Coming from Toronto, where the choices in bookstores are limited mainly to Indigo and a few smaller places, I am amazed at what I found here in Buenos Aires. It’s a city that honours books and writers, and that shows in the number of bookstores all over the city. I snapped all these photos on the same couple of streets, and I’m sure I didn’t get them all. They all seem to have people browsing in them all the time.
Most of them have cafes inside, where people happily drink coffee while looking books over to decide whether to buy them or not. Try that in Indigo!
This one is my all-time favourite bookstore anywhere. It’s called El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It used to be a 100-yearold opera house (presumably called the Grand Splendid), but it wasn’t being used any more. In Toronto it would have surrendered long ago to the wrecker’s ball and been replaced by a condo building. But here, they made it into what they justifiably describe as the world’s most beautiful bookstore.
The photo is taken from the stage, which remains complete with curtains and serves as the cafe. There you can have anything from a cup of coffee to a full course lunch complete with wine — and all with a pile of as yet unpurchased books by your side!
I didn’t feel like sketching today, so I cheated. This is a sketch I did on my last visit. Ever wanted to find a quiet spot to read and have nobody bother you? Check out the buy in the bottom box!
Hola Helen!
I’ve just read your blog from beginning to end! What a wonderful adventure you’re on. Glad to see that you’re finding time to do some sketching in between all the other fun things you’ve found to do! The bookstores and cafes look so inviting. Exploring grocery stores and pharmacias is always something I love to do in other countries…one never knows what they will find!
Ecuador looked amazing….reminded me a lot of San Miguel de Allende with the parades, burning of effigies, fire crackers and beautiful smiling people wearing colourful costumes.
Winter has finally settled in here in TO and was very chilly today even though the sun did show it’s face for a bit this afternoon.
Wishing you a very happy new year!
Tango on…..
Abrazos
Patricia
Great to hear from you, Patricia. I would probably do more sketching if it wasn’t so hot, but I’m here for a while so I can take my time. My aim is to completely fill my current travel sketchbook before I leave Argentina.
This looks so amazing. I am totally jealous. The book stores. The cafes. The art … it is divine! I’m so glad you’re having fun.
Thanks Gail. I think I belong here!
What an amazingly gorgeous book store!
It reminds me of the old Runnymede theatre that was an Indigo/Chapter (now Shopper’s of all things!?!). I used to go there as a kid to watch my Disney movies.
I was really interested to read Patricia’s comments that it sounds like San Miguel, which I”m off to visit in a few short weeks. We can compare travel locations. ENJOY!!
I know, Patti, I can’t get enough of this place. It’s not too far a walk from my place either, so I’ll be back again soon.