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We got our luxury ultra modern cama suite overnight bus at 2pm but by 4.30pm we had broken down.We had to spen the next 2h30mins with a crazy granjad who owned the bar/grill place that we had stopped at.He told us all about how this was the most beautiful area on the planet and that it was Che Guevara's birthplace. We were then given a Mate (strange argentinian tea that they are all addicted too) demonstration.We were plied with leaflets about the town, a book about orchids andLisa was gifted with jungle beads.All the bus drivers thought we were German no matter how much English was spoken or the fact they were told we are from England.
On these luxury ultra modern cama suite buses there is Autobar.This Autobar was drained into a flask by us so that we could drink it whenever we wanted whilst waiting.
Once the other bus arrived we settled in but had to wait until 11pm for our dinner as they waited until the next stop. Although Lisa had asked to reserve Veggie food, and in the office they had said Yes, once on the bus a simple short NO was given, in true kulak style there was no explanation or way to work around the problem.Anyway Lisa expecting food disasters had packed her own broccoli pate and crackers.
We arrived in Buenos Aires in the morning and went to a cheap hotel, but which had no heating, no TV, no natural light and two grimy kitchens.You get what you pay for.We did get free internet but when we first used the computer we left our map out on the table with markings and pens on it.When we turned around it had all disppeared.To this day we do not know how we missed this episode.The next day Tourist Info was shut (Sunday) so we had to wait until the next day.
On Sunday there is a famous Antiques Fair which happened to take place in the square just outside our hotel.There were many Male Anns and Artesanal s*** all through the streets blocking our path.I suppose this was meant to be cultural but lots of people got in our way.It was particularly disturbing to see how many dead animals people were wearing, the fur industry is alive and kicking in BA.Lisa has threatened to buy red paint and squeals with disgust if a coat comes anywhere near her.
We found a fabulous shopping centre that only contains boutiques of real designers.There are also very cosmopolitan cafes which have large glasses of good wine much cheaper than coffee.This has become a favourite for lunchtime wine.
On the 9th July (Independence Day) More shops were closed and the weather became extra cold.Lisa bought a new camera as Lumicron had pissed her off just once too often and now she was replaced.The cold weather brought snow in the afternoon and evening, which made world news as it hadn't occurred in BA for 90 years.We didn't realise this at the time and thought the kulaks had gone crazy, as they were all in the streets looking amazed and taking pictures.
We walked around to Teatro Colon (a very old theatre) to try and book tickets for when we return but the theatre was closed for renovation.This trip led to disaster as we walked into a trap.We were sprayed with a brown substance, which mainly landed on Charlie.Two people then proceeded to clean us off, and the man spent a lot of time cleaning Charlie's trousers.We were immediately suspicious and this was confirmed as they ran away into a taxi and Charlie realised his wallet was not in his pocket anymore.Luckily he had not found the keys to his bags in the morning and so they were in the room and the only money they got was 5 pesos (80 pence).This was probably the cost of the taxi.We later realised that the substance was mustard and had been thrown at us by a man (on a mobile) whom we had passed in the street.It was a well set up con but we were immediately suspicious, as kulaks touching you is never good.It was probably best not to react as they could have snatched Lisa's bag and used force.We were just annoyed to have crap all over our coats and Charlie was annoyed to have lost his second purse.
There is an underground network of trains in BA called the 'Subte'.Our hotel was quite far from the centre and so we decided to use this convenient method of travel.Most the journeys were uneventful and passed without incident but as it was in Mexico there were a couple of hilarious occasions.Being very English Charlie and Lisa don't like to cause a scene but Charlie foolishly created one.He paid for a ticket with a 10 peso note and thought it was a 20 and demanded more change. There was a short argument at the box and Charlie left cross and angry, which was matched by disbelief and anger in Lisa also.On the platform Charlie realised his mistake as he counted his money and realised he must have handed over a 10 peso note in the first place.Lisa had trouble on the train but tried not to cause a scene.We had nearly reached our stop when a man got on from the previous stop and stood near L and C.He was freakishly tall and wearing big Sunglasses (on the underground), all very suspicious and so we laughed at him immediately.He spent the journey next to Lisa who had turned away to stare at other things.She was trapped in a corner and there was a handle behind her so she assumed the touching was accidental.This was soon disspelled as she wriggled away and the hand followed on her bottom.She tried to communicate this with Charlie but stuck it out until the tube stop came up and Lisa said 'quick run'.When Charlie asked why she didn't confront him she said she didn't want to cause a scene.
We decided to do a bit of culture in BA and we visited the Evita Museum.The first time we visited it was closed and so we headed back into town but we returned the next day.The museum is situated in an area that reminded us both of South Kensington.The museum was interesting but never explained why some people hated her so much, enough to say 'Hurrah for Cancer', which is a bit extreme.
Final Thoughts:Nice city with good shops but technology is expensive.The robbery should have woken us up to dangers but we always expect kulaks to do naughty things.Room was too cold but the soup was good.The snow was interesting.
Mark out of 10:6.5
Next Time...................... Mar del Plata
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