Woke up a little earlier today to head back to La Boca to look around some more. I was really able to take in the culture of the city and appreciate some of the handmade leather pieces that they are popular for. As I walked around the streets it was so beautiful to hear the live street music and watch art demonstrations happening right in front of him. Before I knew it, time had flown and we had to head back to the hotel for a walking tour of Buenos Aires. 

On our tour, we saw many buildings and landmarks in which our tour guide enlightened us on their interesting histories. It was also very nice weather for our scenic walking tour, where we ended up in the neighborhood of Recoleta. While we were in the area we briefly walked in and looked around the second oldest church in Buenos Aires, The Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. After the church we went through the cemetery which keeps some of the most well-known figures in Argentina. Therefore, we got to see Juan and Evita Perón’s grave, two people who played a major role in shaping the healthcare system that this country has today. 

During Juan Perón’s presidency, he empowered labor unions through the creation of Obras Sociales. Perón fought for social justice and labor rights, emphasizing that healthcare should be accessible to everyone. Perón’s wife, Evita, was also involved in welfare initiatives through the Eva Perón Foundation. Her foundation led to the construction of hospitals, clinics, and homes for vulnerable populations, further expanding access to care and reinforcing Peronism’s image as a protector of the poor. Throughout Juan Perón’s term, he and his wife greatly improved access to medical services and transformed the healthcare system.

We ended the day with some shopping in the Recoleta street market and got to have a relaxing stroll, admiring all the authentic handmade crafts. Today was an amazing day learning about the cultural history and shopping in the streets of Buenos Aires!