Buenos Aires

For the first time since i left the UK I can brush my teeth under a running tap! Bloody Luxury
and eat salads (not that I have done) Bloody Luxury!

I am staying at a very good hotel I probably should have gone cheaper but i sat on the bed and felt the comfortable mattress, and it had a bath ! (bloody Luxury)
and boy, have they looked after me.
So i stayed for a week.

I felt at home here, (lots of shops, and poncy wine bars )
up until now the wine has been awful, so i´ve not drank much, but now i´m making up for it,
(don´t worry if I partake I am always in the hotel or very near, and only a couple of glasses with my meal)

On the first day I wandered down the main shopping street and saw a crowd watching a couple dance the Tango, what a passionate dance and a bit risky too.

I have been on a city tour that took is to Boca´s Bombonera Football Stadium (knowing nothing about football this went a bit over my head)
the to Evita's grave, the obelisk,
Squares, Markets, a good overview of the city, very interesting

But the Tango Show was more up my street,
you were picked up at the hotel,taken to the venue,
immediately given a glass of Champagne,(a Kate Jay must)
then given a three course meal ( very good steak ) wine included ,
watched a great show (Not as passionate as the street Tango but still very good)
great live band,
Then taken back to my hotel.
That's how it should be !
Made some great fr¡ends, an American couple and a girl from Mexico who was also by herself so we had a giggle together (she spoke very good English)

Feria De Mataderos
Today i took a taxi out of town to the western Suburb of Mataderos to a market, that my guide said was no to be missed. (and it was quite right )
The craft markets were a joy (for me ) jewelery, leather goods, sliver wear, soft knitted shawls, I was in my element.
After i had worn my self out not buying anything (apart something for mum )
I took a seat at a small cafe that lined the square, and while I sat I listened to the musicians play Argentine folk music while the locals danced a folk dance (Chacarera),
I ate some of the traditional food,a stew called Locro with a cold beer, Lovely!

As I was making my way back to the Taxi I saw the Gauchos in all their regalia
this was the most exciting!
Horseman ride full speed down the street, standing up in their stirrups and attempted to spear a tiny ring about (2ins wide ) dangling from a ribbon.
it looked impossible and not all of them were successful, but some did, I was amazed !

In the evening had dinner on the waterfront with Leanne, had a catch up on all we had done since we last were together in the Galapagos, she had just got back from a couple of tours, the Amazon and tour in Ecuador, had lot to tell me,
(she got lost on a mountain while going for a pee, was one thing)
she is going back home to Oz in a couple of days, so it was great to see her.

Next the Iguazzu Falls
Love,
Kate