Ouch says my credit card
Trip Start
Jan 20, 2004
1
83
88
Trip End
Feb 01, 2005
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Thursday, December 30, 2004
One Overstuffed Mochila
I have just finished packing my mochila with all my latest purchases. Do not attempt to ask me how they all fit. I performed an amazing space-finding feat this evening and now all I need is for the airline check in staff for my three remaining flights to be as obliging with the weightiness.
Most girls have problems deciding which shoes to take when they go on an extended trip (ie longer than the pairs of underwear they take). My backpack proves testament to the idea that you can take a pair for all occasions. For me, that number is 12, plus the pair that I´m wearing. Maybe it would have been impractical for my whole trip, but right now it is making sense as I´m going to be wearing some very cool "bought in Buenos Aires" shoes in the future.
Also on the hit list were accessories, I have an earring fetish that is being overindulged; clothes, more bought in BA stuff; last minute souveniers; books, in Spanish to practice at home and some picture books of Argentina; and I´ve forgotten what else. It will be a surprise when I get home.
Right now I´m in need of a massage due to the weight of the day´s purchases. I´m hoping to find one at my next secret destination....
Chau South America
Tonight is my last night in South America after 11 months. It feels kinda weird and despite talking to myself whilst packing my bag I kind of want to spend it alone (or on the net!) so I can let my emotions run wild.
If I was given only one word to describe this feeling I would have to say "nostalgic". I´ve had so many diverse experiences in the past 11 months, I´ve learnt so much and I´ve achieved so much. Everything is running through my head in one of those flashback scenes, like what I saw at the beginning of The Bourne Supremacy, nothing is very clear and it´s all going by so fast. As such, my emotions are having a hard time keeping up.
My adventure isn´t over just yet, but it kind of feels like it. Everything left to come is just a wind down of my 11 months, meeting up with people I´ve met in South America and rehashing the times we spent together. But it´s all going to be good, and I´ll still be seeing new and different things, just the same people!
Things I´m Looking Forward To
Okay, South America is different. So there are lots of things I´m looking forward to...
* Flushing toilet paper down the toilet again - it´s going to feel strange and naughty
* Not having a hair garnishing every dish
* Speaking English to people in shops again - although I know I´m going to start asking them something in Spanish the first couple of times
* Not having to walk around with my bags and guidebook searching for a hostel
* Efficiency and customer service
* No more massive bus rides, only the 21 hour London to Sydney plane ride...
* Listening to other people´s travel stories and getting tips
Things I´m Going To Miss
* Trying to communicate with people and think of creative ways to describe what I want in my Spanish
* Being somewhere different to home
* Meeting other travellers
* The mountains
* Awesome scenery
* The ability to try whatever you want
* The favourable exchange rate
* The shopping
* The food (steak in Argentina, llama meat and soup in Bolivia, fruit juices in Brazil, empanadas de choclo in Paraguay)
* The friendly people (incidentally, I won´t miss the rude people)
Things I Learned
* Asking for Cumbia Billera in the music shops is always greeted with a wry smile and raised eyebrows, so I have to justify myself and say that I hated the music so much when I was in Bolivia that I became accustomed to it. Watch out friends, I´m going to be blasting your eardrums with the oh so wonderful "Que Calor" when I see you next... Anyways, I know I´m not the only person who has bought this crappy style of music to demonstrate to their friends.
* A credit card is very dangerous, and even more so when there are no incoming funds to be able to pay it off ... lucky I´m going to be home soon .... got a job for me Dad? Anyone?!!?!?
* Everyone has different experiences of a place and you should always try be objective about things like places that you either loved or hated.
