Blogs from Córdoba, Argentina, South America - page 30

Don´t cry for me Argentina .... in other words stop the rain it´s not fair. So, it´s boiling hot as we cross the border over into Argentina. We´re all excited as we journey forward to our next adventure. A quick stop at San Ignacio to see the Jesuit Ruins, then off trucking again. Mmmh, the leaders try to find a campsite on route to Cordoba (border crossing and journey takes 2 days driving). We find one but half way up the track, narrowly missing a few wandering cows, we come across a teeney weeney wooden bridge that won´t hold a 16 tonne truck. Oh. We have to reverse back down the track, narrowly mising the cows, and get back on the road. As it´s getting dark we pick a layby to set up camp in. Looks ... read more

From those of you have known me since I could pull down the curtain rods, would know that at some stage or another a chick whose key aim in life was to climb to the top of something regardless of what that object is would understand that my life would be defined for pointless aims. To be honest while I always wanted to go on exchange, the experience that I was imagined entailed living a. a nomadic tribe in Mongolia and learning to ride a horse, b. being the only white person on a tiny island in Samoa, or c. living in Asia to see what it is like sharing a 1 room house with 10 people. Unsurprisingly then, my initial desire to go on exchange was fuelled by the notion of reading Don Quixote in ... read more

I am back (in more ways than one). I have left Argentina, touched down in Chile and have finaly landed in New Zealand . There's a lot to try and catch up with (I think my last proper entry date was 23rd November?)... I have allowed myself to drift, 'get lost' and slow down. One day I just wanted to write: 'Love (you all)...' Hippy, ey? On one hand it has been difficult for the old controlling, busy mind, especially as I'm travelling and meant to be exploring and 'living every moment'. On the other hand I kept constricting and recognising the need for quiet or 'protected' times. I sort of did not want to Do, but SENSE and HEAR and LET or just breathe.... In the end I didn't really fight (too much) the frequent ... read more

CORDOBA - a biggish city with a biggish city feel. Nice mix of modern and colonial with a funky little arts market on weekends. Tried a glass of white wine. The waiter didn't know what grape, just that it was white and its brand name - I think it was straight from the wandering vines of Chateau de Baghdad - urghhh! I´m sure there are some very cheeky whites in Argentina but I´ll avoid that minefield in future and stick to the extremely reliable Malbecs and Cabernets. Did we mention earlier about no more overnight bus trips? So with some trepidation we boarded the midnight red-eye express to Buenas Aires. 9 and half hours and Penny slept 10 hours. I don´t know hows she done it but I knows shes done it!!! We arrived in BA ... read more

This university city is bang in the centre of Argentina and with a collection of Argentina’s best preserved colonial architecture, it made a convenient place to stop for a couple of nights. However, when I woke after a long, sticky night in a backpackers hostel, the thought of walking around the second largest city in temperatures of 35 degrees, made my skin prickle and I asked at the tourist office if there was any other option. She suggested a city bus tour and already feeling tired and sweaty after the three block walk from the hotel, it sounded like an excellent idea and I joined thirty or so Argentineans and Brazilians on the top of an red London bus (sponsored by Macdonalds). The tour showed off Cordoba’s colonial centre, Jesuit block and crypt and the beautiful ... read more