Fri 28th Oct 2005

A day sight seeing mainly combined with meeting of'virtual' friend Nik. Spoken on web, and knew he washere, but paths not crossed.

Had some very nice cakes (not that they could match the Freddo Heladosof last night mind) for breakfast after a good nights kip. Best not get used to the luxury we have here though, it'll be a far cry for future reports of that I'm certain.
Popped up to the 'local' - that's the internet café you see, to read some mails and see if Nik wasaround. Sent a message to meet at Law courts as had to recover me card from bank.

Went first to the cemetry - well, you know how it is - and spent time examining the verbous to the plain crazy tombs the well to do erect to their honour – did they really pose for those heroic statues with angels on their shoulders - I don't think so. Eva Peron was the number one crowd puller but my personal favourites were the austere black art deco ones closely followed by the more grand vicoriana with all the angels and sculls and sad angels. Plenty to see and it's much much bigger than Highgate, and more compact and grandiose than Undercliffe. Quite the thing for a morning stroll. Buenos Aires is not so called for the fresh air (certainlt not with the congested and diesel spewing traffic of today) but because of the fair winds that brought the sailers and the trade. This morning was lovely day, but well chilly, in places fleece on, in others sunhat & shades on. The proffesional dog walkers give an air of New York with the pampered pouches being gang walked through the parks. Saw an amazing Hawk Moth on street with a wing span not far off a lolly pop stick - impressive, and a bird like a cross between a Shrike and a Blackbird, quite common.

The Cemetary

Eva Peron’s Grave

Walked down to the court and there was Nik, he'd had a bad night with we assume mosquitoes at the hostel – he also has to suffer the young 'uns coming in at 5am from partying and laying in 'til 1pm - they love their culture the young 'uns.

Went to bank first and suffered the old what card bit before our very friendly helper appeared and we had the same conversation again, followed by her saying they were going to open it and retrieve it there and then. Great people, not surly at all. The card recovered their was enevitable paperwork and the girls were impressed with me speaking my passport number in Spanish - but not as impressed as I was with their helpfulness. Tried card again, in the easier machine, but failed again. I'm going to have to check very carefully my number but otherwise it'll be only Bev that has access to our account :-0

Was great to catch up with Nik and swap tales of getting here. Went off for lunch at the Ideal Café which used to be a High Tea type place for the British community and still holds some of it's charm though it's distinctly shaby shic now. All faded paint, but stillnice lights and fans and a nice ambience.

Café Ideal

We decided to go loacl and have along lunch - it was, two and a half hours !! Great food though, big tuna mayonnaise starter that was piled high and some nice bread and a glass of wine. Mains were crepes / raviolli / Hake dependant on who it was and Nik had flan - good old creme cramel, and I had fruit salad - Bev had coffee. So two and a half hours, couldn't finish all the food and a coffee each to start and we had to pay 80 pesos, or about £!6. Bargain !

Having top compact the day as feeling tired, and so should go to 'local' and mail, then return for beer and bed, last night of luxury !

After lunch we went down to the docks - steady at the back there - to see the 'hasppening' place. As Nik put it, it could be Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool or anywhere really. Bit different, but quite flash, lots of developements and getting chic, but affordable...which we like. Had a great time wandering about before getting back towards town. Lots to mention but frankly I can't be arsed sitting here typing all nightas it's very unsocial.

Subway home in dark. Message from Sandra and Javier to say we're on to book out tomorrow and go to the Moto Hotel and sort ourselves out ready for getting the bike. Javiers father died very suddenly and they've had a right time of it - why they should even consider us just shows the type of people they are. We had to go to a shopo with phone bothes to spek but only cost 11p so not bad. Maybe try phoning home at some point, bit more I suspect. Mobiles of course are as available here as athome...in case you were wondering.

Bought two beers to try tonight, so it's goodnight from her, and it's buenos noches from me !