Que bueno! So, today was the Bicentenario or 200th anniversary of Argentina Independence from Spain. The celebrations have been going on since this past Friday. Well, today I got back from Mendoza via plane and I arrived so tired and wanting to fall asleep and not do anything. Well of course, when I heard about all the stuff happening and realized it is a one day thing I had to go out, even if I was tired and felt sick. I met up with Paulina and Gabby at the Obelisco and wandered around, people watching, trying to get through the crowd. We finally made it to the food stands from around the world and got through Paraguay, France, Iran and I think that was when our stomachs quit on us. We than decided to make our way over to Plaza de Mayo and check out what was happening. We knew we had to be there by 7pm, but it was still 4pm, so we thought why not Freddos? Plus I had been having some major cravings for icecream. We walked down to Puerto Madero and had some Freddos and made it back to Plaza de Mayo just in time to wait an hour or so before the show began.
Without even realizing it, we had joined in on the many people waiting for Christina Kirchner, la Presidenta de Argentina. She walked about 2 meters from where we were standing. So weird to think that we only waited 40 minutes to see her walk in front of us, where I feel that would never happen with Obama. Than the Capildo (which was I think repainted all white and the doors all shut) was used as a projection screen for this 10 min 3-D laser show illustrating the history of the past 200 years. Super cool and I cant really describe how the effects and images were, but they were very nice. After that the parade started, yet we found ourselves trapped within Plaza de Mayo and no way out...hmm. We finally made it out after some floats had left and thought of walking towards the Obelisco and ended up needing a walking break. We dropped into a restaurant, thought of just having coffee or drinks and ended up getting pizza. After being full again, sleep sounded really nice. Paulina and I decided that we should just take Peru down and it becomes Florida, which should be non busy and not blocked off and lead us to home.
When we got to where Peru and Florida converge, we saw that the parade had not fully passed and the last end of it was passing. Aka the DJ float, where it was basically speakers stacked upon speakers and three djs. If you know me, I love music and I especially love dancing. The dancing commenced and our decision to follow the Djs ensued. The police had blocked off the end of the Djs because people had wanted to start following them and were forming a group. This main group started a congo line and this distraction allowed about 20 of us or so to sneak through the fence/gate that blocked the street and walk towards the Djs. Once the police saw they failed to stop us, they let us all in and allowed us to continue dancing, walking, singing, chanting and clapping behind the DJs. It was so incredible the energy and the spirit of everyone was amazing. This kept going all the way to the Obelisco where masses upon masses of people converged. People were along the buildings, above the bus stops, on tops of trucks. All just singing, chanting and dancing together. One of the best moments was this old man on top of an advertisement of Quilmes dancing by himself and everyone slowly started seeing him and pointing up to his dance moves. This inspired the chant "Ole, ole, ole, oleee, oleeee, oleeee. Gordoo, Gordooo, Gorddooo, Gorddooo" (repeat). It was so great.
The dance party kind of fell apart as the Djs worked there way around the Obelisco. And Paulina and I just kept walking around and enjoying the atmosphere. It was soon around 1130 and the concerts had not even started, but I just could not stay awake, no matter how badly I wanted to stay out there I knew I would not fully enjoy the concert and Id probably wake up tomorrow feeling even shittier. All I can say is that this was one of the best nights and I am so glad I was in Buenos Aires and in Argentina when they celebrated there 200th "Birthday". I have never been in such a big mass of people and a mass of people all celebrating and being happy together. That feeling is indestructible and if only we could figure out how to convert that energy into our every day lives. Such an amazing time and I loved it. Viva la patria!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment