So I write my next blog from the comfort of my 180* flat bed coach...As Chippy the maths extraordinaire will confirm you can't get flatter than 180*!! If you are going to be on a coach for 20 hours you may as well do it in style with duvet, TV and free booze!! National Express could learn a thing or two!



So now after leaving Buenos Aires the city has grown on me even further to the extent that it makes my top 5 cities I could live/work in (as you asked London, Chicago, Cape Town and Sydney make up the list!). Like London it continues to surprise...went for a walk and stumbled past the polo ground (capacity of Div1 footy club) into the racecourse...sitting in the sun nursing a hangover pretending to know what was going on was a great way to pass the time. Next door the local park with numerous roller bladers (that's how they deliver pizza!), skaters etc enjoying Buenos Aires and brought home great memories of Hyde Park...numerous parks/space is something some US cities I feel sometimes lack.

Nursing hangover really means knackered from my 5.30 am finish...still adjusting to this "lets meet for a drink at 11pm" lifestyle! Went to see Fuerzabruta the Argentine show touring in London...better and bigger production in London!

Well you will be pleased to know I have passed my Spanish course.. wouldn't say with flying colours but got a certificate so now my favourite phrase is "hable ingles?" which is followed by my hands gesturing a lot! Loads more to learn but at least picking up some vocab...most importantly the numbers!

Yesterday I went to the delightful colonial / smugglers town of Colonia in Uruguay (another country TICK!). Lovely old buildings and cars by the sea and more importantly pick up some USD to fund the next part of my trip. Met a German (blog in German but cool videos) guy on a BMW GS motorbike who I chatted to about his journey from New York..."well jel" as the kids say today!!

You may of noted "pick up some USD" from Uruguay...the Argentina Peso is up the creek without a paddle in sight! The official rate is 6.5 to £1....little did I know but the black market rate is 11.6 even to 13 last week. They love USD here and so no point using CC or ATM. Inflation is at a staggering 20%...my local cafe increased prices by 10% in the time I have been there. Meant going to a local illegal change house...although sounds dodgy when changing $580 you are not exactly Pablo Escobar laundering money!! Meant I also got ARP 6720 not 4160 via cambio!!

Few things noticed about South American living:

- why do people clap when the plane lands? It's their job!! Wish I got round of applause every time I got some accounts signed!

- TV presenters are hot!! Not like Loose Women...gets my attention even when I don't understand them!

- remember those coin holders around the neck as a kid??? Well they have them here if anyone needs a replacement...thought they went out in the 90's with bumbags (note my dad still uses his!) but apparently not down here!

- cracking meat here. Even the supermarkets sell whole cows! Last night steak with cow throat starters at Don Julio was top notch especially with the 2007 Malbec being quaffed! All for $50 (a lot of wine!) long may it continue!

Hola! Buenos Dias! Como esta? Right that's your lot from my classes this week...would like to say that you won't understand anymore, whereas the reality is I don't know much more!! To be fair not exactly renowned for my languages (thanks mum for not teaching us German!) so currently feel as though swimming with sharks with anvils around each ankle with the Mariana Trench below me!! Since when have I not looked danger in the face and shouted "Grrrr"!!

Anyway after a delightful flight with Iberia (managed to nab 4 seats in economy to the envy of Jose!) I landed in Buenos Aires close to midnight in 30C heat. Which after leaving London meant I quickly decanted out of my thermals much to the surprise of the arrivals gate who were awaiting their long lost cousin!! It hasn't relented although the occasional thunder shower has tempered the heat wave but doesn't stop me sleeping in front of a fan on full blast to prevent dehydration during the night. The tube one night was a gushing disaster at rush hour!!

(Maybe it's just me being observant/geek/well travelled but they drive on the right yet the tube runs on the left...you are probably thinking I am going mad but let me explain. You are walking on the right pavement towards town following traffic/buses and therefore if you jump down to the underground you would expect the line to follow...ohhh nooo...after going through the barrier I had to go back to the street, cross it and then down again.)

BA is a cool city and my first experience of SA (South America for this purpose not South Africa) is that of a European City. White skin usually seen on fellow gingers and some height amongst the crowd...although believe this will change as I head north...I will transform into the leading role of Gullivers Travels! The city has a resemblance to Paris, Rome and Gotham City (been to all 3!) and the Paris reference is particularly true with all the dog do-do everywhere. Parisian's and   Porteno's all live in flats, have dogs that only walk around the block who save their do-do for the pavement! Now I am not a patron of the RSPCA but surely they like bit of a run around??? And please buy a scoop!!

The city itself has loads of sites and sounds to keep you busy both old and new. Politically related, Peron related, Malvinas related and general protesting related. Due to the troubled past with numerous coups the locals understandably like to protest and put graffiti everywhere to remind you...don't get me wrong they deserve to given what happened in the past. One bad story happened in the 70's with children disappearing and never to be seen...with their mothers protesting they got arrested as anymore than 4 together chatting was deemed a rebellion and so had to be broken up/arrested. To avoid this the mothers kept on walking in a circle in front of the president palace...still happens to this day every Thursday. Riot police are still on standby each day...apparently demonstrations happen daily!!

The people are friendly and been on many excursions to local water holes and restaurants...forgetting the travel tips from Rob I always ordered full portions of food which meant meat sweats were following my heat sweats on numerous occasions!! Much to my delight the water is apparently safe so have been brushing my teeth using a tap!! Yippee!!

Luckily I am returning to these shores twice in the next 2 months hence I am not in any hurry to see everything although wanting to make sure PalmerTours can put in a good performance for my guests...got to survive off the tips!!



Anyway new adventures beckons with Uruguay for 2 days to see Montevideo (Monte Carlo of SA) plus pick up US dollars before heading South to Bariloche (Lake District) and Patagonia.