Yo people, We are now great pros at public transport - left the house at 5 am this morning and after 2 trains and a tube we eventually arrived in Mar Del Plata after a ridiculously long train journey over 7 hours; and for going to somewhere as far away as wales it was uber long but we wanted to slum it as thats what the gap is all about. Josie will cover the ins and outs because I have neglected my friends and family long enough and need to get down to some serious emailing! Peter was attacked on one of the trains to Retiro from our house by some crazy slum children but thats thankfully all the dramas so far... apart from will breaking the whole bathroom and leaving us covered in sand and salt arghhh!

Love Alice XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After 7 hours on an 'interesting' train this morning, leaving Buenos Aires at 06:50 this morning, we arrived at Mar del Plata, a beach resort on the Atlantic. When we got on the train we were highly dubious, particularly as urchins were lurking about, and the train was pitch black! The toilets were the most 'unusual feature', containing no flush, instead leading straight onto the tracks below! but it was surprisingly comfortable, and after getting up at 04:45 we managed to sleep for most of the journey.

Mar del Plata is pretty touristy, but it looks like it will meet our requirements.. The hotel we're staying in is quite nice, although Will managed to break the loo within minutes of our arrival, and then tried to blame it on the group as a whole, shirking the blame! cheeky beast! Also, the beach is so windy, and we are absolutely covered in sand, but we cant use our bathroom as we're awaiting the plumber.. Unacceptable!

The first few nights in BA were slightly dodgy regarding our attempts to find a decent place to go out.. the guidebooks are useless, quoting wrong prices, and advising us to go to places which close during Jan/Feb.. But we asked one of the pleasant waitresses from the famed 'Hooters', at which we ate on Saturday, and she pointed us in the direction of some ruddy classy place called 'Opera Bay', which we'd never be able to afford in London.. Good times. Parents, i'm sure you'd be delighted to hear of the cheapness of alcohol.. 4 quid for a litre bottle of smirnoff :) the old livers are receiving a battering, but we're giving it rest-days inbetween :)

Hope you're all well.. take care.. Love Josie xxxxxxxxx