Canada to Patagonia at a Worrying Age

This is fresh – wanted to put it on tonight as I’m still buzzing and can’t sleep. Forgive any mistakes.  (Yes, this is Diego Maradona taunting the opposition fans.  Picture courtesy of Andrew’s fantastic zoom lens.)

Well, the day started in quintessential South American fashion when we managed to be both late and early at the same time. Late because the tour company turned up an hour after they were meant to. As there were still three hours before kick off we thought that lunch would be useful. No chance. Hot-footed it to the ground and took our seats two and three-quarter hours before the match. Two and three-quarter hours before the match. Still, they laid on pre-match entertainment in the form of Boca v River Under-21s. A good game, as it happens, with the result being 4-2 to Boca. It was also the time when the build up was allowed to get going (and it gave Vicky a chance to put on her make-up). Our seats were really high up within abuse-shouting distance of the away fans. And boy did they shout abuse. Just in case we couldn’t understand, they made helpful gesticulations generally involving slashing movements and the gripping of genitals. I don’t see how they could make such comments about my mother without ever having known the lady (especially with today being Mother’s Day).  Maradona appeared in his box and caused the usual kerfuffle.

[read on]

So I left Patagonia and arrived late in the town of Bahia Blanca.  It’s just a place on the way really, so I wasn’t expecting too much.  A Norteamericano was practising his Spanglish when I arrived at the info kiosk so I tried to pick his brains.  He was escaping from what he saw as a dump, but I wasn’t up for an overnight bus journey, so asked if we were near the centre (what with my pack etc.).  Dead close he reckoned so I checked with the nice lady in the kiosk.  She advised a cab which would cost a quid.  Glad I took her advice, but I did say to the cabbie that I wanted a cheap hotel near the centre.  Well, it was certainly cheap and it did have nice staff, but it was yet another pit.  It proudly boasted one star, which I presume it got for having a coffee machine.  My room had a window onto the rubbish chute and the shower spat rust at me.

Out for me dinner – early, it being 10pm.  Stayed in the bar that sold omelette and chips for some very exciting Copa Libertadores football, much better than that ECL rubbish you get over there.  First game saw Sporting Cristal of Peru (one of a handful of teams over here named after beer) take a 3-0 first half away lead to Estudiantes of Argentina.  Second half saw Estudiantes score 4!  Last two looked offside to me, but they were at home.  Second game was Tigres (Mexico) at home to Cali (Colombia).  The usual two goals to the away team were given within 15 minutes, with Tigres drawing level before Cali got a third as half time approached.  It was 4-3 to Tigres within 10 minutes of the restart with a fifth later on, Cali making it 5-4 before the end.  14 goals in two live games.  That’s what you want, not dour one-nillers in passion-free games between teams of mercenaries (although the Bremen/Juventus game was rather entertaining).

Anyway, my pit did the job, in that I actually managed to sleep in it.  Booked a bus (7 hours) to the seaside resort of Mar del Plata for tomorrow and moved into the Hotel Italia for the evening.  Twice the price and ten times the comfort rating.

Also, the Stones’ gig in BA last night led to rioting.  Unbelievable that so many youngsters should be bothered enough to see that crowd.  Jagger looked more than ridiculous prancing around to Jumping Jack Flash…

Good to see some football ‘personalities’ have joined in the fun.  I knew about Wayne’s interest in Gothic architecture, but was unaware of anything existing between Mr Gerrard’s ears.  Just goes to show.

PS – Thanks for the photo comment Aida.  Very nice of you.  Yes, I did take the picture.

...is the Perito Moreno Glacier at the full moon. Most people go in the day and there are a lot of them.  Our van had 3 locals, two Colombians, two French and us.  The driver ... [Continue reading this entry]