Buenos Aires -- Scruffier than you might think

I arrived in a rainy Buenos Aires at 7:30 am this morning after a long sleepless flight. And my first thought on driving was to remember previous first impressions -- this city is scruffier than you expect, every time. It's especially scruffy for being the new international "It" city.

But after a while you overlook the scruffiness, you become immune to it, just like you do in New York or in Portland or any other city. But when you first get here you notice that the air smells and it's chaotic and dirty and the traffic is bad and the drivers are nasty.

Here's a photo of some apartment blocks on the way in from the airport -- my first impression this morning:
Later in the afternoon, after a five-hour nap, i went out looking for more scruffiness. Even in this relatively fancy neighborhood I live in there's lots to be seen. Here's a sidewalk that you might see anywhere in the city:


Here's something I saw a block away -- some cool scruffiness:


This kitty photo is really firmly attached to the wall -- not just some piece of paper taped up. I This is some cool graffiti.

But then on the same walk I went further towards the parks of Palermo. Here's one example of the beautiful urban vistas you can come across:
And then I walked by this big building that appears to be a mosque, though I'm not sure. (Update -- it's definitely a mosque.) Last picture today, I promise:

Crazy traffic, crazy weather, crazy hustle and bustle. It's a real global city, half glorious european capital, half chaotic third world mega-sprawl. It's a pretty nice combination, though as a cyclist I could sure use a little less traffic. More on that another day.