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Scratching the surface of Argentina
Entry 6 of 54 | show all | print this entry |
Three weeks into our travels and here are some points that have made our wanderings interesting. The big cities here are easy for strangers to this big country, even with the language difficulties. Most places are set out in checkerboard fashion, roads are mainly one way where the traffic flows up to six abreast through coordinated traffic lights at speeds that suit Brands Hatch. The numerous taxis and buses stop at the intersections where crowds pour to get on , off or out of their chosen deathtraps. Cars, lorries, taxis, buses and crazy motor cyclists appear to have lost any form of silencers from their transport causing the noise to be of the levels achieved by the heaviest of hard rock bands at Wembley, the fumes are as to be expected,thick!
The buildings vary from those of a hundred years or more to those under construction, they all sit side by side, rich and poor, large and small, dilapidated and new, just like the people, well heeled and down and outs, beggars and rich working folk, it is a place of complete contrasts that literally live side by side. The edges of these towns have similar contrasts in that you hit one suburb that is a no go area and the poverty is frightening and then a wealthy one where the houses sit stately behind large guarded walls or the pricey high rise apartments have armed security guards on duty. It really is a different world.
Every where we have been the people are friendly and helpful and quite happy to talk and try out the little English they learned at school, quite a few are fluent and talk easily about anything, the fellows are happy to talk football.
Transport--Long distant coaches are great, fast, smooth and cheap at about a pound an hour. They have several classes of coach.
Hostels/hotels--As varied as any country, mainly clean (some exceptions) and cost from 5 to 25 pounds a night, thats a hostel to a 4 star.
Food-- Take advantage of their steaks, big, juicy and cheap. Vegetarian is available if you must! General prices about half or even a third of those in the UK.
Wine, beer or coffee-- Wonderful, plentiful and very, very cheap.
Thats my view after three weeks, it really is great.
Next time I write I will try to tell you of the wonderful experiences of my attempts to converse in Spanish, thank goodness for their schooling in English.
Keep up with the womblings so I know someone is listening, Thanks, Peter.
Latest Comments (2)
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we're reading! (reply)
Dec 1, 2006 07:19 EST by jools1
all sounds a bit adventurous to me...
we're looking at doing an activity holiday this summer - canoeing, climbing, canyoning (new activity for me, seems mainly to consist of sliding down waterfalls and jumping into pools of water)... all sorts of exciting stuff.
but strictly NO driving around strange cities trying to find somewhere to sleep, that's way too adventurous for us!
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looking forward... (reply)
Nov 29, 2006 02:49 EST by wombleworm
...to wombling free with you soon! And to hearing about your attempts at Spanish. Im sure they appreciate you trying anyway. How many times have you said tiramikasi/dankes/merci etc etc?!
Lots of love from the UK xxxx
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