Today is day one, and I visited the MAAN archeological museum to see the mummified Inca girl. The museum is rather small, with text mostly in Spanish and the price is about $10. There are some videos with English subtext but nothing tells you how the children died. I had to re-enter the museum twice to get to English speaking people at the entrance and ask them. Here is the website: http://www.maam.org.ar/?seccion=museo Click on Tour Virtual to see museum. They are very coy and after three minutes will show you a distant shot of the mummy. I took photo of postcard for this blog. Again, they were very coy at the museum shop. No, they did not sell single postcards of the mummy children, you had to pay for a package of ten (just a ... read more

Here I am in Rosario, after a sleepless night on the bus. Strangely, the police stopped the bus three times on the road from Iquazu and asked to see our passports. This is a handsome city with cathedral and parks and tango bars. Last night Cristina (Servas) took me to a tango bar and I had my first lesson. What a sensuous dance though difficult to get the steps, shifting of weight, the trick that women must relax and flow with her partner but concentrate on proper holds and where her partner is trying to direct her. After the lesson the regulars took the floor. Women wore tall heels, men shiny shoes, and it was beautiful to watch. Yes, I finally experienced the tango in Argentina. Two days later: even better, we went to underground tango ... read more

I am back in this handsome city. Yesterday I got ticket for flight to Iguazu Falls today. It will be interesting trying to get city bus to domestic airport. Later: Seems I am always shortchanging Buenos Aires when it comes to text or photos. The city is great on its own and it doesn´t need my extra compliments. Currently, I am sweating buckets sitting at computer in Iguazu Falls. It is hellishly hot and humid here and I better think I have visited a world wonder tomorrow when I do the tourist thing and go to the falls. This place is not cheap. I will let the photos and comments speak for themselves. Meanwhile....I am melting!!!!... read more

I hadn´t planned to go to Punta del Este, Uruguay´s version of Miami Beach; but as life unwinds and email conversations lead me down unexpected paths I found myself on a bus heading towards Servas hosts who did not speak English but were happy to have me visit their home. I was apprehensive, but when I met Daniela and Gabriel I could not have been made to feel more welcomed. Using a potpurri of Spanish, English, French words and creative body language and a trusty dictionary we were able to communicate. On the first evening we went out with an English teacher who volunteered to translate and answer any questions. By day two we were discussing philosophy and politics on our own. They are both artists from Argentina who moved here to set up their studio. ... read more

Today I went to the bus station to find out times for buses to Montevideo tomorrow. I got a map and some tourist information. There is more to La Paloma than meets the eye....more beaches, parks, things to do. With these tips, I walked to the lighthouse and climbed all those stairs to get the eagle-eye view of the area. Cyber travel buddies, I hope you appreciate the things I do for you. ha ha Later, I walked through the park to see the thatched cottages and horses that remind you of Europe; and I found the popular beach. Oh, and I came across a hotel with huge sign saying that it is advertised in the Lonely Planet. I went in to ask about the price of a single room in the low season. For $16 ... read more