Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 3 May 2015

Sunday Selections #222

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week I am going trawling back through old photos.  Photos from the holiday of my life, which culminated in a trip to Antarctica.  I have inflicted Antarctica photos on you often, but don't think I have shared these photos of La Boca, a neighbourhood in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.

It is an incredibly photogenic area, but it is now somewhat of a tourist trap and largely fake.  Originally the homes were painted in multi colours using dregs of paint because it was such a poor area.  It is I believe still a poor area for some, but money is made there.  For some, lots of money.  Now the homes are gift shops, coffee bars, restaurants, art galleries, theatres...

Just the same, I am glad to have seen it.  Despite the tourist dollars which are extracted there, it is still a tribute to people who didn't allow poverty to 'grey out their world' but lived with quirky colour.









129 comments:

  1. What great photos! Love all the colors. So pretty. =D

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    1. RaShelle Workman: It is an incredibly colourful area. And, as you say, v pretty.

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  2. It does look so interesting and full of life. I think it's awesome that you saw it in person.

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    1. mail4rosey: Antarctica trumped the trip by a long way, but I did see quite a lot of magic before and after that leg of the holiday.

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  3. It is really colorful. At least you got to see it before it became all touristy.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: It was already pretty touristy before I saw it. Fun though.

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  4. What great colors! So very Latin in their combinations. Thank you for brightening my day. :-)

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    1. DJan: I loved it. And would like to see a few more areas brightened up in similar ways.

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  5. Great pics EC ! Wonderful that you had this trip. It's a small world really since a friend moved to Argentina last November for teaching purposes ... he's sent me pics from La Boca which look very similar still.Thanks for sharing yours.

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    1. Whisper Mist: Thank you - how nice to know that some things don't change. It was more than ten years ago that I was there.

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  6. I would love to paint my house a rainbow of colours. I wonder what the neighbours would think?

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    1. Birdie: I suspect your neighbours would have a hissy fit. Or would follow suit. Which would be lovely.

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  7. What a wonderful set of colors. The last one, with all the tee shirts echoing the buildings, is a prize.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: How right you are. I hadn't noticed that colour echo before. Thank you.

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  8. I love the colours

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    1. Delores: Fun aren't they? And smile producing.

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  9. A riot of colour! What's the story with the dancing couple?

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    1. Andrew: In keeping with the tourist theme, there were people dancing exhibition tangoes all over the place. Some of them were very, very good. Others less so. You could sign up for lessons too.

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  10. What a nice holiday you had, and thanks for sharing them. It's great dancing in the streets of Argentina, LOVELY.

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    1. Bob Bushell: It was a wonderful holiday - though the ice floes and the penguins were the best bits. Something I hug to myself on dark days and darker nights.

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  11. Why is it that people who live in warm areas with an abundance of colorful flowers, greenery, deep blue skies, and so forth, paint their homes colorfully, and people who live in cold, washed-out, dreary regions, paint their homes in colors as depressing as their surroundings?

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    1. Snowbrush: Often but not always true. The roof of many homes in Ushuaia is painted in bright colours as are those in the Falkland Islands. Both have dark and dreary winters. Which probably feel interminable.
      Sadly colour, particularly bright colours, is often seen as lacking in taste. Me? I like it. Tasteless or not.

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  12. My niece's house is average looking on the outside, but every room (& sometimes an individual wall) is a different color. I love it--she calls it "Casa de Colores"!!

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    1. fishducky: What fun. And it would make decorating easy too. There would always be a spot somewhere for everything.

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    2. My older daughter had her first home painted this way inside, so beautiful. I had photos of some of the rooms, but I've lost them, somewhere in my files or in a box. When the house was put up for sale, all walls were painted white :(

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  13. I love colorful houses like that! It seems that warmer climes tend to like the brighter colors. I've always wanted a house painted Caribbean blue :)

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    1. mshatch: I think that everyone who saw them the day I was there smiled broadly. They certainly aren't dull, and there is always room for quirky fun in my world.

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  14. Very colorful and interesting. I wish you could take another trip.

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    1. Strayer: I don't think another trip is going to be a happening thing. I am very glad to have this one to hug to myself.

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  15. seems like we're both travelling vicariously, love all the colors

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    1. Linda Starr: Vicarious travel isn't all bad.

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  16. Love the colors too. Most colorful place I've been? Burano, Italy. The pastels of Old San Juan were wonderful too. Hope Himself is behaving.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: HImself is behaving a little better. And colour is always a treat.

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  17. Great buildings, busy street and full of life. I would like to see South America one day.

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    1. carolincairns: There is a lot of South America I didn't see. Fascinating places. Mind you, if I could take another trip the frozen continents would probably call my name again. Antarctica later in the year so I could see more whales, or the Arctic for the polar bears...

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  18. Similar bright colours are used (or were) in Panama City, too.

    I love the Argentine Tango...I could watch for hours on end it being danced. So seductive...so precise.

    I hope the coming week is a much kinder to you, EC and to the Skinny One...but don't hide away that darning needle just yet! Cuddles to the two Js. Take good care. :)

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    1. Lee: The darning needle (or its equivalent) is still close by. Hopefully this will be a better week. For all of us. I am a very tired puppy.

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  19. Very colorful area...looks like a fun place with all the color and interesting store fronts.

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    1. Bookie: It was fun. Charming, and with fascinating things to see, to hear.

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  20. That looks a real quirky place and the colours are a delight. In the next street to us there is a block of two storey units and it seems each one is going to be painted a different colour. Not enough of that happens in Oz and I am waiting to see what these units look like when they are finished.
    Thank you for sharing part of your wonderful journey and do hope your patience is still holding with your patient. Hugs

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    1. Mimsie: I would love to see photos of that block of units in the fullness of time.
      The patient is not doing anything he shouldn't at the moment. Unfortunately he is also not doing some of the things he should - like those breathing exercises. I am tired and crabby. And it shows.

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  21. I LOVE areas that are so colourful like that! They're a real feast for the eyes. Love the couple dancing in the street too.
    How is the cherished one doing? Is he behaving well?
    How are you coping?

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    1. River: Feast for the eyes is right. And the air smelt enticing too, and sounded good as well.
      The cherished one is not behaving very well. Better (a bit) but not well. Sigh.

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  22. May I save the pictures to use as bookmarks?

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    1. River: Of course you can save them. And email me if you want my copies sent to you.

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  23. What a marvellous slice of life! I'd like to see houses over here in bright colours, it would cheer the soul some I reckon. A tango in the street wouldn't do any harm either *laughs*. Awesome photographs dear.

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    1. All Consuming: Too much colour is barely enough. I would like to see some of this whimsical magic here too.

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  24. I've always loved the way some places paint their houses with such exuberant colors. Perhaps it's because I live in an area where the norm is shades of beige. Your photos show a life lived with energy! Thank you for that.

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    1. River Fairchild: Those beige tones are what my mother always called 'gentle mud'. There is rather a lot of it here too.

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  25. Superb!
    This is what "Life" should be like. xxxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: Life should indeed be filled with colour. Less is an existence.

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  26. I have met Argentinians from La Boca and they are amongst the proudest people I have ever met in my life. With a neighbourhood like that I would be, too. Thanks for your photos.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: How lovely to hear that they are proud of their colourful heritage. Thanks for that.

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  27. It looks like such a happy place. Makes me want to go there. Thanks for sharing these. Hope all is well.

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    1. Myrna R.: It was a happy place when I visited. I hope that it was always a happy place - despite adversity.

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    1. lynners: Such a vibrant place. There should be more of it.

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  29. Lovely!

    I am so very very happy to hear people are making money, and some, lots of it!

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    1. Guyana-Gyal: Whether is is the 'right' people making money, or the usual suspects is a bit of a question though. I do love the vitality of the area. Sterile it is not. Which is wonderful.

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  30. My dear EC ... I can't even imagine how you two manage with all that you go through. Another surgery and now fluid on the lungs. And, just like a man to creat more complications. They are usually either big babies and helpless or they decide that the doctor doesn't know what he is talking about and go about their business as if nothing has transpired ... The SP seems to be in the second category. I do understand his frustration as my FH is a TV addict as well. I think the house would come tumbling down if his TV were disconnected in any way ... and the cats would be banished. Like you, I wouldn't know the first thing to do ... if the TV collapsed on me, I would just go find a good book and wait for someone to come along to fix it. Glad you arranged for some help and I too, hope that they don't find anything other than a few disconnected wires. Glad he is home ... hope his lungs clear soon (Did they say why he had fluid on his lungs?) And yes, I love the Peacock spider. I went to the link and watched a video of it doing it's "come hither" dance for the female ... beautiful and funny at the same time. I have never seen anything like it. You should post that video on your blog ... I bet everyone would love it. Thanks for having time to talk to me even with everything going on in your life. I have been remiss, I am afraid. I have so much going on in my family it is all I can do to just post on some basis ... Hope things settle soon. Be well, my friend and hugs to SP ... hope he is better soon.

    Andrea @ FromThe Sol

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    1. Andrea Priebe: No word on why the fluid on the lungs developed. An inherent weakness after three spontaneous pneumothoraxes? He is slowly getting better. Despite himself.
      And I am glad you liked the peacock spiders. Incredible critters aren't they?

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  31. Love the color. If you don't have a Home Depot next door...you make do. ;)

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Or if you can't afford enough paint in any one colour... Dregs and cast-offs can be wonderful.

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  32. Hi Sue,

    Always good to take my mind of my own crap and stare at your Sunday selections. Those splashes of colour help a bit it want can be challenging lives for those folks in Buenos Aires.

    Sorry, I haven't got much to say. Here's to you and your hubby.

    Gary

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    1. klahanie: Colour often helps. And I hope you get a rainbow of hope and health soon.

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  33. I think it's such an upper to live in this environment I think. Feeling gloomy and then looking out your window and seeing these colorful and vibrant buildings. :)

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    1. Lux G.: It would be hard to stay gloomy in all that colour wouldn't it?

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  34. Those photos are great!

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    1. Lon Anderson: Thank you. It was a wonderful holiday. All of it.

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  35. These colorful streets look great totally revived,
    No longer nose dives to crash out and connive,
    Its wonderful to see people so happy and alive.

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    1. Spacerguy? You add rhyming to your skills? Wow. Beyond me.

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  36. It has an interesting history with those colorful homes. Great photos!

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    1. DeniseinVA: Some of its history is darker than those colours suggest. They make for a lovely reframe.

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  37. I've heard of this area. One day I'd love to visit Buenos Aires.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: If you get the chance, go. The city has a lot of charm.

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  38. The poverty of the area saddens me, but to live with a fiery spirit despite that is uplifting. To wander the slums of the city jars Americans accustomed even in American poverty to so much more. :-(

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    1. Roland D. Yeomans: I love that they didn't let poverty define them. And that they didn't give up. And the colour brightens the world to this day.

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  39. Great photos, thanks for sharing!

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  40. At what stage in your life were you there? I'm glad you have the photos so you can remember.

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  41. A bit of color and good memories… always good. I've always liked brightly painted places. Thanks for sharing these.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I found them when I was trawling (and drooling) through Antarctica photos. Again. Memories I hug to myself on dark days.

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  42. Is that couple doing the Argentine Tango? It's a very sexy dance.

    I hope you're making it through and keeping your spirits up, EC. I'm thinking about you.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: A tango it was. And definitely sexy. Very sexy.
      At the moment I have put some distance between us so I don't kill him. He is getting a little better - despite himself.

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  43. What lovely, cheerful colours - a triumph of the human spirit perhaps?

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    1. ladyfi: A triumph of the human spirit is a lovely (and accurate) way to look at it. Thank you.

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  44. I love all the colour! It looks like a happy place!
    Hope hubby is recuperating well.

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    1. Karen: Recuperation is slow, ugly and features set backs. Mostly because he is suiting himself about what he does and doesn't do.
      La Boca was happy. Or felt that way to me.

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  45. What a wonderful trip that must have been. Love the couple tangoing.

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    1. Lynn: They were good - and looked like they were enjoying themselves which I loved.

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  46. These remind me of some areas of Newfoundland (Canada). Here is a link if you are interested, EC: http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/TheLatest/NewsArticle/189

    Personally I love the bright colours you found!

    Hope all is going in a foward direction, even if it has to be in fits and starts ...

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    1. jenny_o: Love it. And hill top sunrises and leaping whales sounds pretty close to heaven for me. Thank you so much for that link. We are, as usual, in the one step forward, two steps back stage. He is still seeping, and still refusing attention. I suspect that as usual I am worrying unnecessarily. The worry button is one I would disconnect if I could.

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  47. Ah, such beautiful photos. I also love the history of it. It reminds me a bit of Miami Beach but much more quirky, which I prefer. :)

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    1. Raquel Somatra: Quirky is always good. Very good.

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  48. This reminds me of the pastel Victorian homes in San Francisco. I love the colors!

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    1. Riot Kitty: I loved it too. Mind you, I don't know that I would ever paint my own home in multi-colours. Hypocritical?

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  49. It looks like a beautiful place. Those buildings would be a great sight to see.

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    1. Michael G D'Agostino: It was a beautiful place. And an amazing trip.

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  50. What a spectacular details from the streets! Poor but very colourful area.
    Cheers, Miklos

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    1. Kovac Miklos: Welcome and thank you. I will come and visit you shortly.

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  51. How I wish all communities could brighten their lives with such joyous color! California frowns on doing that, tho.

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    1. Susan Kane: I think a lot of local government frowns on colour. Condemning us to gentle beige and pastel.

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  52. Dear EC, delightful photos, and I do love the colours. I feel I need to be surrounded by colour always. Sorry to hear about your continuing trials and tribulations. does forget to look after S as well as the SP. You are much loved.

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    1. Carol: Thank you. I am humbled by the warmth I have found here. And yes to colour. Always.

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  53. Good for them. What a great idea. Who cares if it's touristy, it all helps. And yes, colours do us all good.

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    1. Jackie K: And yet so many of us neglect colour.

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  54. Your post made me smile, heaps! It brought back childhood memories of our outside doors which were painted odd colours from dregs and sometimes hideous colours from dregs that were too skimpy to paint the entire door so were mixed together. And then you called them 'quirky' colours which was perfect as it was always my mum who did the painting and her maiden name was 'Quirk'.

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    1. Kim: I am smiling at your comment. How perfect that your mama lived up to her name. I hope she still does.

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  55. You know it's funny... I always wondered why many poorer areas (that I've seen) were so brightly "lit up" but of course, the people would, I imagine, be happy to work with whatever they could get hold of when it comes to any color... plus it would surely lead to a fun challenge for those with a lively imagination :)

    PS: Hope Himself is feeling better and better :)

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    1. Mark Koopmans: A fun challenge indeed. And something to lift the hearts and spirits.
      Himself is slowly getting better. Very bloody slowly. With the occasional backward step/leap. Thank you.

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  56. I LOVE the colorful buildings. That's one thing I've always liked about Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina. It makes me want to paint my house lavender. I don't think my husband would go for that, though. :-)

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    1. Stephanie Faris: I am certain that the smaller portion would resist strenuously any suggestions that the house be painted in bright colours. Some day perhaps...

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  57. What great photos! Loving all the colors.

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    1. Romance Reader: They are spectacular aren't they?

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  58. What a great neighborhood! I probably couldn't have put my camera down. This is real eye candy. I do like the tango dancing couple, that's something I always associate with Argentina.

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    1. Carola Bartz: I had to make a decision to put the camera down and absorb the atmosphere and the colour myself rather than through a lens. And yes, there were many, many photos.

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  59. Thanks for sharing these photos with us! What a bright and lively looking area. The paint does look cheerful and it is nice to see people enjoying the moment (dancers). Now I have a clearer image of this city. Fabulous pictures! :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: It is an incredibly varied city. This is just one small segment of it. A beautiful segment...

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  60. Wow, Antartica looks so warm and sunny! Everything I imagined it not to be! And I had no clue about the reason behind the color scheme of the buildings. I love photos with colorful buildings -- the types you see in Europe and other distant lands. But this was so interesting because honestly, I never knew what Antartica was like. Thank you for sharing part of your adventures with us! :)

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    1. Deb: These are not Antarctica, but Argentina, taken before I boarded the ship for the Antarctic leg of the adventure. Antarctica can be sunny though. And warm. Relatively speaking.

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  61. Great pics! And thanks for changing my perspective on the bright colors, which I used to think of as gaudy. NOW, I'll think of them as a defiant poke in poverty's eye.

    Happy weekend!

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    1. Susan: It is a nice perspective to gain isn't it? And a happy weekend to you and yours.

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  62. It is a very pretty sight because of all the color there. I didn't know there was such a place in Buenos Aires. You always give us pleasant things to look upon. Thank you and Dragon Hugs!

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    1. Al Diaz: How nice to see you here. Buenos Aires was such a varied place in the little I saw. I loved Evita's mausoleum too...
      Dragon hugs gratefully received and returned.

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    1. Furry Bottoms: One missing, two received. Lovely to see you here though. Hugs.

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