The quest for books

Today I decided to give Buenos Aires' extensive public transport system a go. The inner city is massive to say the least and as such it has a very extensive and thoroughly developed bus system and with the very helpful aid of a city website, which asks you where you are and where you want to go, it tells you exactly on which number bus to get on and where to get off (busa.buenosaires.gob.ar). I took the number 56 bus to one of the ferry terminals where on Monday I will be leaving for Uruguay. 

I took the same bus in its reverse route then to the Plaza del Mayo - haloed ground for any 'Coup de ta' enthusiast. Bought myself a street sandwich and went to see the Roman Catholic Cathedral on the plaza. It was beautiful and is still in active use - not just a tourist attraction. I will be attending the 9am mas there on Sunday.

The latter part of my afternoon was spent in search of a bookstore that would be able to sell me english books. Everywhere I went my "¿Tiennes libros en ingles?" was met with a "No" I must've walked at least forever in seach of one and as I was just about to give up I checked one final bookstore and there was one glorious shelf designated as Ingles. A very good ending to a long and arduous search.

Barbeque

Yesterday I went walkabout in Buenos Aires and had a very good time till a bird shat behind my right ear to much amusement of the general onlooking populace. It took two receits and a large portion of my map of the city to wipe it all off.

The rest of the day and indeed the next day (today) was spent reading the only book I brought along with me - flashman and the tiger. The latter part of the day aka after 16h00 when I finished my book, I spent a good lot of time talking to Max of Israel and later his friend Michell, also from israel. They were very suprised and astonished once I explained to them the concept of "loadshedding" in South Africa. They just couldnt phathom that there wasnt enough power for everybody and that whole blocks and even towns in our mighty republic had to be shut down and deprived of power for a few hours a day. As Max puts it - "we're on the verge of sending people to mars, but RSA cannot supply power for everybody.

Right now I'm awaiting the start of a roof top bbq, my prediction is that I will think that I could have done it better once the food is served. They refused my help when I offered yesterday. #theirloss

1385 Av de Mayo

I finally made it onto the South American continent in one piece. The 13h flight was anything but a breeze. I sat next to a brazillian couple (we had a 1h30 layover in Soa Paulo) and the man had a mixture 'maagwerk' and a blocked airways, whiched caused him to make cattish coughs as he clambered over me and stumbled to the bathroom. I hope I do not get ill.

As I landed it dawned on me that Argentina is the sort of country that regards engish as language people of poorer cultural background speaks. Even at the airport the signs are all in spanish. If you happen to have a magnifying glass apon your person you would be able to read the small english print displayed beneath the large Spanish. As soon as you step out of the airport english and indeed afrikaans disappears completely. And you'll have to make your way with sign language or with the little arsenal of spanish you thought you had. 

I have two nights booked at hostel estoril, situated at 1385 av de Mayo It'll most probably be the best value for money for money so close to the city center. So Ill stay here for a couple of nights more. Right now Im off to purchase an Argentinian simcard and have look around. 

Onto the oil fields

Ive just landed in Doha after a very wonky, to say the least, start in Cape Town. It turns out that you not only need a passport and flight ticket to successfully board your plane, but also proof that you will be leaving that country at some stage. Which I of course didnt have. The dad and I, under a veil of presumed calmness, tried to organise a hasty, literally last-minute Argentinian exit whilst a slightly nervous mother presided over the proceedings... This initially involved a ferry ticket from Buenos Aires to Urugauy, but given the slight urgency of the matter, it was only fitting that every ferry booking website was written in spanish/gibberish. We eventually resorted in desperation to a bus booking, which will be cancelled promptly apon arrival in Argintina. 

The flight was a pleasant 9hrs I now have a 9h layover before proceeding to the next stage of the journey. The airport is really large and they take their bum hygiene very seriously, as every bathroom stall has a shower head to assist in helping you take care of that 50-50 chicken lunch and dinner you had on your way to Qatar.

Packing it up

Packing it up

Good evening team. I've just finished packing up my bare essentials that I'll undoubtedly need on my trek through the South American continent. I'll try and keep these posts as informative, entertaining and handy for anybody who has a few spare minutes to read these. I'll be boarding my flight at 12:45pm tomorrow for Doha in Qatar and from there catch a connecting flight to Buenos Aires. If everything goes accoring to schedule I'll arrive at Ministro Pistarini International airport shortly before 21:45 local time

The photo's displayed below might give a hint as to how what I'll look like at anytime during my odyssey. Just add the menacing beard in the 4th photo to each of the previous 3.