San Telmo is, in my opinion, the heart of Buenos Aires. The narrow cobbled streets, European style architecture and the multiple antique shops, grand cafes and tiny boutiques make this a very interesting neighbourhood to explore.
San Telmo is clearly the arts centre of Buenos Aires which is evident not only in the numerous art galleries that line the street but in the people you meet here. Street entertainers, photographers, artists and of course the multiple musicians that occupy space along the alleyways. Every type of music can be found here from live tango music to 8 piece bongo bands to my favourite to date; the old lady playing bottletops with chopsticks.
Cheerfully colourful La Boca, with its interesting coloured houses and antique shops has unfortunately become over run with tourists, touts and tango dancers. Luckily, the first time I visited this little neightbourhood it was calm and quiet with just a few artists and musicians amongst the multi-coloured old shanty houses.
However, it is easy to stumble across the wrong side La Boca, where you will find a very different view of this little barrio that is not so welcoming or colourful. Mis amigos and I soon realised why the tourists tend to stick to one particular area of this neightbourhood!
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