Recoleta

20070714_BA_Recoleta

Recoleta is a collection of parks and green spaces with a little cemetery in the middle. If you have ever visited Pere Lachaise in Paris, you will feel right at home. The cemetery is a compact wonderland of funerary art, populated by plump, indolent and very grubby cats who stroll among the visitors with complete indifference. Evita's tomb is here - still with fresh flowers every day.

The park is next to a graceful little church (see pictures). The cloisters next to the church have been turned into a cultural centre which is in varying degrees of restored condition. If you are looking for design or homewares, the mall next door is the place to go.

On the weekend, the green space around the cemetery filled up with craft stalls. I bought a bright purple cotton scarf and a New Zealand 10c piece with the background carefully drilled out. Lots of people were strolling around exercising their dogs, and there were musicians playing tango on the footpath.