So yes, before i get up-to-date I shall share a quick overview of Buenos Aires.
Folk
Portenos are ace people it turns out. Very friendly, convivial and like a good laugh. But not as much as they like dogs. Of which there are kazillions and, consequently, bazillions of pro dog walkers exercising 10 at once. I saw a fight between the dogs of two rival dog walkers - very funny to see the humans getting dragged down the street as the hounds took flight for a royal rumble. However, no-one likes picking up dog poo very much. My trainers have collected some soveniurs along the way. in Argentina they also love the Mullets and Rat Tails here - no two haircuts are the same. They also like beards so I fitted in fine (NB: in my folly i left my beard trimmers at home so i made my spanish teacher write down very clear instructions that i could read out to Barbers to get my facial folicles trimmed... it worked too...tho its a little bit sculpted like a "Just For Men" advert).
Getting about
The aforementioned subway system is good and cheap (just over 10p to go where you want) and taxis abound (again fairly cheap, but it can be expensive if they give you the ´tour´or pull the old "that´s a fake 50" trick). However, my favourite mode of transport was the Collectivios (buses). They´re brilliant. They have, I kid you not, about 1000 different routes. The buses of each route have they´re own colours with the drivers ties reflect the team strip. Again they cost about 10p and, not that I´ve turned into a Bus Spotter, if i was forced to choose the best route i would have to settle on the 152. Dedo Arriba!
Folk
Portenos are ace people it turns out. Very friendly, convivial and like a good laugh. But not as much as they like dogs. Of which there are kazillions and, consequently, bazillions of pro dog walkers exercising 10 at once. I saw a fight between the dogs of two rival dog walkers - very funny to see the humans getting dragged down the street as the hounds took flight for a royal rumble. However, no-one likes picking up dog poo very much. My trainers have collected some soveniurs along the way. in Argentina they also love the Mullets and Rat Tails here - no two haircuts are the same. They also like beards so I fitted in fine (NB: in my folly i left my beard trimmers at home so i made my spanish teacher write down very clear instructions that i could read out to Barbers to get my facial folicles trimmed... it worked too...tho its a little bit sculpted like a "Just For Men" advert).
Getting about
The aforementioned subway system is good and cheap (just over 10p to go where you want) and taxis abound (again fairly cheap, but it can be expensive if they give you the ´tour´or pull the old "that´s a fake 50" trick). However, my favourite mode of transport was the Collectivios (buses). They´re brilliant. They have, I kid you not, about 1000 different routes. The buses of each route have they´re own colours with the drivers ties reflect the team strip. Again they cost about 10p and, not that I´ve turned into a Bus Spotter, if i was forced to choose the best route i would have to settle on the 152. Dedo Arriba!
One thing that did cross my mind was how screwed this enourmous city would be if / when we all run out of petrol. I think our grey haired friend above might, instead, be waving his middle finger about (with his 152 tie round his head as he loots an electronics shop). Still, at least the stinking fumes would vanish.
Cultural differences / stuff
Men kiss each other goodbye. Thanks to the infinite wit and wisdom of Rob Andrews I understand why (back in the day you´d complement folk or pass on secret messages and stuff). Which is fine...except I wasn´t really expecting, as i said goodbye to a Porteno friend, to have a peck planted on my cheek. That or i´d gone in the wrong kind of bar and had a dose of Rehypnol slipped in my drink and he thought i was out of it.
They love a good protest - nearly everyday there was some group or other having a pop at the government in the main square (no posties that i could spot, tho, mum). The most moving one of all tho is the weekly (Thursdays at 3.30pm) protest by the Madres de Plaza de Mayo. Very moving stuff...
ummm... i´m out of time. I´m in Puerto Madryn at the moment and have to get a quick bite to eat before i do a scuba dive thing with some sealions. Can´t wait - i have a feeling this could be one of the highlights of the trip...
4 comments:
Los carteres han parado el pulso. Usted ha bailado su tango pasado en B.A.?
Scuba diving sea lions? That should be good! Less worrying for me than 'swimming with sharks' I must say!
How can you say that you have a beard like a Just for Men advert and not include a picture? Maybe you could make some cash with a little beard modelling. Neil is right on target.
Don't worry about the petrol, they're all well into their bio-fuels down that way.
It's wet, cold and something inside me will die forever the next time I hear a Christmas song on my way to work.
Steer clear of any dogs and keep up the good work.
Well I hope the bite to eat truly lived up to your expectations.
Having never been allowed to have a beard - tell me, do you shampoo it?
ps. He says to his mate...go on son. you knock it in.
The bottom of the earth now! And snow!! Did you pack you jumpers or did you leave them in HBT!
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