So its probably fair to say we didn't give BA the best chance in the world from day one. The crap version of Paris was a little harsh. I stand by it still as in fainess it still reminds me of a crap version of Paris, the buildings are very Parisienne, the streets are quite dirty and there really is no Eiffel Tower here. However, Paris is full of Parisiennes (not very nice people), the Argentinians are lovely people, very friendly and smiley. True there is a LOT of delapadated (sorry for bad spelling) buildings, a hell of a lot. There is a lot of buildings for sale, the footpaths are pretty rubbish, but in between all of that are some really lovely pieces of Architecture. After our first night we moved to a new hostel, and here is how things went from there

We got the subway across town, and walked a few blocks to our new place. It looks kind of arty also, but in more of a Speakeasy kind of way, and looks like it would have been a really funky tango bar in the 20's or 30's. We are uplifted immediately. We put our stuff away and head out for a stroll around our new neighbourhood, San Telmo. San Telmo is famous (in BA anyway), for its small cobblestoned streets and antique shops, there are loads of them. We stroll through the streets and wander into the market, which is usually on Sundays and much busier than when we get there, and buy some fruit.... mmmm shiney apples!!!! Regina had read about La Boca being somewhere we should go visit, I have heard its not safe to go there, we take a stroll down that direction, you can tell it is a poor neighbourhood. The next paragraph is not to put anyone off, as it may have been better or worse than we imagined

As we walked down the main street, we decided to head inwards to see a church and then across to see the famous coloured buildings and art gallery in La Boca. On our way two old ladies started talking to us and gesturing that we needed to watch for pick pocketers. They then started asking us things, we told them we didnt understand, so they asked a young man for help. He asked where we were going, and then told us it was not safe to go the way we were going, and to go his way with the old ladies. They turned off, and gave us the directions to get there but half way down the street, I looked up and saw a policeman running across the street and out of sight. We walked down slowly as we werent sure what had happened, and there seemed to be a lot of people outside a restaurant as if someone had been robbed or something. We decided it was best to just head back, and on the way back we saw quite a few police cars down in the direction of where the other police man had ran... thats all we really know what happend, the rest was our imagination. Either way it was pretty crap down that way that we did see... anyway, the rest of the story is ok

Back in San Telmo we stopped for lunch in the main square. An old American lady leaned over our table as she was leaving hers to tell us she was very impressed we hadnt gone to MacDonalds. The feeling may have been mutual but we just smiled back to her, After a nice lunch we headed towards the Central area, and for the Avenue Florida. The thing that has struck us both about this place, and it pretty much hits us on this walk, is that BA looks like it would have been really really nice some time ago. I may be repeating myself from the blog for the first day, but it really is as if everyone in BA hired architects of the highest quality to design absolutely every old building in the city. Anyway, we head down towards Florida street where the weekly protest about the Argentina war (according to regina) takes place. There is also a lot of things on sale by street vendors, and there are lots of nice designer shops and not so designer shops. We find a fancy art gallery shopping centre, with paintings on the ceiling ala Mick and Angelo, and a massive Christmas tree (dry your eyes regina!!). We walk around in here, and Regina even works up the courage to try something on, it was a bit flopsy if I remember!!!! At this stage I am slightly lost in my story, as we walked for hours and saw so much, so I guess I will just say it was really nice walking around, safe, and pretty..

We had agreed to meet up with Mags (the other kerry girl) at eight by the subway. We hadnt eaten, and as it was seven, and we were starving we decided to find somewhere on the way.... we also needed to pee. We couldnt find anywhere, and were losing the will to go on. As we passed along one street, there was a band playing with trumpets and guitars and a small drum kit, really jazzy stuff. At the next street, I could hear music I recognised ahead but couldnt place it. There was a big crowd hanging around them, two guitarists, a base, and a female drummer. The lead singer, a girl, was whaling away at some tune (no words), but I still couldnt place it. It was also very good. After the song ended, a guy from the front of the crowd got up and went around with a hat, our queue to bolt, as the bass player started banging out a riff, this I did recognise, Money by Pink Floyd.... clever eh!!!! They were just starting into Wish You Were Here when I thought that would make a nice video for all of you readers who I wish were here so I wouldnt have to describe it for you. On we went anyway, and found a cafe for a pee and some tea, no time for food til mags gets here. Met up with mags who had already eaten but we go somewhere for food anyway. Me and Regina both have massive steaks and chips, and mags has a bottle of wine, a big one, it was only a euro extra for the full bottle, why not!!!!! After dinner and lots of chatting, we sprint walk home to bed, knackered. Plans are made for a trip to Tigra the next day, that you shall hear about tomorrow, maybe

Tune in next time to the meaning of eh milk by Regina Harrington... xoxo