wild west

   The horse riding was amazing on one side there were snowy mountians on one side and on the other side was the Mendoza river. Also the villige was astonishing but in our 1st hostel there were FLIPPIN bed bugs!!! So in one in the morning we moved hostels.

In mendoza there was a hostel with a PS3 happy me on the next day we went to some hot springs. we stayed inside all day but in the last ten minutes  we found out there was a outside to it and it was really anoying. But I did love it.

Archie

ooh, so hard to resist the temptation to comment on Archie´s post…

After restorative San Marcos we had an unexpected afternoon in Cordoba between buses to  Mendoza, with sight-seeing, pigeon feeding and a chick flick (suprisingly satisfying!).  Then our first overnight coach for the 12 hour journey to Mendoza nestled in the pre Andes.  A fabulous hostel there with a few backpackers for me to connect with, it´s pretty quiet off season but as a result lots of peaceful accommodation.  We went to the most incredible hotsprings with early snow dropping into the hot water, followed by a sunny afternoon when we discovered the outside pools (See pics). 

The Andes have really triggered that feeling of awe and wanderlust which has been a bit lacking for me in Argentina.  It is breathtakingly beautiful up  here, with the first snowfall of the season and cloudless skies.  We are now in Uspallata, a tiny town near to the Chilean border.  Last week the border was closed due to snow and I was concerned that we would not be able to cross to Santiago.  However, we have a ticket booked for tomorrow and it looks promising. 

Bar the bed bug/flea incident (re pack bags and relocate at 1 am!) it has been wonderful here, the horseriding was in a valley between the pre Andes and Andes proper and was truly magical.  Today (25th May) is Indepenence Day here, so we have just witnessed a huge parade with the military, gauchos and various schools and groups marching through this sleepy town following a big nationalist speech and a mass rendition of presumably the national anthem.  The most tiny children literally strapped onto horses and bobbing precariously along…photos next time! 

It is bitterly cold, I went to bed in ten items of clothing and finally woke up warm.  Hopefully it will be warmer in Santiago and then we head north so hopefully getting warmer although the desert and mountains will be chilly at night wherever we are.

My Spanish is coming on, sometimes I have whole conversations involving mime and blind faith, and even Archie is picking up a few words.

Love to all our friends in blighty xxxx

 

hippy town!

 from Arch

San marcos sierras is the Glastonbury of Argentina. There is a kind of spiritual vibe here but it is kind of fun in the river next to the town. In Bounos aires it was boring and riany but when we went out of the city, it was wonderful. It was sunny I got Mc Donalds and we went on a boat down the delta. When we got back we went to the zoo B) In Rosario we also went on some pedalos and got some amazing shots of palm trees. Obviously my favorite thing was the pedalos but Mum hated it because I was steering! My least favorite thing was when Mum was steering!

from Becky

So…Buenos Aries was not boring for me but pretty challenging trying to communicate in Spanish (I had none and  not much more today), avoid being mown down by the insane drivers and dodging dog poo (mundane I know, but a major obstacle).  The contrast between rich and poor was huge and the extent of the poverty (and the shadow it casts) was a suprise to me.  We were staying in San Telmo which is pretty central and working class, lots of dilapidated colonial buildings and grafiti and a great Sunday market.  Sadly we missed the tango due to early bedtimes, but Muppets 2 in Spanish was a revelation (in my defence it was raining… a lot…).  We also visited the zoo and nearby Tigre where we cruised up the Parana delta on a beautiful sunny day. The museum of modern art was really fabulous for both Archie and I with an entrancing exhibition of miniature worlds and a huge pop art section .

Next stop Rosario, a much quieter city with a huge river and a ‘beach’ where we played for a whole day with a local family.  We stayed in the very quirky and shabby ‘Art Hostel’ where Archie was unamused at having to share a dorm, but every wall was plastered with artwork and the staff were very sweet.  Also the pedalos…a highlight for Archie.  From there we were eager to escape the city, so we headed to Cordoba and north to the Cordoban Sierras.  Firstly Carlos Paz, a pretty but touristy town amid lakes and mountains.  Now we are firmly settled in San Marcos Sierras for a few days r & r.  Having been keen to escape aspects of Glastonbury, I am infinitely relieved to find myself in a ‘hippie’ (sic) town where we can paddle in the river among idyllic mountains with nothing more than the odd gaucho…or quad bike…to contend with.  There are ‘millions’ of stray dogs (according to Archie) who are incredibly well mannered, children for Archie to play with, healthy food and a very laid back vibe.

Archie has taken all this in his stride.  I found BA pretty tough and intense, but becoming more relaxed by the day and eternally grateful for the patience of Argentinians with my bumbling Spanish (and for being rescued numerous times on public transport).  The food has been ‘interesting’, dominated by sugar/bread/meat/cheese/fried food which is way too much ballast for me but we manage!!  And the absolute luxury of no (house)work and being able to enjoy my time with Archie is bliss…. Ciao for now xx

Click for album:

http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/beckyandarchie/slideshow/blog%201

 

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Buenos Aries

Just to let you know that we have arrived safe and sound, jet lagged, unable to communicate (yet….)!  Will post some ´pig news´ from Archie and some photos in the next few days xxx