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Published: April 25th 2011
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antique market, San Telmo
there were antique markets all over San Telmo So, long weekend here too but not as long as in UK as we were back at school today!
You will all be pleased to hear that the weather has improved here too so you don't have to gloat that the UK is having a heatwave - we know!!!
Friday we explored some more of BA on foot - San Telmo is a touristy district but nice. We stumbled upon a film set (yes really! - the roads were closed, there were several cars overturned and burnt out and from what we could gather they were re-enacting a bomb! No Bratt Pitt so we moved on! (after G had taken loads of photos! The beauty of a digital camera - I just come home and cull them!!)
Saturday we caught the bus to Tigre which is about 1.5 hours away (ticket cost us 60pence each return)! It was a lovely place which is at teh mouth of two rivers so lots of boats and rowers! We did another few hours walking and then went to the Puerto de Fruitos which is like a huge market (Gordon thinks its what Wimborne market should aspire to!) with stalls selling EVERYTHING!
I even had a cheese and ham waffle on a stick!!!
We got home from there to prepare for The Game - for which I'll pass you to our football correspondent.....
....... thank you Wendy.
Saturday 1930 hrs
the preparation for the game got off to a slightly disorganised start as we were not sure of the day or the time of the match. A minor detail, which I sat down to ponder with a bottle of Quilmes beer. The internet said game was on Sunday, while the very nice man who sold us the ticket said it was on Saturdayat 2030hrs ( or 8.30 pm in old money) A dilemma indeed. Whilst sipping more beer, I hoped somebody would solve the issue, and lo and behold, Elsa, our host, telephoned a friend who confirmed it was indeed Saturday evening, and we would have to rush and leave immediately as the roads were already packed with supporters and buses could not get through.
Faster than a speeding bullet, Wendy was up, washing and getting changed in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, I deliberated on whether to finish my beer and then get changed, or ,perhaps get
changed and then finish beer - the worries I face. After changing , finishing my beer ( and the rest of W's that she left ) we soon found ourselves awaiting transport, and with the aid of some loose change and a number 60 bus, we were soon en route.
Were the roads blocked with supporters thus not allowing buses through - nay dear leader they were not. In all truth, I could probably have had a second bottle of beer. By 1845 we had meandered to the ground, stopping only for a delicious chori-pan at the princely cost of 10 pesos each ( about £1.50). Around the ground it was suddenly packed. This confused me ( must have been the beer), but I knew that fans in Spain in Italy always get to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere. After queuing for 25 minutes to get in - during which time I noticed that the tickets did not have a row or seat number ) - we rushed up the stairs to the third tier. Now, we are hoping to complete a 5 day trek to Macchu Picchu, but a 5 min walk up 6 big
flights of stairs knackered us - perhaps we will take the train instead !!! Anyway, I digress. We got to the seats and found it was a sit anywhere policy. Whilst finding two seats together ( Wendy insisted) , I heard a big roar and on turning, noticed both teams on the pitch. Quite unusual for them to be warming up at the same time I thought, but, as the smarter readers will ahve worked out , IT WAS THE KICK OFF !!!!!! an hour and a quarter before the time we were told. We had made it with seconds to spare. Just as well I told Wendy we didn't have time for another beer before leaving.
Within minutes the ground was packed. all seats taken, so the fans then just sit on the stairs in the aisles. This made it extremely difficult for the vendors peddling their wares such as cola and nuts and sliced ham ( sliced ham at a football game ? whatever next ? selling fruit ???? ) and fresh fruit. We made friends with the good people around us, who were extremely friendly and happy, but spoke no English. We were extremely friendly and
happy and spoke just a little Spanish. God knows what was discussed during these conversations, but I have a feeling W now owns Chile, and I am marrying Eva Peron's granddaughter.
Anyway to the game. An atmosphere like no other. Intense passion, but no threat of trouble. We were treated like honorary River Plate fans. The main difference was the singing. At UK football games we tend to chant, here they actually sing. It was like having three hundred male voice choirs, but with personality. And when River scored, am sure the roar was heard in Poole and perhaps Crewe. Everything was going to plan. River winning and the team above them in the league were getting beat by Quilmes ( where the beer mentioned earlier and one of my new found friends lived - he admitted the beer is the only good thing to come form Quilmes !! ). The opposition - Godoy Cruz de Mendoza and their 500 fans were nowhere. This was to be River's night and return to the top of the league.
Then, would you believe it, just after half time Godoy scores. Silence. I mean silence. Not a sound ( apart from
the mad Godoy fans ) could be heard. Despondent faces stared at each other for a few moments, but then the fans got behind River and roared them on, looking for the winner. The team responded with verve and flair. With fortitude and strength and some of the greatest diving and rolling around ever seen by this reporter. Surely the winner would come, and lo it did - for Godoy. Many heads were held in hands, tears flowing and hopes of going top of the league disappearing with the smoke from nearby fireworks into the dark Buenos Aires sky.
and that was that , and we went back home.
back to you Wendy
Thank you Gordon (I am never going to compete with G on his journalistic talents, sorry, back to my mundane style!!
Sunday we had a lie in after the excitement of Saturday. It was a gorgeous day so we packed out kindles and a picnic and set off to the Parks in Palermo, where loads of other locals had decided to go too but it was lovely. We christened the folding plastic cups Moira had bought us - with wine!
All in
all a good weekend!
We have started our malaria tablets in preparation for Iguazu on the weekend (its a "malaria area"!) so even for one night we're not taking a chance!
We can't listen to the Beatles being murdered by the singer over the bar PA so we're off home!
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Albert
non-member comment
Looks like you are having fun guys. Wendy waffling on about a waffle....what next? Enjoy.