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Published: April 14th 2005
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Friday 8 April 2005 : Bus through Argentinian Chaco
The Chaco is an immensely significant area. It rises only 200m in 900 km. Beginning near the Rio Parana with wetlands it gradually changes to scrub and desert. Economy is horse/cattle/goat based with what seem to be lots of charcoal burning locally. No idea if the wood is sensibly felled .
Stopped at lots of towns/villages/hamlets. Very little to distinguish them to my ignorant eyes.
Most dwellings are very simple, made of some brick, lots of wood and corrugated iron, with water tank on roof, wooden fences surrounding chicken-run etc
As we moved West more goats, and horses running seemingly wild.
Sweetened coffee for breakfast with sweet biscuits. PM triangular sarnies, all of which had some meat in. Peeled meat off and gave to Rory. Asleep before evening meal. Wish I had minimal Spanish to converse with the very helpful steward.
Saturday 9 April 2005 : Mendoza
Arrived late at 10:45 instead of 09:00 at the end of what was meant to be a 36-hour journey fuelled by sweetened instant coffee and a fairly unchanging vista of dry or wet scrub (can scrub be wet ?). Straight
to the taxi-rank.
Arrived at the apart-hotel, were late but expected. Short discussion over balance outstanding and then we’re in. …
Then out again for a nosey round town. First impressions good, lots of shade, trees and space. Got a free map from the TIC. Tried to find a dictionary in what claimed to be a bookshop but had the book section barricaded from the public. Emerged and were accosted by a bright young Mendocita who led us to a different bookshop where I bought a cheap dictionary (did we look English and desperate for a book ?).
Stopped for first solid food since Thursday evening and had a cheese and onion pizza, then on to the supermercado for other supplies. Noticed earlier there was only a kettle, a coffee-pot, a colander and a small frying-pan in the apartment kitchen so didn’t buy anything to cook.
Back at the apartment the boys watched TV, Deb fell asleep and I went for a chat with the concierge (sorry I do not know the Spanish word - yet).
1) We have no cazo in the cocina. After some attempted explanation I drew a piccy of a saucepan. Later he appeared at the door with a saucepan - brilliant, now we can have god (unintentional but worthy typo) stuff like pasta and potatoes.
2) Is breakfast included ? Yes. Is there a dining room - no, you have breakfast in your room, ring me when you want it.
We’ll try in the morning though it may not be any great shakes. Breakfast at the Puerto Iguazu hostel was stale toast with toffee spread and coffee, while the bus was sweetened coffee and biscuits. N.b. you can get 5kg of the banoffee toffee stuff for 13 Argentinian Pesos, that’s under 3 quid but probably costs a lot to post.
Stayed in tonight, boys like luxury of TV and we’ ve had enough strolling until Sunday.
Sunday 10 April 2005 : Mendoza sans Breccy
Woken at 10:20 by Rory. Too late for breakfast. I’ve developed a rotten cold so went back to sleep while Deb made coffee and the boys watched TV again.
PM walked to the language school to check timings for Monday morning. Then strolled through fairly empty streets and watched the world go by in the Plaza Independencia. Bit like like Hitchin really but grander and warmer even though it is Autumn here. Parents watching children in the playground, ice-cream man blowing his whistle.
Handed a flyer for the theatre we strolled past. A production in Spanish of something like ‘One of our Pirates is missing’, fun for all the family. Maybe next Sunday after we have absorbed a little lingo.
The supermarket is open on Sunday so we bought more stuff and went back to cook delish potatoes and chick peas, with chicken for the boys. Unfortunately could not find a comb or hairbrush for Owen.
All fairly knackered so early to bed. No photos yet.
Monday 11 April 2005 : First steps in Espanol
Woken at 07:20 by Deb’s alarm. Still dark. Checked time on TV, yep it is now 7:32 .
Ordered breakfast by telephone. When will it arrive ? We need to be at the language school early to register. 7:45 breakfast delivered, good coffee, juice and croissants - excellent, we were expecting dry biccies and dulce de leche.
Off to school. In a class of 6 people, chap from Northampton and one from Freiburg (who teaches Engineering and Philosophy). T’internet available during break time foc. Booked Tango lesson for pm.
Tango OK, reminded us of what we could do eleven years ago.
Found a veggy restaurant where the boys can order meaty things from the place next door. Great place to celebrate our wedding anniversary tonight. But first back to the apartment to do our homework before tomorrow’s class.
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