It is the people of the slums of Buenos Aires who remember Pope Francis the most. Back then they knew him simply as Bergoglio, or Father Jorge. He spent much of his time in places such as villas 21-24, shantytowns where he would wash the feet of the poor, give confessions and hold communion. “He […]
Telos: History & Myths of Argentine Sex Hotels
Typical telo customers The range of Argentine sex hotels run from low-end, basic and frequented by prostitutes to full-blown luxury suites with two floors, a kitchen, garden and a pool table — there is a telo out there for everyone. Ask any group of Argentines, and a deluge of telo stories about their ‘friends’ […]
Crazy Fist: The Life and Tragedies of Boxer Carlos Monzón
I made the whole world talk, their hearts beat. I made them see that everybody has blood. –Leon Gieco, Puño Loco The exemplar of calculated aggression in the boxing ring, Carlos Monzón was at times a blazing, uncontrollable menace out of it. He was Argentina’s über-celebrity of the 1970’s. He dated the most famous movie […]
Jewish Life in Argentina: A Cultural Guide
A trip to McDonald’s may not be the first item on a Jewish traveler’s to-do list when arriving in a new city. But there is something special about Buenos Aires: it is home to the only kosher McDonald’s outside of Israel. The kosher version of the golden-arched fast food chain is found in the Abasto […]
Lionel Messi: Argentine Soccer’s Messiah
Argentina’s Lionel Messi was passed over for 2013’s Ballon D’Or, the ‘Golden Ball’ award given to the best footballer in the world over the past 12 months, but one gets the feeling that the humble, self-effacing Messi is just as happy to pass the baton to another player for a change. This year Real Madrid’s […]
