to attracting bites. So far, no symptoms.

The kitten and the statute

Statutes attract birds, mainly pigeons.

This statute, at Plaza Italiano, also has, perched half way up, a kitten.















There are many dogs in BA. At times it seems everyone has a dog. Cats are less visible. The cats that appear in parks and along streets are often skittish and thin.