Buenos Aires (see map)
During this trip, we participated in Buenos Aires in the wedding celebration of Ana Wajszczuk (0064)
, (see
and pictures below) We also had an opportunity to travel around and to visit a few places. In addition to "Polish connections" in the city of Buenos Aires, we encountered some in the vicinity (see page of Teodor), and also quite unexpectedly - further away, in the "interior" (see below).
Ana and Javier (0064) |
Invitation |
Javier with father and wife |
from left - Ana's parents Adan and Graciela (0063), the newlyweds, brother Lucas (0067) and sisters Barbara (0065)
and Wanda (0066) |
left - Ana's grandmother Oliveri,
right - grandmother Wajszczuk (0062) |
with her aunt Eva (0068) and husband Roberto Cal (right) and their son - Federico (0069) |
"May they live a hundred years" - a polish toast argentinian style - with parents |
"Dances and fun" - who will be next? |
Cal family in (pre-)carnival mood and outfits, second from left - Graciela's sister-in-law |
Very popular with the Buenos Aires Polonia, as well as among the locals, is a restaurant "La Casa Polaca" at the location of the "Union de los Polacos" (Jorge Luis Borges 2076, Palermo, tel. - 4477-4721). It is known for its selection of tasty polish dishes and of polish drinks. The building also hosts many other polish organizations. At the time of our previous visit in the area, we also had an opportunity to see (unfortunately only from the outside) - the site of the "Sociedad Polonesa - I. J. Paderewski" in the town of Quimes, which is adjacent to and east of Buenos Aires. This Society is one of the earliest polish organizations in Argentina.
"Union de los Polacos"
in Buenos Aires
|
Inside "La Casa Polaca" -
Wajszczuk family gathering |
"Sociedad Polonesa" in Quilmes |
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Buenos Aires |
We had an opportunity to visit the Polish Embassy (Calle Alejandro María de Aguado 2870, 1425 Buenos Aires, tel. (0-05411) 4802-96-81/82), in connections with taking care of some long overdue family inheritance-connected formalities. The Embassy and Consulate are located in a beautiful palace in an elegant section of the city. We experienced there a warm and hospitable reception and were able to acomplish our task without unnecessary delays. Again a heartfelt "Thank You"!
Misiones Province (see map)
During the trip to see the Iguazu Falls, we toured by bus the Province of Misiones. It extends as a finger-like projection between the territories of Brazil in the east and Paraguay in the west and the Iguazu river makes its northern border and Parana river - its western border. We passed through a town "Wanda" (see) and then visited a mine of the same name. Apparently the town was started by Polish immigrant settlers during the interwar period, at the time of discovery of large deposits of semi-precious stones in that area, which appear here in a great variety. They work here as miners. The guide (of local Guarani Indian descent) was telling the visitors the story of "Princess Royal Wanda from Cracow" - he knew it quite well!
Roadside sign of the Misiones
Province |
Entrance to the "Wanda" mine |
Amethist deposit in the rock |
After arrival in our hotel, we met a registration desk employee, who turned out to be a descendant of polish immigrants - Jose Augusto Krzyszycha. He and his family live in Wanda. Unfortunately, he was not sure as to the place of origin of his family in Poland. And we were not able to get his picture - perhaps in the future?
Next "polish" surprise awaited us in Mar del Plata. It is a rather large city and a beach resort on the Atlantic coast. Here is also located a Polish Honorary Consulate.
Panorama of Mar del Plata |
Inscription on a rock at the waterside |
It was an inscription on a piece of rock at the waterside in the port: "Polaco te amo - Analia, 25/8/2001". Even there! It would be interesting to know their story, and about a Pole with whom so recently Analia fell in love? Here an explanation is due - we have noticed that the Argentinians not infrequently address their friends, Poles as "Polaco" - this is due to the difficult spelling and pronounciation of the polish names. Our cousin Adan
,is the best example - his Italian wife occasionally adresses him or speaks (endearingly) about him that way. So do his children, friends and collegues at work!
25-06-2004
19-03-2004
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