El Nuevo Papa and another Museo!

Well, it is kinda exciting to be in Buenos Aires when the new Pope, Francisco I, was announced.  Big news here!  Didn't see people dancing in the street, but the church bells were ringing!  However, the new Pope is very conservative and had actively opposed the recognition of gay marriage in Argentina, so not in our good books.

The good news is that our Internet is finally working in the apartment, so I can post from here.  Weather was a bit cooler today with a high of 20C and cloudy.  Good walking weather.  It is very strange to pass all the stores with signs heralding the new fall and winter fashions.  The summer sales are almost over.

After sending our first post this morning, we had empanadas at a small take out called Tucumanissima, featuring regional empanadas.  They bake them in Argentina rather than frying as they do in the Caribbean.  We had a pollo pasas, which is chicken with raisons.  Very flavourful.

With my empanada

We then headed out to visit the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, known as MALBA.  The Museum opened in 2001 and houses the Costantini Collection with more than 400 prized Latin American artworks.  The building is very airy and modern and shows the collection off well.  We were in between temporary shows, so just saw the permanent collection.  Here are some highlights:

MALBA

Alano on Pablo Reinoso's 2009 Enredamaderas (Bindwoods)

Me too

Joaquin Torres Garcia- New York Street 1920

Antonio Berni was a great proponent of social realism.  Manfestacion (1934) is a good example

Manifestacion (1934) by Antonio Berni (1905-81)

The Frida Kahlo picture was stunning.  I don't think I have seen this version of her favourite animals (monkeys and parrots) before.

Frida Kahlo- Self Portrait with Monkey and Parrot 1942

Miguel Covarrubias- George Gershwin: An American in Paris 1929

Grete Stern (1904-99) Dream No. 38 1949

Antonio Berni - La gran tentacion 1962

Marta Minujin and Andy Warhol:  part of: The Payment of the Argentinian External Debt
with Corn- the "Latin American Gold" 1988

The next photo is of the street besides the Museo.  Lots of modern apartment and better sidewalks.  The sidewalks are in much worse shape in other parts of the city.

We walked back to our apartment passing this terrific piece of street art.

We also stopped for groceries at a supermercado.  There is a 15% discount for seniors on Wednesdays.  We indicated that Alano was a "jubilado"(retired)  and they gave us the discount.  The clouds broke just before we got home.  The following photo is near our cross street.   Then it was home for dinner and a glass of Argentinian Malbec, of course.

Around the corner from our apartment