The Water,it Falls!

Made it to Puerto Iguazzu safely with a little help from those people from LANArgentina. Last week was spent trying to plan the trip Iguazzu (4 visits, 3hours in the travel agents), trying to learn some more Spanish and seeing the city´s nightlife.

The waterfalls were amazing, and got to see them from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Hostel was a little far out of town, but i knew a girl from Buenos Aires who was there so it was fine. For the first 3 nights i had the whole dorm to myself, but on the fourth night i was invaded by 3 Israelis. Having to get up early the next day, i went to bed early doors and their last words to me were ´we won´t make much noise when we come in´. Well, between 11.30-1.45 the lights were on and they would not shut up. I would have told them to jog on dot com but appartently one of them was a football hooligan, so i decided not to.

Past few days have been travelling around the North of Argentina heading Chile-wards, along with my very, very heavy rucksack. Cities are nice enough but there´s bugger all to do in them (especially when everything shuts between 13.30-17.00!) Met the nicest Argentine´s going yesterday - i was struggling to buy a bus ticket so they offered me a lift to the station as loads more companies there. Ignoring everything my primary school teachers said about not talking to strangers, i got in. They were so friendly that they showed me where to buy a ticket from, translated everything for me and then showed me around town in their car.

Right, back for a quick shower in Hostel Bariloche now before heading out for dinner. Race is on to arrive in Salta in time to watch the ManUnited v Chelsea match on Sunday!!

Good Old Chocolate Box

Well, first week in Argentina and everything (touch wood!) is going rather well. Went out with a varied bunch of English, German and American travellers on Tuesday night and weekend was pretty good too.

Started to miss England a bit, so headed down to local bar on Saturday and, in my finest Spanish, pointed at the TV and said 'Es posible futbol engles'? Well, that went well for 20 mins before some Argentinians wanted to watch ´los pumas´play england. I said they could but at half time a combination of no knowledge of rugby, no knowledge of spanish and fear of defeat led me to leave.

I did manage to catch the Chelsea match later on before we all headed out for a meal. We went to a traditional Argentine steak house i had the biggest steak i have ever seen in my life - with loads of wine it only worked out about 9 quid each. After that we got a taxi but the Americans/Kiwis thought the guy was ripping us off, eventually the taxi driver got really angry and through us out. Ended up in a really cool bar in the fashionable area of Buenos Aires before hitting a club. At 6am we were wandering the streets of B.A trying to find our way home - when in Argentina does as the Angentinians do!

Sunday involved mainly sleeping. After having recovered from the night before i headed to the hallowed turf of the Bombonera to experience some genuine South American football. The area around the stadium has been done up and everyone is really relaxed, it was more like Covent Garden than a hostile football match. Well, it was more like Covent garden until i got into the stadium - i was in the standing area behing the goal and underneath the Quilmes fans. Within a minute we had been covered in crap, spit and possibly piss (there are no toilets so apparently the away fans piss in balloons and throw them down) thrown from above. The match was pretty good, but the main attraction is the atmosphere. Unfortunately, i spent most of the second half looking away from the pitch, trying to spot the stuff the Quilmes fans were throwing. Towards the end they were throwing metal crowbars and glass bottles etc. - saw three people with bleeding heads and being directly in the firing line, decided to go and watch from the area near the exit. Was an experience to say the least, anyone for River Plate next weekend?

Hola Buenos Aires!

Safely arrived in Buenos Aires. As you can tell by the lack of Spanish, i´m not really picking it up that fast but i´m sure in a few weeks all will be fine.

The city is really lovely, like a slightly run down version of Paris, with cafes and bars all over the place (only much cheaper). Have been to Recoleta which is a really lovely area to see the craft market and to San Telmo to see the Tango dancers on Sunday. Hoping that this weekend will be my trip to see the mighty Boca Juniors play.

I´m living in a nice area but unfortunately can´t say the same about the old housemates. A couple of American brothers who skateboard all day (one of them had been sent to boot camp and i think has/had a drug problem) and the other is an English guy who seems ok but already has loads of mates.

Embarrassed myself on the football pitch on Monday night. I now know why South Americans are the best footballers in the world i why i don´t play that often! ´Hopefully they´ll let me redeem myself next monday....

Suerte!