La Boca
Buenos Aires, Argentina
10 June 2013
La Bombonera (The Chocolate Box) has a capacity of 49,000 and is owned by Boca Juniors. The pitch is very small and is the minimum size required by FIFA at 105m x 68m.
We woke to a glorious sun rise on our humble street in San Telmo (Piedras) and decided to walk to La Boca. On the way to this famous Barrios we had to walk through Lezama Park. Above is a strange nautical monument that was gifted to Buenos Aires by the Uruguayan government to celebrate Argentina's 4th centenary.
Once through the park we head down Avenue Alte Brown.
Puente Transbordador (old one) and Puente Avellaneda (new one) are both transporter bridges . The nearest (Transbordador) was completed in 1914 and used until 1960. The one behind is newer and still in use today. The unit connects Buenos Aires with its southern province across the Riachuelo River.
Caminito means little path and it was this street that inspired the famous tango song of the same name
I try my hand at the Tango - not bad eh🕺
Sue watches in amazement as she never knew I could dance
Caricatures
Caminito is like a street museum and has lots of life size
paper mache models in windows and on balconies!
The lady in the centre could be Evita
All the walls of the buildings are brightly coloured which was occurred when the Italian immigrants originally settled in La Boca and painted their shacks with bright colours
Inside many of the boutiques, the
presence of Boca Juniors is everywhere.
presence of Boca Juniors is everywhere.
La Bombonera
We make our way from Caminito to La Bombonera to do the museum and Stadium tour. From inside you can glimpse the North Curve (the cheapest tickets in General Norte).
"Museo de la Pasion Boquenese"
Hall of fame. I tried but couldn't find Diego
The General seats on the South Curve.
This private tower is quirky, but looks great in this stadium.
Catching some sun in the main west stand
The iconic floodlights on the west stand
The boxes in the East stand are on 3 levels
with a preferential area in front.
The terrace where La Doce stand
The Copa Libertadores (South American equivalent of the Champions league) in safe hands. Boca have won it 6 times, with the last time being 2007. I also have the Intercontinental Cup under my right arm (last won by Boca in 2003).
The painting above depicts the arrival of Genoese immigrants to La Boca at the beginning of the 20thC. This event is what has shaped the club and is where it's roots are.
After the tour we head back to Caminito and on the the way we pass some potential Maradonas.
Caminito is in full swing now.
Time for a pit stop
Me next to a framed picture of a young Maradona
Lunch before heading back to San Telmo.
We cross over to our own Barrios but the
weather has changed so we head for home.
What a great day.
I love La Boca and Buenos Aires. We have been there with the Jewish tour Buenos Aires and was just amazing. We were on our way to Iguazu.
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