A quick up date on the last few weeks before I take to task summing up the experience that is - South America!!!

Well we went to see the falls in Igaussu - yes very impressive - lots of water falling!! Then been back to Buenos Aires - 18 hr bus journey there and back - I love buses!!! Then just because we hadn't been on a bus for 12 hrs we decided to take a 5 and half hr bus journey to a place called Mar Del Plata on the coast!! Thought it was going to be the San Tropez of Argentina - turned out to be the Eastbourne of the country!! A place for newly weds and nearly deads!!

After another 5 and half hr bus journey we arrived back in Buenos Aires for the third time of asking! Don't know why we're trying to get away from the place - it's great! Witnessed a woman getting mugged, had one bloke in our hostel get punched on the streets, another guy on the way to the football match had his face hit with a brick whilst his camera was stolen and our hostel owner sees us off the premises everyday with the line 'be careful'! Ahh I love living in constant fear! I'm a a tourist - 'Get me out of here'!!!! (Jen - I have only not edited this bit out because we are now safely out of the area so Mums please don't panic!)

On the plus side saw Boca Jnrs play - awesome if not slightly scary - squashed in the stands with the locals cheering as the standium literally and I mean literally rocks!!! - Any way enough of BA - tonight to Canada - Happy Days!!!

The Great, the Grime and the Gaucho's

Whilst I think it's fair to say that I'm no expert on S. America I do think having spent three months here that I have an idea of the characterisics of this mad and wonderful continent! For those of you who may have been here I hope that even if you don't agree with my opinion that I will have sparked some memories - be them happy or otherwise!!

Well truth be told - this continent is absolutely nuts!!! There are places and attractions that are absolutely beautiful, scenery that is so spectacular no words can give them justice. There are wonderful people - friendly, courteous, hard working and who genuinely have a passion for their country, land and history. For those who have kept up with our adventure you will appreciate the vastness and beauty of Patagonia, the sheer scale of Iguassu and the great history and spectacle that is the Andes and Machu Picchu! The cities compare and contrast depending on the countries economic fortune. Quito, Riobamba and La Paz in particular despite showing off some typical colonial architecture also show off a huge amount of poverty. La Paz literally lined the streets with homeless people and beggars. Not just adults, but children and young children at that even babies. Driving through the suburbs of these cities it is clear to see the extreme poverty of people living in shacks, sitting around by the road sides and generally having nothing to do. Contrast that with Argentina and Chile where the cities are thriving and you'd be forgiven for thinking that you were somewhere in Europe!

What has stuck out to us is the sheer madness and illogical manner in which South Americans live. For example in La Paz the streets are not lined with huge shops or department stores but with little market stalls and small shops and they all sell exactly, and I mean exactly, the same thing! Go into one shop and you can buy water, toilet paper, cigarettes and of course Pringles! Go to the next shop and you'll find exactly the same! - I don't think Mr Sugar will be taking on any Bolivians as his new Apprentice!!

Then there's the showers - these have driven us up the wall!! So they have a shower in the bathroom and the shower has a lip to stop the water running and of course a shower curtain - but the shower curtain doesn't reach the lip - so the water goes all over the bathroom floor anyway - What is the point!!!!!! (Some showers are also literally in the toilet or nr enough and have no shower curtain - lovely - brings a new meaning to multi-tasking!)

Then there's the whole South American way of life - everyone's so chilled out. Nothing is run to time - you ask for how long something will take and the reply is always '5 minutes' S. American 5 mins is unfortunately about half an hour!! Then there's the whole eating thing. You go into a restaurant (I'm thinking specifically of Argentina here) and you sit down, 5 min later someone acknowledges you, 5 min after that you get a menu, 10 min later you can order etc etc - I'm sure you get the picture! Everybody is so slow in these places and chilled out - But if you get a South American behind the wheel of a car they think they're bloody Lewis Hamilton!!! The roads are nuts, the drivers are nuts!! and the noise!! I think that passing a test in South america is having the ability to use the horn of your car as many times as possible!! In Ecuador and Peru every single car beeps as it gets to a crossroad or passes a pedestrian - and the cab drivers don't understand that if I want a cab I will hail one - you don't have beep your horn at me!!! I cannot even begin to explain the rules of the road - I think it's just a free for all! Taxis weaving in and out of traffic, no lanes that I can see and basically cars attacking each other from all directions!! Then when there's gridlock they just beep constantly - they can see they can't move but they still all beep!!! - Give it a rest!!!!

But despite all the difficulties - we have managed. Our Spanish is as good today as it was on day one - Non - existent!! - Sorry Lex never bothered to learn anything other than 'uno cervaca por favore.' It's amazing how you can get round with a few Hola's, lots of pointing fingers and loads of gracias'!! Spanish is a stupid language anyway! They talk far too quickly and when you quite clearly cannot understand they just repeat themselves. Jen always looks bemused but I find nodding my head, smiling and looking like I understand at least doesn't make me feel too ignorant!

In spite of its madness the continent is simply packed with great scenery and if you can put up with the dirt, the grime, the poverty and the sheer craziness then I recommend everyone to visit this continent. We have had a great time - we've had some difficult times and moments but overall it has been an unforgettable experience. So on to stage two of our adventure and as I write we simply can't wait to get to Canada - even if it is minus 30!!

Happy Christmas to everyone love to you!!!

And by the way some people are slacking with the messages - let us know how you all are! When we're a bit lonely a message from someone - anyone always gives us a lift and puts a smile on our face. Especially Rob's!