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South American Wildlife, Appendix

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:07:38 +0000

Is it wrong? Dropping a book called “Creativity for Life” on a South American cockroach just doesn’t seem right. I tried to shoo it toward the door, but it scurried back in. So I threw the book at him. Her? (Book recommended by Sarah Paul, good book for artists, musicians, all those types).

Our guide

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:59:49 +0000

Pablo took us on an amazing tour of Buenos Aires — the history of a nation in an afternoon.

Details, details

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:52:47 +0000

Like the US, Argentina is a melting pot and cultural mashup. Prosperous at times, and always rich culturally and in resources, Argentina has attracted great architects and ambitious builders, and Buenos Aires is beautiful as a result.

Burger King

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:42:29 +0000

Pablo showed us the most beautiful Burger King in the world—BK bought a fabulous mansion, and instead of turning it into a bland corporate burgertorium they restored it beautifully.

German HQ, and Palacio Barolo

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:37:28 +0000

Detail, Prussian ambition

Above: As I recall the story, before WW I the Germans built this office building. They expected to run South America from right here after their expansion was complete.

Below: Each of the nine vaults in the lobby of Palacio Barolo gives steps for the attainment of heaven, straight from Dante. We didn’t see the basement, but one would think it’s even more hellish.

The gates of Hell

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:25:30 +0000

The gate of hell — first floor, Palacio Barolo

The Gate of Hell

Insert ashes here

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:24:14 +0000

In the floor of the Palacio Barolo lobby is a stone intended to cover a small vault containing Dante’s ashes. After WW I an Italian faction wanted to move Dante to a safer place, guessing that another European war was going to happen some time. Dante never arrived, though the Italians were right.

Palacio Barolo

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:21:27 +0000

Every aspect of the Palacio Barolo design incorporates Dante’s Divine Comedy. It’s 100 meters tall, one for each canto. The upper floors are heaven, the middle floors are purgatory, and the lobby is the Inferno itself.

Luis Barolo hired Italian architect Mario Palanti for the building, and the Dante references were (I believe) his idea. Barolo didn’t care so much as long as it was a big tall building with his name on it.

All day Pablo had promised to guide us to the gates of hell, and like Virgil he delivered.

Cathedral

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:19:03 +0000

Al Ateneo

erictaj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:17:49 +0000

This is the view from the floor of the most beautiful bookstore in Buenos Aires, in a restored opera house. There’s a cafe, of course, and a good piano player at the grand piano. Take notes, Starbucks. Check it, Barnes & Noble. Y’all have a long way to go.