Having an extended stay in Buenos Aires means that we can have more time to explore the “non-touristic” parts of the city, in addition to catching a breather from hopping onto planes all the time. Abasto is one such district of Buenos Aires where we visited and it is where many ordinary Argentines live and work. It is one of the city’s commercial districts where you can find wholesale and retail outlets. Abasto is also historically associated with the city’s large Jewish population and is also home to Korean, Middle Eastern and Peruvian immigrant communities.

We actually went to Abasto to see the Abasto Shopping Mall (Mercado de Abasto), which was formerly a central wholesale market serving the entire city from 1893 to 1984. Now, it’s not that we wanted to go shopping, but rather, to see this art deco masterpiece built between 1930 and 1984. After decades of being abandoned, the building was transformed into a shopping mall that also has 12 cinema screens. One other thing which we noticed around this neighborhood is the presence of tango dance venues, tango apparel shops and several painting murals of this guy called Carlos Gardel on some buildings. Carlos Gardel was a very famous tango singer (perhaps the most prominent figure in the history of Tango) who lived most of his life in Abasto.

Jewish family living around Abasto

There’s even a Kosher McDonald’s catering to the Jewish population

A painting mural of Carlos Gardel

Another painting of him

Another one too

Old vehicles are a common sight here

The modern foodcourt inside the Abasto Shopping Mall. See the working ferris wheel at the top?

Ferris Wheel for the kids

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