Diary Entry
From Corrientes and Resistencia, we set off on the final leg of our journey. Along the way, we make a brief stop in the school village of “Villa Escolar” to visit a small, secluded natural history museum.
Since Posadas, there are numerous police checkpoints along the route. Thanks to Leon, every police officer who pays attention waves us on. Most of them are busy drinking mate in the shade of a tree, taking selfies, or chatting with their friends.
Police checks are frequent but harmless
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At noon there is a heat standstill
In Formosa, the weather is similar to that in Resistencia. It’s 40 degrees Celsius, and the city is in a heat wave state. Only after a siesta until 5 p.m. do we get to see anything of the city and its inhabitants.
As always, there’s a large square in the center of town, around which most of the shops, restaurants, and bars are located. There’s also always a playground where Leon can let off steam.
As in Corrientes and Resistencia, monuments in public squares are dedicated primarily to two figures:
Former President Juan Perón and his wife Eva, who became known as “Evita.”
Eva Perón – Argentina’s soul
María Eva Duarte de Perón, better known as Evita, was far more than just the wife of Argentine President Juan Perón. She became an icon of social justice, a voice for the poor, and a symbol of women’s rights in Argentina.
Early life and rise
Born into poverty on May 7, 1919, Eva Duarte fought her way into the spotlight early on. At the age of 15, she moved to Buenos Aires, where she enjoyed her first successes as an actress and radio presenter.
In 1944, she met Juan Perón, whom she married a year later. When he became president in 1946, Evita’s unprecedented rise to become the most influential woman in the country began.
Social engagement
Although she never held official office, Eva Perón was a central figure in Argentine politics from 1949 onward. She passionately advocated for the “descamisados” (the “shirtless” – the poor and disenfranchised). Through the Fundación Eva Perón, which she founded, she financed hospitals, schools, women’s shelters, and children’s villages.
She distributed food, clothing and medicine – often personally.
Fight for women’s rights
Evita was a driving force behind the introduction of women’s suffrage in Argentina in 1947. She founded the women’s section of the Justicialist Party and motivated thousands of women to participate in politics – a milestone in Argentine history.
Myth and legacy
Her early death at the age of just 33 in 1952 made her a martyr for social justice. For many Argentinians, she remains a saint of the poor, a woman who used her privileged position to help society’s weakest. Her life has been portrayed in theater, film, and literature—the most famous being the musical “Evita,” featuring the song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.“
Source: Copilot
We wander from bar to bar, constantly refilling ourselves with fresh orange juice and buying a few souvenirs for the maté we bring home. This is our last night in Argentina. Tomorrow we’ll reach Paraguay and Asunción to prepare for our return journey.
This concludes our 2025 South America tour. It was much quieter than last time. Less stress, but also fewer adventures to report on. We’re excited for the next one. Dusty is waiting for us!
