In Search of My Favorite Musical's Heroine

"What's new? Buenos Aires?
I knew I want to say I'm a little stuck on you
You'll be on me too!
I get out here, Buenos Aires,
Stand back, because you wanna know what you'll gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality..."

I found I just could not stop humming this song when our "Truck" was driving into Buenos Aires.

You may or may not be familiar with this song, "Buenos Aires" from one of my favorite musicals (maybe only after "Phantom of Opera") of all time - "Evita".

Now I finally came to Buenos Aires.

Based on a true story, this musical is about the life and early death of Argentina's former fisrt lady (as first lady from 1946 to 1952) - Eva Peron, nicknamed "Evita."

Personally, I have never really seen that musical in a theatre. Most of what I got is from the 1996 movie, featuring Madonna and directed by Allan Parker. Since I have been a Madonna fan since 1984, I went to see the movie the first week of its release. Madonna eventually won a well-deserved Golden Globe Award for playing Evita (the only important acting award she've ever won in her career)

And who can forget the scene when she comes out to the balcony of the Presidetial Palace and sings "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"?

"Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is that I never left you,
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I keep my promise
Don't keep you distance..."

Finally, I arrived at the city where all these happened - Buenos Aires.

Well, have I said too much? There is nothing more I can think of to say to you...All you have to do is take a look at the pictures I took below,,,

Please click the thumbnail on the pictures to see enlarged images

Casa Rosada (Pink House, Argentine Presidential Palace) and Plaza de Mayo. It was from one of the balcony, Eva Peron gave her last speech before she died of cancer. It was also here Madonna shot the scene she sang "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." I was not allowed to go up there to sing like her...

Eva Peron's grave at the Recoleta Cemetery (Cementerio de la Recoleta). It is not very well marked (they intentionally try to make it not too obvious). However, many people can still find their way here. In the directory at the entrance, try Eva Maria de Duarte (her maiden name) rather than "Peron."

There are several plates on Eva Peron's grave, showing their respect and memory to the most famous Argentine woman in their history.

I found this lovely cat at another corner of Recoleta Cemetery. Even it is a cemetery, it is a lovely place to wander.