In
December 2006, Hector & Lieve, along with friends Ruth
Charles, Dr. Robert Tall and David Demers
enjoyed a vacation in Argentina -
Hector's
birth country,
followed by a trip to
Brazil for New Year's
Eve
celebrations.
Enjoy their
'journey back in time'...
Here we are at the famous artistic and 'painted' area of 'La Boca' in Buenos Aires
Of course, in Argentina, do as Argentineans do ...
...Dance the Tango...
...Lieve in full swing.
The school where Hector's father taught, and at the same time, was the school principal
Hector is standing in front of the site where his house once stood...
Memories are flooding back...
The street where Hector grew up.
Due to the political unrest, and subsequent poor economy in Argentina,
there has been little development for the past 50 years.
Even the remains of the trolley that Hector used are still there.
Hector's first piano teacher lived around the corner in this house.
Hector used to enter through the gate next to the house, day after day ...
Practice, practice all the way to Carnegie Hall !!
A young musician and entrepreneur on the street in Buenos Aires.
(This young boy asked for $$'s from anyone who took his picture.)
Christmas Eve dinner preparations in the beautifully decorated Hilton Buenos Aires.
Ready for our Christmas Eve Dinner with our Christmas 'family':
(L to R) Dr. Robert Tall, Ruth Charles, David Demers, Lieve & Hector
"Our table" - (Lieve & Ruth Charles)
The church where Hector played at age 7
(Click here to see a photo of Hector playing this same instrument, at age 12.)
The "Engravings" of Hector's name in the wall behind the organ are still clearly visible ... after 54 years !
The Church where Hector's teacher played.
Hello, Diego Maradona.
Argentina ... the land of soccer heroes !
With Padre Bevilacqua at Santissimo Sacramento, the grand church in Buenos Aires.
Hector had not seen the 'Padre' for 42 years...
Dr. Robert Tall at the magnificent Cavaille-Coll organ of Santissimo Sacramento.
Hector spent hours during his teen years, thanks to Padre Bevilacqua, practicing on the 'French Organ.'
Yes! Hector already knew and loved French Organs.
The 'Pink House' where Evita Peron held her famous 'speech' to the people of Argentina.
The famous Cafe Tortini...
...drinking coffee at this famous Cafe, a gathering place for actors, writers and musicians.
The renowned Academia National del Tango in Buenos Aires, next door to the Cafe Tortini
The organ at the Cathedral of Buenos Aires
The independence of Argentina occurred in 1816. The hero liberator of Argentina was General San Martin.
The Granaderos (soldiers) are guarding his mausoleum inside the Cathedral.
Gated entrance to the tomb of Eva Peron situated in the Park of Buenos Aires.
The tomb of Evita Peron (born Eva Duarte)
A visit to the 'Estancia"...
...A typical Argentina horse ranch
A typical Gaucho dancing the Malambo with the "Boleadoras"
...And yes, we did go 'horseriding."
Lieve and Hector riding around the 'Estancia.'
We all went on a tour of the 'Delta River'...
...on a private boat
The famous statue of "Christ the Redeemer" overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
...on top of Corcovado Mountain
From Sugarloaf Mountain,looking over Rio de Janeiro towards the great statue.
Helicopter landing after a tour of Christ the Redeemer, beaches and Sugarloaf Mountain.
New Year's Eve - afternoon - at Copacabana Beach
HAPPY NEW YEAR - Rio de Janeiro style !!
