Icons of Argentina

It’s crazy to think that there are such huge icons in the world that we as Americans know very little, if anything about. People throughout the world know all about our icons like Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt and Michael Jackson but how much do we know about Mercedes SosaDiego Maradona and Che Guevara? Maybe I shouldn’t speak for everyone, but I know for me… I had no idea who Mercedes Sosa or Diego Maradona were before I got to Buenos Aires. And they are both larger than life figures.

Mercedes Sosa was an icon in Argentina who passed away last week. All Argentine flags were flown at half-mass and she was on the cover of all the magazines and newspapers. Mercedes Sosa was a folk singer who sang about the struggles of the Argentine people. Learn More

Diego Maradona Argentina World Cup Champion

Diego Maradona is a real-life hero to the Argentine people. He was a kid who rose from the slums of La Boca (tough area in Buenos Aires) to captivate a country that is obsessed with futbol. His iconic stature was solidified with his two goals in a win over England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He also had some pretty kick ass hair! Now he coaches the Argentina National TeamLearn More

As I try to submerge myself in this culture it’s important for me to understand the history of Argentina and the people who have influenced it.  However, Che Guevara seems to be a whole other story that I won’t get into. Some see him as a hero, while some see him as a murderer. I won’t touch the subject because I just don’t know enough about it at this point.

Two other people should know of before you travel to Buenos Aires are Carlos Gardel, considered the father or “King of Tango” and Jorge Luis Borges, who was was an Argentine writer, essayist, and poet born in Buenos Aires.

My name is Gareth Leonard, a Marketing Director turned World Traveler with a passion for slow, meaningful travel. I have been traveling the world full-time for the past 9+ years and document it all on Instagram and YouTube. Come join me!

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