Rosario Argentina

Rosario, Argentina is a city of over 1 million people. It is a middle class city whose people are mostly of Spanish and Italian descent. It is difficult to say what characterizes this city as being among the most interesting in Argentina. Some might argue that it is its beautiful architecture, its shopping, its food, or its recreational opportunities along the Rio Parana. I choose to believe the city is most importantly characterized by its people. The Rosarinos are among the friendliest people I have met.

Where am I and Which Way Do I Go?

I sizable part of the traffic grid near the river is characterized by narrow one way streets. The names of streets are painted on corner buildings. An arrow shows the direction of cross-traffic. There are few stop signs so a rookie driver such as myself had to be especially careful at intersections.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo

One of the more recognizable structures in the urban landscape of Rosario is the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Contemporary Art Museum). It is a series of converted grain silos painted in pastel colors. The museum is located along the Rio Parana. At the water line, I'm told there is a very nice restaurant.

Shopping at the Supermarket

One way to appreciate the everyday lives of a city's residents is to see where they shop and what they eat. In Rosario, I took the opportunity to visit a few grocery stores and small markets. Much of what I found was the same as any similar store in the U.S. with the exception of how the food was presented and its cost in U.S. dollars. The currency exchange is about 3 pesos per U.S. dollar meaning that the meat shown at $2.18 (pesos) per kilo (1 kilo = 2.2 pounds) is about 70 cents U.S. per pound! I found butternut squash in every market, often cut in half to reveal its quality. Detergent was packaged in small bags rather than bottled liquids or boxed powder. The wine is astonishly inexpensive. In the grocery stores, a wide variety of wines including my favorite varietal, Malbec, rarely exceeded $3.00 U.S. per bottle.

Bicycle Race

While in Rosario, I had the pleasure of enjoying the last day of a major bicycle race for Argentina, the Campeonato Argentina de Ruta. The race that day was a criterium and orginated in the Parque Urquiza along the Rio Parana. The speed of the riders was incredible, especially when they rounded corners on cobblestone streets.

Old Co-exists with the New

Rosario is a contrast between a modern city and simpler life. On one corner sits a modern looking building and on the other corner, a horsedrawn carriage mixing with traffic on the busy Boulevard Nicasia Orono. In between, a pickup truck with a bed full of eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables delivered right from the farm.

Rosario - A City by the River

Rosario is located about 3 hours from Buenos Aires and is situated on the Parana River. The river is a popular gathering place for recreation, casual dining, and the occasional purchase. The fish pictured in this post were harvested from the river. A terrific restaurant called Escauriza serves a variety of grilled fish from the river. My favorites were Boga and Dorado. Signage suggests that these large fish can be purchased 3 for 10 pesos which equates to about $1.00 USD per fish!

Perhaps the most prominent landmark or feature on the Parana River is the Rosario Victoria Bridge which separates the cities of Rosario and Victoria. Both are located in different states of Argentina. The bridge was completed in 2002 and is a beautiful structure with a total length of 4,098 meters.

Rosario Parks

Rosario has some nice parks located in the shopping districts, in neighborhoods, and along major boulevards. The largest of these parks is the Parque de la Independencia along Boulevard Nicasio Orono. The park contains a hippodrome, lake, bridges and statuary. Mostly, the park is made interesting by the people who enjoy it with their families, friends, and lovers. As with any good park, food is available in the form of popcorn, hot dogs (panchos), cotton candy, and a type of crispy food resembling a pretzel. People found many ways to relax including the use of rented boats, walking, and enjoying picnics. Many people could be seen enjoying the mate - a drink of friendship serverd in a special cup with a metal straw that is passed among close friends. An example of the cup can be seen in the photo featuring the young lovers.

Rosario - A Shopper's Paradise

Shopping areas are plentiful in Rosario. I visited one mall Rosario Alto which was contructed within an old railway depot. However, a far more interesting experience can be had by strolling the long multi-block promenade on Cordoba street which emanates from the shores of the Parana River. Scores of shops, both international and local line, the promenade area. Also located along the promenade is the Falabella department store which is apparently a big chain in Argentina. The store I visited was very old. Each floor had ornate wrought iron railings. I believe the building dated back to the early 1900's. One area specializing in jewelry was on Maipu, although it was closed at the time I visited the area.

With a favorable exchange rate, it wasn't hard to find a bargain. If I had the time or inclination, I could have purchased a very nice suit for a reasonable price. I thought it might be cool to buy a pair of blue jeans but the most common brands were Lee and Levi's. No Brazilian brands at first glance so I just moved on.

Golden Arches

McDonald's is the most visible U.S. fast food chain in Argentina. Food is pretty much the same, as it should be. Note that the prices are in Pesos which are roughly 1/3 the value of a US dollar. So, a $12.00 peso item is really only $4.00 US.

Coffee Shops

Coffee shops are very popular in Argentina. They can be found on many popular street corners similar to larger cities in the U.S. Coffee is served strong here. Two major differences however. First, the coffee cups are very small as shown in the picture. No grand size lattes here. Second, in nearly five days in 4 different South American cities, I did not see a single Starbucks!

Rosario Candy Store

Candy is very popular in Rosario. Some candies are only available there. Note the variety in the candy bar aisle.

Monumento as Bandeiras - Rosario, Argentina

This series of photographs captures the main features of the Monumento Nacionale as Bandeiras in Rosario, Argentina. The monument area has a long marble walkway which approaches two pools with statuary which leads to a structure of columns. Passing through the columns and down a long series of steps, a tower stands at the end of the monument. The tower is flanked on the left by a wall with carved refief figures. A trip to the top of the tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the Parana River.

Sao Paulo Skyline

The city of Sao Paulo is a vast landscape of high-rise structures and millions of residents. Population statistics suggest it is the 4th largest city in the world behind Tokyo, Mexico City and Mumbai. With over 17 million people, it's difficult to imagine how the city works but it does. Traffic is bad but it moves. People generate waste but somehow it gets removed. People need to eat and somehow it gets there. This trip only provided an opportunity to get a passing glance of the city and its inhabitants, mostly from the back seat of a cab. Hopefully, I will return someday and experience it at a deeper level.

Caipirinha

The national drink of Brazil is called a Caipirinha. It's a mixture of fresh limes, dissolvable sugar, ice, and a liquour called cachaca. Cachaca is distilled from sugar cane. The limes are cut and pummeled to release the flavor from the juice and rind, sugar is added to taste along with the ice and cachaca. The mixture is then shaken and poured into an old fashion style glass. Heaven!

Vill D'aldeia Churrascaria - Sao Jose dos Campos

Brazil is famous for its Churrascarias which are grill restaurants featuring various meats including beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. Each also has exceptional salad bars with traditional as well as exotic offerings. Once a patron is ready to eat meat, he turns over a marker and the servers begin rotating to your table offering a slice of meat. If you want a piece, they will slice it part way and you then pluck it with some tongs and they slice it the rest of the way. The server then returns it to the grill where it is re-seasoned and then cooked some more for the next round. This process continues until you use your marker to indicate you have had enough. It's a bit theatrical, much like a Benihana restaurant for Japanese food but it is a real dining treat not to be missed in a trip to Brazil.

Haves and Have Nots

Sao Paulo is a city of haves and have nots. One interesting feature of poor areas is the presence of graffiti on buildings. It's not so much that there is graffiti. That can be found everywhere. The interesting question is how they get the graffiti written on the second floor of a building.

Sao Jose dos Campos Landscape

Landscape at Sao Jose dos Campos, a city of 600,000 located about 100km from Sao Paulo.

My Favorite Name for a Burger Chain

No caption needed!

Faces on the Wall

These faces were part of the wall of a building that appeared to be a museum or cultural center. A little blurred as the result of being taken from a moving taxi.

Monumento as Bandeiras

This is the stunning Monumento as Bandeiras located in Sao Paulo's Praca da Paz on the street known as Avenue 23 de Maio.

Papa Frites

Potato chips are very popular but only available in small bags. Perhaps that's why the Paulistas are thinner than we here in the U.S.

Motorcycle Delivery Men

Delivery of packages, food, or presumably anything small can be delivered by motorcycle in Sao Paulo.

Soldiers in Sao Paulo

Keeping or restoring order is apparently part of the responsibility of Brazil's military. They appear to be a proud military.

Patio do Colegio

This building and statue comprise the Patio do Colegio in Sao Paulo's center city district.