Hola:

This is our very last day in Buenos Aires. It's still very hot and humid but we are getting used to it. We have had a wonderful time here but now the real travels and adventures begin.

A few things we have learned about Buenos Aires.

The architecture is simply splendid - Many fine examples of beautifully restored buildings.

There are many dogs in B.A. and owners are not required to pick up the shit so lots of shit on the street.

Most of the dogs are male and not fixed which is not a pretty sight on a basset hound, especially an old one. It all has to do with the machismo thing since they can't bear to part with their own they would never think of doing that to their dogs.

People are very trendy and smartly dress but not in an American style (rapper like) - they have a style all their own - no baseball caps and no baggy pants.

People eat very late here just like in Spain. Supper usually starts around 8:30 and people are still eating around 10:00.

B.A. is a very lively, youthful city. It's a pleasant change indeed from dull Summerland where old

prevails.

There are many police on various street corners - just standing, watching, waiting. It seems the

population of B.A. cannot be allowed to go wild and must be watched at all times.

Smoking because of a new law which took effect last October is prohibited in all buildings, restaurants etc... so everybody smokes outside and they never provide ashtrays so there are plenty of buts on the street.

Cartoneros , 6000 of them, descend on B.A. and work all night looking through garbage and sorting the recyclables which they then cart away and sell. They don't make much being at the bottom of the food chain but it's a useful service and they are trying to bring them together in cooperatives. The old tango music is very popular with young people. Many play of the old instruments. There are many antique shops in San Telmo alone, possibly in the 100 range.

I'm not kidding and the stuff is unbelievable. The rich must have sold a lot of their stuff during the era of the banging of casseroles. B.A. is a strange mixture of the laissez-faire and the formal.

You have to pick where you will seat in a cinema even if it's dark and you can't tell where you are going. Meals cost on average about 10 dollars for 2, sometimes a little more depending on how much ber you drink. It is a pretty good bargain. We have really enjoyed our time here. There is much more to say but you're probably getting bored reading all this. It's nice to hear from people we know so don't hesitate to drop us a line or two. Don't know how easy it will be to access computer time from now on particularly when we entered the uncharted territory of Bolivia. We might skip Chili altogether now that we are set on doing the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.

For those interested you can look it up on the web. There are many pictures of the Salar

It's going to be a pretty demanding trip weather wise and altitude wise but It's the trip of a lifetime.

Josiane

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