Open Door, Buenos Aires

Open Door
Open Door Location in Argentina
Open Door Location in Buenos Aires Province
Coordinates: 34°00′S 59°04′W / 34°S 59.067°W / -34; -59.067Coordinates: 34°00′S 59°04′W / 34°S 59.067°W / -34; -59.067
Country	Argentina
Province	Buenos Aires
Partido	Luján
Elevation	27 m (89 ft)
Population (2001 census [INDEC])
- Total	5,014
CPA Base	B 6708
Area code(s)	+54 2323

Open Door is a small town in Luján Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

History

The settlemeny was founded in the early 20th Century, and like many other settlements in Argentina the original nucleus of the settlement was a railway station. The settlement was originally called "Colonia Nacional Psiquiátrica Domingo Cabred", but the name changed to Open Door (from Domingo Cabred's "Puerta Abierta" policy).

External links

Municipal information: Municipal Affairs Federal Institute (IFAM), Municipal Affairs Secretariat, Ministry of Interior, Argentina. (Spanish)

The name Open Doors, as was known in the beginning, then changed to Open Door, was because of the psychiatric institutions policy which was based on an open door institution, so the patients would be able to go in and out during the day, I understand that this system was copied from a French institution with much success for the patients well being. There is much history and tales behind this institution, the town and villagers with the "locos" as are called in spanish. Many of them would work gardening, cleaning houses, and doing lots of handyman jobs for the town residents, free of charge, but for a meal, cigarettes and whatever kept them happy. Some of the villagers got so attached to these guys (all men, no women in this institution), that they kind of adopted them in a way. I know of one that actually, 2010, still lives in a house with the family that in a way adopted him. There is much to be learned and written about this incredible place, town and area; which has now become in the past decade one of the important polo playing centers in Argentina, over one hundred polo fields in a ten mile radius. Converting the area into a sought for weekend and polo ranch goal for not only local argentines, but many foreigners too: english, arabians, russian, french, americans, latin americans and assian. The town people are accostumed to receiving all kinds and types of people, which in a way makes foreigners feel comfortable and at home in no time. Visit Open Door, practice polo, eat fantastic meat at its very popular restaurants, and if you really want to make the most out of it, take some time and go only 11 km to Lujan, and visit one of the largest Basilicas you will find in Latin America: la basilica de la virgen de Lujan.