Adios Argentina

I have said adios to Argentina & to my traveling pals as I prepare for the final stretch on my trip. The last week in Argentina has a bit more luster on it than most other weeks I have lived. First the dramatic landscape change in the northern region towards Iguaza was so striking I still see green. The air was moist, yet not sticky, the dirt was red clay, the white from the rapids and falls, and the trees were these emeralds that soaked in the sun. We watched the sunrise on the bus without a cloud to be found, as the green rays shined back at us letting us know that things would be different for a few days. [See the pix for explanation]

Once we got our fill of the jungle, we returned to our first love of Argentina, Buenos Aires. As fortune would have it, our hostel was smack in the heart of the action -- El Centro, the theatre district to be more exact. It’d be like staying on Broadway with dozens of restaurants, shops, theatres, bars, etc all within a minute walk. For those times we needed to venture even further, our beloved metro was only blocks away (I think we all loved the metro so much because it was so different than the sardine cans we rode in Cusco). Along with the fantastic location, we picked up a third travel partner, Jenny J., who as Janelle’s friend, flew in from San Francisco. Not sure how I got so lucky to travel with three wonderful woman -- must be the beard.

In BA we did it all (except a Tango show) -- the cemetery, La Boca, a futbol match, a drag show, the bars, steak house, lamb/veal/hot dogs (they love them there), the Port, wine, etc. The lifestyle is designed to over indulge; dinner around 10pm, a show & then you go out until 5 or 6 in the morning. We tried our best to be real Argentineans!!! With modesty I must say the food was rich & abundant, the wine was cheap & delicious, the people were friendly, the woman were stunning & had no interest in me, the architecture was remarkable & you just felt think you were in a city where the people were happy. One of our most subtle of experiences were watching these 3 older men (70s+), sit together eating pizza having a beer & chatting at 11am. And although the city & people obviously care about appearance & perception no one came off as pretentious.

So in two week I saw Mendoza, Cordoba, Iguaza & Buenos Aires -- and I wish I had two years to do it again. The ladies headed south to see the rest of the country as I returned to Cusco for the Amazon Jungle (hoping I see a jaguar!!!!) & then Machu Picchu although it wont be on the Inca Trail due to a strike. Nonetheless, coming to Peru to help build schools was a great decision on my part, being able to go to Argentina was my reward.