Howard Johnson Hotel - Buenos Aires

... UBA campuses, and it is also close to a university wide election, so it is definitely more political then the norm, but the point remains that I feel people hear are a lot more in tune with what is happening politically then people in the U.S. are.

One final thought for this update is that probably my favorite thing by far that I’ve found here in Argentina is the coffee culture. There are 4 officially recognized meals a day, with the extra one being a late ...

... I think this was because Argentina and Australia have some pretty interesting similarities in their history and growth, except Argentina seems to have gone from crisis to Crisis and have and maybe overly idealistic view of the world. However the colonial richness, growth built on farming and mining, huge immigration especially from Italy and boom in the 19th century are things both Argentina and my home have in common.

... it. The conventional explanation is that the neighborhood sits at the mouth ("boca" in Spanish) of the Riachuelo. In 1882, after a lengthy general strike, La Boca seceded from Argentina, and the rebels raised the Genoese flag, which was immediately torn down personally by then President Julio Argentino Roca. It is known throughout the sporting world as the home of Boca ...

... and mainly spent in bed recovering from my first experiences of BA nightlife. How Stevie got up to play a rugby match at 2 in the afternoon is beyond me. I was due to go out and join him at his club in the suburbs but I conveniently mislaid the instructions on how to get there. Sunday, I changed to another hostel, Milhouse, one of the most popular in BA, and one with a whole social scene of it`s own. Later Stevie called over to show me a little bit ...

... around the neighbourhood. Only a few blocks away is the famous Recoleta cemetery and in the park outside was a artisan market. The place was buzzing with people having coffees at the many cafes or relaxing in the parks. We walked through streets with stunning buildings and french-style apartments. After having a Coke served with a wine glass (15 pesos for 2), Santi cooked dinner at home. I was absolutely stuffed, so went to bed pretty early.

... busting out my Spanish-- which I refined in asking the Portero (doorman) for the bus stop, remember?-in fragments, for course. And suddenly its time for dinner (about 11PM). Yummy. It was very good. And there we were-very much like a hostel-20 or so people around a table, passing food (Indian food at that) and eating. Then, one of them pulls out his guitar, and his friend a drum-and suddenly they are singing Argentine folk music. And ...

... pizzas there. The apartment they had rented was absolutely beautiful, in a really expensive area, it was on the top floor, there was an outside terrace with tables, chairs and jacuzzi, the inside was great too. We met Keith's mum and dad, they were really cool, unfortunately they had their luggage lost on the flight over, and when it arrived found lots of clothes stolen, on Iberia, so maybe avoid them in the future! Quiet worrying when you think that people ...

... grace. Tango-themed bars make up much of the entertainment in this area and Calle Defensa, the main street is lined with antiques stores and runs from north to south. It takes its name from the route Argentina's colonial army used to defend itself from a British invasion in the early 1800s (is there anywhere we haven't invaded??). As we are here on a Sunday the San Telmo Antiques Fair is in full swing. Not really interested in antiques we wander ...

... a bank (per week) was 250. The riots killed many. With the free tour over we set out on our own. Two of us only arrived last night which made the third the tour guide. First stop was lunch with a tango show. I like these open squares and the fact it's 30+C. We went through the park where the Spanish first landed, then the Indians surrounded them and ate them. Then to La Boca ...

... and ordering our first bottle of Torrentes (white wine) since leaving Mendoza. Very nice it was too.

We then enjoyed a pleasant stroll back down to our hostel and hoped that we would have a nice day tomorrow for watching the football...


Lots of love,


Al & Katie xx