Chicas in spray on blue jeans

Hello Friends

Welcome to my brand spanking new travel blog and here begins the first posting of a travel journal which is a tentative yet exciting first step for me ... and hopefully an informative and entertaining diversion for you dear reader. Life on the road develops a particular rhythm and after two weeks mainly in northern Argentina I'm beginning to feel the beat, as I ease into a six month journey to discover the joys of Latin America.

Sydney is a big city and after an uneventful flight via Auckland on 17 September my port of arrival was Santiago, which is a big city. But this is South America and I am very glad to be here. I spent four enjoyable nights at a hostel in Barrio Bellavista which is a very popular area in Santiago for bars, restaurants and nightlife. What better way to begin my travels than to meet up with two friends, both of whom were already in Santiago upon my arrival. It also coincided with Chilean celebrations for the national holiday long weekend so it was all go for the first weekend overseas on this trip. A highlight was meandering through Park O´Higgins on the sunday which was teeming with Chileans celebrating the holidays and visiting the chock-a-block stalls.

It was soon time to move on and north is the plan. I booked a bus across the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina. The road over the Andes was quite spectacular with regular 180 degree turns onwards and upwards. I captured the scene on camera as the trucks and buses snaked up the mountains and through ski runs in a conga line to the border. I travelled for three days with two Americans that I met on the bus who are studying english in Chile and popped across the border for a sticky beak. Mendoza is a beautiful latin american city featuring wide paved boulevards that are lined with mature trees and a thriving outdoor dining and cafe scene till late. Prices are far cheaper than in Chile and I believe the food is markedly superior. I then travelled to Cordoba via San Juan and then further east to Rosario. All three cities are beautiful as are many of the women who grace them. Blue jeans for the ladies are all the fashion in this country, and worn so tight they look as if they have been sprayed on but I digress. Where was I, er ... that´s it, the travel journal!

Speaking in spanish is a huge challenge for me which at times can degenerate to farcical levels on my part. For example yesterday morning at the hostel a spanish traveller asked me the time. No problem, I told him it was 11am. Then he asked me what time checkout was, I told him 12 and he furrowed his brow. Something didn´t seem right, he walked out of the dorm and I scrambled for the dictionary. He must have been thinking this hostel has the latest checkout in Argentina because in trying to say midday I had actually told him midnight! Oh well, you live and learn from your mistakes.

In summary, northern Argentina is very cheap with great food, a vibrant culture featuring beautiful cities and friendly people which reminds me of the travel saying dear reader,............. basically all of you should be here now!

"Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the assault of thoughts on the unthinking." John Maynard Keynes

Top 3 Hotels/Restaurants
Bellavista Hostel - Santiago, Chile
Tango Hostel - Cordoba, Argentina
La Casona de Don Jaime Hostel - Rosario, Argentina

Top 3 Sights/Activities
O´Higgins Park during national holiday - Santiago, Chile
Rosario Monument - Rosario, Argentina
Mendoza restaurants - El Centro Mendoza, Argentina

As I continue my travels, until next time it´s signing off for now

Tom

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