La Boca

Again, these are not new pics for me but, my blog, so I do what i want!

La Boca is one of the city's oldest neighborhood and according to most, also one of the most dangerous. The pics here are of one main drag of the neighborhood (Caminito) which is pretty safe by day for tourist but by afternoon those that do not wish to rob you are encouraging you to leave. Hard to imagine with all this color that its not a fairlyland of fun.

As you may already be expecting by this photo there is Tango dancing here and if you happen to fancy being sandwiched between a slimy looking and acting man and his partner, also not so fortunate looking, they are more than willing to give you a lesson while others watch on from the restaurant table. p.s. prime pickpocking time (trust me, you don't smell good enough for him to get that close).

The story goes that the leftover pain from nearby barges was used to paint their houses. Personally, I can't imagine a barge being any one of these colors but alas, I am no Argentine.

Still trying to figure our the backgroud for all of these funny statues. I loved them, but why?

I thought this was funny! Even the Lonely Planet guide book puts a disclaimer on the neighbood.

Here goes:
BOCA WARNING

La Boca is not the kind of neighborhood for casual strolls - it can be downright rough in spots. Don't stray far from the riverside walk, El Caminito or the Bomberera stadium, especially while toting expensive cameras. And certainly don't cross the bridge over the Riachuelo. There's nothing you'd really want to see outside the touristy areas anyway.

That being said, I felt pretty safe!