If the parks were plentiful, the monuments are even more so. There is a marble head for just about every public figure imaginable. All of the parks and many of the street corners memorialize the historical and cultural figures of Argentina in stone, be it a simple bust or an ornate fountain, tower or facade. Events are also immortalized. This is one place where the nation's history is front and center at every turn.
In addition to the solid and official stone remembrances, just like anywhere else in the world, homespun memorials crop up in the likely places as well. Namely, along the side of the roads. Whether its honoring a deceased motorist or pedestrian, paying homage to a hero gaucho, or perpetuating legends and folklore, the roadside memorials are informal and improvised. This one (pictured below) was my favorite. It's a memorial to a miracle. The legend goes that a pregnant woman who was traveling across the Andes to give birth was unable to complete her journey because she ran out of water. Parched and unable to continue, she gave birth in the mountains, but died shortly thereafter. However, the baby was able to survive on her Mother's milk for three days until he was found. The offerings are bottles of water, naturally.
If the parks were plentiful, the monuments are even more so. There is a marble head for just about every public figure imaginable. All of the parks and many of the street corners memorialize the historical and cultural figures of Argentina in stone, be it a simple bust or an ornate fountain, tower or facade. Events are also immortalized. This is one place where the nation's history is front and center at every turn.
In addition to the solid and official stone remembrances, just like anywhere else in the world, homespun memorials crop up in the likely places as well. Namely, along the side of the roads. Whether its honoring a deceased motorist or pedestrian, paying homage to a hero gaucho, or perpetuating legends and folklore, the roadside memorials are informal and improvised. This one (pictured below) was my favorite. It's a memorial to a miracle. The legend goes that a pregnant woman who was traveling across the Andes to give birth was unable to complete her journey because she ran out of water. Parched and unable to continue, she gave birth in the mountains, but died shortly thereafter. However, the baby was able to survive on her Mother's milk for three days until he was found. The offerings are bottles of water, naturally.
No comments:
Post a Comment