If the Blair Witch Project did lampshades

The descent

The thought of another day in Malargue was enough to force me underground. Putting aside my loathing of potholing I slapped a helmet on and headed into the dark. At least it was a respite from the afternoon heat. Whilst not spectacular the caves were pretty interesting, and not half as scary as the ones I crawled into in south africa.

Argentine cuisine

There doesn't seem to an awful lot of variation in Argentine cuisine. There is steak (which they don't ask how you would like it cooked, it generally arrives medium to well done) and barbecued meat, pasta, pizza (which is not that good) or salad. For pudding there is ice cream (Argentines love their ice cream, there are lots of ice cream parlours). That is pretty much your lot.

Oh, and they don't have many crisp flavours.

Planetarium

I might have missed judged Malargue. A pretty small town, set around one main street. Feels like small town USA, down to the pick ups crawling through town. The planetarium was ok but the commentary was in Spanish so it was a bit of a struggle. Still Arsenal v Villa to look forward to tomorrow.

Blast from the past

I was treated to a right royal 80s medley during dinner. Pass dutchie upon the left hand side, Hey Micky, Come on Eileen, Hall and Oates, Eye of the Tiger, Culture Club and The Clash. No Footloose though, I guess that would have been asking for too much. They love as bit 80s out here.

Little fluffy clouds

I have finished my Spanish course although it was probably more of a cultural exchange. Paula (my teacher) tried to teach me Spanish and I explained the rules of cricket and increased her English vocabulary with words such as "chillax" and "mankini".
She was nearly sick when I showed her a picture of Borat in his mankini.

It feels good to be moving again; I am heading to Malargue for a few days and then onto Bariloche for a week. I am beginning to get an idea of the vast size of the country; and only 40 million people.

Hand of Bob

He would get the hand of Bob if he ran up to me like that.

I asked my Spanish teacher what it says; she got quite embarrassed. Apparently it means "keep sucking it", Maradona's advice to the media when he resigned as the Argentine coach.

They would not let it lie

I am beginning to think that the Argentines are sore losers.

Just like on a stag do I have come to marvel at an empty stadium. Not a patch on the Emirates. Apparently this is where Archie Gemmel scored that wonder goal against holland all those years ago.

Not so fast

The map they gave me in my Spanish lesson was just a little bit controversial. Don't worry I pointed out the error.

Paragliding

Went paragliding this afternoon. There were a couple of eagles riding the thermals but they flew off before we took to the air. The flight was a bit rougher than i expected but still good fun. I took some snaps but on a different camera and haven't worked out how to post them to the blog. I can sense the disappointment.

Lunch

Lomo completo - steak sandwich, ham cheese, lettuce and tomato (I had mine without the egg, would have been yours Carnty). A tasty sandwich.

Admin cock up

Due to my own incompetence I failed to prolong my stay at the hostel and they were fully booked last night. Not a total disaster as I spent the night on the terrace under the stars (and a mosquito net). Probably nicer than the dorms. I might be out there tonight as well.

It couldnt last

Heard Bob Marley for the first time on my travels yesterday. I fear that it won't be the last time. I should probably be grateful for the few days I was Bob free.

Andes

Famous bridge in the Andes. Built by the Spanish and now a national monument. Shame they built it in the wrong place.

I've arrived in Mendoza

The flight to Buenos Aires was fine and I got some kip in. Don't bother watching the film One Day; I wasn't a fan. Horrible Bosses on the other was a winner.

I had to cross town to catch the connecting flight to Mendoza. The process of buying a bus ticket for this journey made me quickly realise that my two Spanish phrases that enable me to:
a) order a beer; or
b) tell a girl that she is beautiful,
may not be enough to see me through my time in South America. I have now booked up a week's course on Spanish. This may prevent South Americans making the effort to learn English but needs must.

I had quite a wait at the domestic airport for my flight to Mendoza, but the edge was taken off this as they were showing a replay of Wigan v Man City. No hope of seeing the cricket though.

London to Mendoza

The trip begins on 16 January, in the year of our Lord 2012. I'm heading to the capital of the Argentinian wine region, Mendoza.