Like Ybor City in Tampa, the La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires gets an unfairly bad rap. Guidebooks are quick to dismiss it as a dangerous tourist trap, which by the way, could describe Chicago.   The gritty waterside barrio is known for its colorfully painted buildings, tango tradition and art museums.  Sure,  tacky souvenir shops abound and the occasional tourist who’s forgotten they’re not in Wisconsin gets jacked, but it turned out to be one of the most pleasant excursions I’ve taken during this three-week trip.

Kitsch sculptures in La Boca. My friends in Gaybor need to put in an offer for this one.

Don’t cry for me, Pope Francis.

Renowned Tango master and painter, Guillermo Alio knew Tampa (and the rest of the world) pretty well. He and his dance partner wife run a coffee shop/art gallery in La Boca.

Guillermo sold me this reproduction of one of his collages for about $7 dollars. When he drew an original sketch on the back, I offered him more money, but he refused it.

La Boca is home to a formidable futbol team that’s inspired generations of kids.

Ybory… right?

A classic Argentine face from a painting at the wonderful Benito Quinquela Martin Museum