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Hello World...

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. 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, the lovely reader , 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'm 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. There's always plenty going on after dark so it was great to be right in the heart of the action from the outset. What better way to begin my travels than to meet up with two friends, both of whom were already in Santiago upon my arrival. My visit also coincided with Chilean celebrations for the national holiday long weekend, so it was all go for the first weekend overseas on this trip. We were out and about every evening, and a bit of local knowledge from my friends really added to the experience. It seemed every evening we headed off to the happening venue in town, and I had a great introduction to Latino culture with good friends to lead the way. 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 farewelled my friends in Santiago and 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 handycam 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 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, 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 11:00am. 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, my introduction to Santiago and northern Argentina has been a wonderful experience. It's so exciting to gradually become immersed in Latino culture which will be my home for the next six months. This is a part of the world where people are truly born to live, and share a common passion to live live to the fullest. My first few weeks in Latin America have been surprisingly cheap with great food, a vibrant culture and beautiful cities. The friendly people and exhilarating Latino culture reminds me of the travel saying, basically all of you should be here now!


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

Tom

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