Free (but pretentious) bar

Getting back to my hostel was a little more time-consuming than first thought... once my hot flight attendant gave me some cash to get home due to lost wallet, I got into the main bus terminal and decided to walk back to the hostel. Hmmm... would have been fine had I not decided to walk down the exact streets several hundred drunken protesters were also walking down. Although I wasn't exactly hassled, I did find it extremely embarrassing to have a whole st of men yelling after me (in Spanish) ¨gorgeous, beautiful, I wanna fuck you, oh my god, mamma mia...¨ and so on... Sometimes I couldn't help but smile but in reality... eek!! I was scared to go out after that.

When I got back, I found my new little crush from the reception of the other hostel, R, had invited me on FB to the opening of a new bar in Palermo which apparently had a free bar until whenever... and I soon ran into the English girls and the Guatemalan, who said they were keen to come as well. So it was sorted. I was going to this party.

I didn't know the directions so R offered to come by Tango City when he finished his shift and explain... at this stage I still had not showered from my return from hot flight attendant's house, so having him meet me was a little daunting but I thought, fuck it. That's the life of a trashbag unfortunately. So we hung about the reception talking shit for a little bit, me not wanting to go cos I liked his company so much, and him not leaving for whatever reason... sigh. Who knows if he likes me. Time will tell.

I met back up with my amigos and we grabbed some cheap Chinese food - OMG I ate so MUCH - and then headed out to this club. It was still relatively early because we wanted the free bar... but of course so did everyone else, so we were stuck at the back of this queue that didn't seem to be moving. We found out that was because the bar wasn't yet open (that doesn't tend to help), so when it turned 11pm we shuffled forward a little.

Still, we had no idea what was happening with guest list or names or anything... I had asked R if we needed to be on the list but he had insisted no... so I was looking confused and at one point, a man asked me who I was with, and when I replied with my friend's name and that I didn't know what was going on, he said ¨follow me¨ and before I knew it, we were in. Don't ask me how, and considering how casual we all were compared to the rest, I still couldn't tell you how I managed to get in.

Anyway, so we were in. Of course the bar was packed, but they also were understaffed and weren't really bothered TBH, and so we managed to get 3 beers for free apiece before they stopped the free bar. And also some nice finger food, and unexpectedly some empanadas. Yum. Not like we needed anymore food after that Chinese meal explosion, but hey, free food is free food. And hence why I am putting on weight here. Sigh.

I was looking all night for my cute little friend but he never appeared, and so at one point - about the same time most people in Argentina tend to leave their houses to go out - we decided to call it a night. After the free drinks, we didn't buy anymore because it was so expensive - like Sydney or London prices - and I will be fucked if I am paying that for a tiny beer. Got to be kidding me. Also, the crowd was beautiful but pretentious and the music shitty house that basically sounds the same song after song for me.

At one point, a guy gave me half a joint and I smoked that until just before the bouncer passed through... but otherwise, we were all pretty sober. When we left, shortly after 2am, it had started raining harder and we were not in the mood for another 8 block walk back to the bus so we grabbed a cab. Probably the nicest cab driver we will ever have in Argentina, we finally got back for the right price and called it a night reasonably early. How very responsible of me. For once.

Fly me to the moon...or your bed

So last night I found myself gyrating amongst tutu-clad go-go dancers and massive, fat drag queens with newfound friends and my old manager from Iguazu. Por que no??

It all started at the pizza party... I got a handful of people to come (much less than last time because most had left after the Easter weekend), mostly English people, and they got on the shots soon after... I knew it would be a big night. I stayed away from the tequila and stuck to beers instead.

Had to wait until just before the bar was closing to leave, a bit annoying since I was helping the barmaid with the job that was essentially hers not mine. As far as I knew, I was helping getting the people to the bar and handing out pizzas... last night I was running around getting drink orders, cleaning tables and washing glasses. Mierda.

Back at the hostel bar, I gathered the troops and we headed to Palermo to Club 69. Gay-friendly. Obviously. We heard there were drag shows there so we were well excited... and the new Canadian women I had befriended kindly paid most of my cover charge and for some drinks. Ahh, to be a poor traveler...

At one point, me and my old manager started a hunt for some special South American treats, and somehow I ended up getting shepherded into a bathroom with a random guy giving us some of it for free. Of course he asked to kiss me for it, and I told him my girlfriend wouldn't be very happy about that (my old manager being gay n all, twas a believable ploy), so he said for us to kiss instead. No problemo there. We snorted, kissed, snorted, kissed, snorted then RAN out the door when he asked if he could play with himself while we kissed. Ahh....NO. Freak.

After that, I was in a pretty darn good mood - good shit - and had a boogie with the others. At one point, I made eyes with a cute English girl and started dancing with her... She asked about 5 mins later if I wanted to go back to hers - no problem - then gave me the impression she wasn't really sure about it, and I didn't wanna deal with indecisiveness so I bailed when she wasn't looking.

Good timing for me, though, since I basically walked into the arms of a hot Argentinian girl and preferred instead to dance with her. Found out she was a flight attendant... this made sense, looking at her beautiful self... mmmm, tidy. Slight problem when the first girl found me and dragged me off, but I managed to escape without offending anyone (I think) and convinced the flight attendant to vamos NOW before my deception was found out.

About half an hour in a cab later, I found myself in a random house having a whale of a time with this gorgeous girl... now I won't kiss n tell BUT she was a fine piece of ass. In the morning her phone rang and her parents told her they were en route... I left shortly after, only to discover my little purse was missing from my bag. Not a worry re money, but I had my iPod Shuffle in there and some favourite jewelry :( Oh well... another night, another lost article. Jodo.

Coffins in the sun

Buenos Aires is home to possibly the worlds biggest cementary... or maybe at least the most elaborate. The final resting place to the citys aristocracy and upper class, it features tombs with mosaiced roofs, stained-glass windows, tiled staircases and marble statues... at a glance.

I went today to see it with my English friends - 2 gap years who havent traveled much but want to get out and see it all, such nice girls who have no idea but are trying at least... reminds me of me those years ago when I started traveling!! - and the Guatemalan D. D has an awesome Nikon so I am going to steal his pics from the day... it was beautiful weather so there are bound to be plenty of good shots.

We found the cementary to be a little creepy, yes because it is a cementary but also because they just have these tombs with the coffins sitting inside. Most of the time you can plainly see them, while some are underground... but others look like they have been just thrown in and not touched since, all sunken and dusty... We even saw a human leg bone in one of the derelict tombs...shudder.

The most important grave for most tourists is that of Eva Perrons family, since it is her final resting place after being sent all around the world by the military when her embalmed body was kidnapped (and rumoured to be sexually abused...gross) when the Perron government was overthrown. All this interesting history I really had no idea about. I am so blissfully ignorant sometimes.

After the cementary, we checked out the museum of modern arts, not too big but that was good because my legs were falling from under me... days out sightseeing really make me tired!! I headed back on my own while the others went to see the Japanese gardens etc, because I needed to work a little on getting people to the Free Pizza Party tonight. Fingers crossed people actually come to this one!!

So I have been thinking about my travel plans and things keep pointing me towards Bolivia so I think I might head there next. But it is a fair distance away so I will probably stop in Cordoba, Rosario, Salta... I have guys I could stay slash sleep with in each city potentially so that is definitely an incentive. And I have made a friend who asked if I wanted to hitchhike to Bolivia and then volunteer at a trekking place... sounds interesting. Maybe not the volunteering as a guide, but I could always ask about horse places instead while I am there!!

Unsuccessful advances

Another day of hard yakka for little miss deLightful yesterday... which involved me walking from hostel to hostel trying to gather troops for the ill-fated Pub Quiz that evening. Problem was, most of the people here for the Easter long weekend had left and some hostels I couldnt find ANYONE to talk to!!

I had my 2 new English friends from my room in on it, and eventually found another guy from Hostel Inn up the road...but that was it really. I walked to the bar next to the Ritz with these 3 and it was dire. Almost too embarrassing. V, the new manager at the Ritz who I also worked with in Iguazu, had her first taste of the Pub Quiz...not sure if it is really gonna continue all that long. I told them it was silly to have something so un-Argentinian instead of some more traditional thing as a drawcard.

But anyway...I had a nice sit in the sun in the nearby plaza - the same one that had tango the other night - with the English girls and after a refreshing glass of vino, headed to Hostel Inn to rustle up these peeps.

At the bar, they instead gave my 3 friends some free tickets to a club and I had some drinks n dinner with my workmates while they tried to stay awake after their flight from England. I knew it wasnt gonna be a massive night, so we ended up just going to the hostel bar upstairs and playing some pool. At least that way I got staff priced beer and a chance to chill with my new Columbian amigovio as well as the other guy I want to sleep with that works there. Man, talk about shitting in my own bed.

After a chilled drink at another bar across the road, I bid the others goodbye and went back to the hostel with the Columbian, where he had found me a private room to chill in until he could come and make fun times with me. I fought off sleep until said event occurred, then tossed n turned waiting for the time I had to leave before the cleaners arrived. Had a weird dream involving chavvy kids, but I think thats cos of the convo I had with the others before I slept...

The walk back to the hostel was a little depressing... I noticed in my semi-zombie state just how dirty this city is and how many unattractive people live in it (an advantage I am sorely missing from Iguazu)... and how shit the action from the night before had actually been. I decided that walk was just a product of misplaced hormones. I love my life. Stop complaining!!

I wanted to go to bed but I knew that morning I was meant to motivate people to join the free walking tour from the hostel. But, as normal, I was told different things by different people, and upon walking into the hostel at 7:30am, the manager said, oh yeah I suppose you can help rustle up people from breakfast. To which I groaned inside and trooped upstairs to wash my hair while people actually came down to breakfast... I was praised for my eagerness and early arrival though - whether or not he knew I hadnt actually gone home was another thing.

Of course none of the few people I talked to wanted to go on the tour, and when my roommates came down they booked the other paid tour so I was able to join them last minute for free. Probably my favourite part about the tour was the guide...hot little skatey dude from BA. Often caught myself staring at him inside of the monument behind, and often forgot my sunnies werent actually obscuring my eyeballs and he could see my probably half-open mouth staring vacantly at him.

We were taken around the various important parts of Buenos Aires... Plaza de Mayo, where a million protests about various shortcomings of Argentina were in progress. Apparently there are always several in action there, as its the point all the influential people work at and gets the most media attention. There is also a protest near the Ritz Hostel that has had people camping in the middle of the main road for 5 months, and just a few days ago saw them move into the middle of the road for more attention, henceforth blocking the traffic through the main street of BA. I swear when you look at most of the protesters, though, they are having a grand old time singing, playing guitar, smoking weed...what a life, eh.

We also went to a memorial museum of Eva Perron, and an 80 year old Perronist got teary telling us about the time he saw Eva speak in the street with millions of supporters waving their hankerchiefs in excitement. It almost made me cry, seeing him still so emotional after all these years...

At one point, the guide asked if I had partied a lot the night before...always slightly offending but it was kinda true I looked like a wreck. I told him I hadnt gotten much sleep but didnt go clubbing, he got the joke and said, SCORE... that was the closest my flirting got to him. At lunch after the tour, I made my intentions clear to the other guide (who was trying to get me to promise he could watch and or join in if he helped me get this guy...eww hideous) and found out the party they were going to. I thought if I saw him that night, he would have been told what I said and could either just go for me, or not, in which case it would be obvious he wasnt interested.

That night came, and I chilled in the hostel bar for a few drinks, waiting for my mate who I had run into at lunch - the same guy from a few nights ago I put half of Columbia up my nose with - but he never showed so I just left with my Guatemalan friend and some Argo guys who worked in the tourism industry doing something I couldnt quite catch but who knew the guys from the hostel. We had a dance but it never really got that full and - and this I guess is the biggest make or break - I didnt see the hot guide anywhere and there was NO ONE else I was attracted to.

Oh, my mate ended up being there waiting for us saying he had slept through when we were meeting at the hostel bar... but that was it. No one good-looking. I just couldnt believe it. So I was out. That was it. Also, aforementioned mate had made a pass at me when we were smoking in a park, and I didnt want him to get the wrong impression if I stayed behind with him and didnt leave with my Guatemalan mate.

The night wasnt a complete success, obviously, but it meant I got home at a reasonable hour and not drunk... we wanted to smoke when we got home but couldnt find any papers, and I was annoyed when I found cute Brazilian barman still on his laptop in the bar playing video games and ignoring my advances. Cunt. Thats the last time I try. Ahh, who am I kidding... I will try again.

Chavvy trains and soggy brains

Trying to sleep after putting half of Columbia up my nose is kinda like trying to milk a rat... not really possible without help but no doubt entertaining to watch. I gave up after a few hours - good effort really - and struck up a conversation with the sweet Columbian (speaking of) chick staying in my room. She was heading out to enjoy the sunshine of the city, so I joined her.

Not speaking much English at all, it was a good chance to practice my Spanish and unbelievably, on our return after 9pm, I had spoken barely 2 sentences in English! Don`t know how she understood me but I could understand her pretty well, I guess Columbian Spanish is easier than Argentinian. I swear I have thrown myself in the deep end with this here.

We walked to some of the key places in the city, hung about the posh marina area (not TOO long, we are on a budget here) and then headed to the main bus terminal to see about some buses to this place she heard of about an hour out of town. Not knowing the name or how to get there, we kinda blindly walked about for a short time before finding out it was only a local train we caught to get there, and the place was called Tigre.

1.25 pesos later and we were on board with what I can only imagine is the Argentinian version of a chav/bogan, heading to the end of the line. We were told, again, to keep hold of our bags in this area and my paranoia returned. I am already scared of walking this city alone, dammit!! But it turned out to be OK, the town was on one side and a canal river on the other... full of people running with their dogs and children playing in playgrounds. Did not feel like we were still in BA, kinda reminded me of a resort town in Australia or something.

We ate a delicious beer with some ice cold beer...mmm...and then headed back to the city. The train ride back was a little more chav-infested than before, and I was a little scared at who was gonna board at each station. Although I did see cops often on the station so I guess they`re well aware of its dangers. A blind man came on and sang a couple of really nice songs with his guitar, and we tipped him. Much better than most of the people I have heard busking with sight!!

All in all, it turned out to be a lovely day and I had only minor moments of tiredness. That`s what you get for doing stupidly big amounts of that shit. I have honestly never seen people take that much in one go. I guess it doesn`t matter when it`s so cheap. I hope I see those boys again. And the smoking hot chick. Mmm.

We talked momentarily about going to see some tango, it being my friend`s last night here, but when we got to the hostel I came out from washing my gross hair and she was already asleep. Bless her cotton socks. I took a note from her book and also sorted my shit out and slept. Gotta take it easy if I am gonna come out of this place alive.

Have been talking to some mates from Iguazu re going for a visit in Uruguay, which is a hop skip from here, so maybe that will happen. But at the moment, I am thinking I will leave before a month. Not sure it`s my thing here for too long. Although I need to figure out my money situation... Maybe head to Bariloche or el Bolsen in Patagonia...who knows. But hey, tomorrow is another day...

Dancing in the street

So after my epic Tequila-induced, casi-coma evening, I firmly swore to myself I wouldn´t go out again. I did have to actually get out of the hostel though, and get some air, because I was feeling a little claustrophobic in the downstairs bar and I didn´t need any help wanting to throw up again.

I wandered around the beautiful Sunday markets around the corner, seeing so many things I wanted to buy... jewelry, handicrafts, clothes... but sternly telling myself I did not need any of it. In truth, I will just go back next week and get it all.

I made friends with a stall owner who made jewelry, but he had such a hard accent and I only half understand that he wanted me to go somewhere the next day to show me something. I gave him my email anyway, he seemed like a nice guy...

At one point, I felt someone following me so I just stayed in the main area so I was always around people, and eventually ran into an American guest from Tango City. Was good to have a friend! We walked around and saw some awesome street music, similar to the blocos during Carnaval where people just start dancing in the street and banging on drums and yelling out random things. Brilliant!! I would have been right in there if I´d had an ounce of energy left in me.

Then we went back to the hostel, I changed rooms to a dorm - thank GOD, no more dirty carpet making me sneeze and giving me hair bugs - and I joined some other friends from England to the plaza down the road. They have tango there each night, but not professional, just for random locals who want to have a dance. So many people here know tango, it´s brilliant. It was lovely just to sit and watch... a guy asked if I wanted to do it, but I wasn´t game enuf. If you don´t know those steps... no, not a good idea.

There I met some guys from BA, and they joined us all for a drink then we went to a bar nearby. Most of the guests left and eventually it was just me and the BA guys, and a smoking hot local chick. I mentioned the word ¨coke¨ and that was the opening for a massive night on the rack... those guys certainly didn´t need any convincing...

Before I knew it, it was 8:30am and I was walking back into the hostel in basically my PJs, considering that I had not thought I was going out at all when I left for the plaza. Oops, I did it again.

Tequila is the devil

Never drinking tequila again. Especially not 3 shots in a row.

It all began in the hostel bar... my workmates had promised me tonight was gonna be big so I had not had a big one the night before. After waking up again in the afternoon, I wandered down to the hostel bar and started drinking 2x1 happy hour drinks, except not really paying anything...gotta luv the cute barman... And before I knew it, I was getting shuffled out of there and into a cab to the Roxy.

So my memories of the Roxy were far n few between... I know I got the number of a cute bar chick but promptly lost it...and had a dance. But don´t remember seeing anyone that said they saw me the next day... ahh such is life.

All was good, I had a good boogie with my new workmate from Bulgaria who is married but on a night out - PS when an Eastern European says I WANNA GET DRUNK, please believe them - and first stop was to the bar for some shots. Even the next day, I firmly believed I had just 1 shot but I am told it was 3... which is probably why am told I kissed the Bulgarian chick and I somehow ended up half in, half out of a taxi passed out with 4 Argentinian guys - including the ambulance guy - trying to wake me up.

I was out of it. I mean, seriously, out of it. Not been that bad for quite some time. I had already thrown up - possibly why I had taken myself out of the club, or maybe a bouncer took me out after I apparently fell over in front of everyone... and had to hold people to support my own weight, shocking... - but anyway, I was in this cab and they were trying to get where I was staying out of me. Seeing as I could hardly speak English, speaking Spanish was out of the question...

Eventually I wrote or said the right address, and was about to get ferried off when I saw they¨d had the meter running the whole time they were trying to talk to me. Hmmm. I may be absolutely hammered but I ain¨t that stupid. So they zeroed it and I got home paying about what I should have paid.

Of course, waking up the next day was a little more difficult than normal - and I found fucking bugs in my hair from the dirty carpet in there GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS - but eventually I got up, showered and clambered downstairs to make - shock surprise - more pasta. I am eating way too much pasta and cheese here. Fatty fatty boombala.

So I can´t really remember what I did that day, but I don´t think it was much, considering I actually got out of bed at 4:30...but I know I woke up without my camera. Sigh. Not even a week that one lasted. At least I downloaded some pics of Iguazu but I lost a bunch of some people that I worked with there... bit sad about that. Now I have to put in another claim and just wait til they decided they can´t cover me anymore cos I am just useless. I wonder if there is a section in the terms n conditions about being a useless trashbag. I have found a website where I can buy it again for just as cheap so hopefully I do get the money.

Never shop stoned

Last night was the first time I ventured out on the town in Buenos Aires, principally to meet the guest I had been fond of in Iguazu who lives nearby here. First, though, I chilled at the hostel mainly with F, the cute Brazilian bartender. Woke up in the arvo, had a smoke and then proceeded to take 3x longer to do everything else that day. F faffs around like an old nana, I was WORSE in that state. We went to the supermarket and they found me drooling in the sweets aisle with a basket full of biscuits, chips and chocolate, just staring at the shelves. Useless.

Once I was pulled out of the shop, we went back to the hostel to cook and chill out some more. I stayed in the bar for hours longer, making friend after friend as they filed in to get some cheaper drinks before hitting the town. At one point I got myself looking respectable and came down to 2-cabfuls of guests wanting to join me for the night. I was organising via Facebook what to do, not really knowing anything myself to be honest (considering I had been here just one night) but already clearly doing my job well. haha...listen to me.

The bar in Palermo Soho was small, as expected, but packed full. And mostly of locals, which was good. Except that we stuck out even more because of this. I danced mostly with a newly formed couple - the guy from Australia and the girl Canadian - the latter I found to be smoking hot in a tight little dress she bought from a local shop. Speaking of local shops, there is an awesome little boutique around the corner which I really like, and I am dying to get some shoes there. I will need some new heels soon, I am completely wearing out my fave brogues. But it will have to be a bday pressie from mum or dad, no way I am splashing out on those puppies on my budget!! The tattoo was bad enuf!

Anyway, so back to the bar... I had a good boogie with my newfound friends as also found my BA mate, who is cute but got a bit annoying when he saw me kissing the hot Canadian (oh yeah - forgot to mention how that came about... well, we were dancing and she was hot, and I told her so, and soon after she admitted she had a girl crush on me and well, the rest is history), and being Argentinian, he came over and wanted a piece of the action, not realising that she was not interested because she was already with the Australian guy. So that kinda turned me off him.

Soon after, we made a hasty retreat out of the club in search of more special South American party treats. No luck had, even with asking random cabbies (the last time they scored it was from an old cab driver), we eventually folded and got a cab back (a pity since I know it could have turned into a crazy little party in my office room with those 2...). I felt I had spent a lot of money, but I know I didn`t do too badly, considering I didn`t pay much for drinks at the hostel before and it was mainly just cover charge at the club, a couple of drinks and the taxis I had to pay for. I have a feeling that will be my main expenditure here... fuck nutritious meals and tourist attractions.

No, I am meant to get up early tomorrow to organise all the people who want the walking tour of BA from all 3 hostels so I think I will join that, depending on my head. It will be good to see everything with a guide and also to know where things are, should people ask me. I also am going to ask about the staff discount for the tango show/dinner/open bar activity they sell here. An Aussie couple wants to go tomorrow night, so that could be entertaining. But only if it`s free or very cheap!

I am still trying to learn Spanish but so many people here talk English sometimes it`s hard. I was conversing with the cab driver last night, in a way, so that shows progress I guess. And at times I was the translator with some girls in the club and the guys I was with... but some people here are just impossible to understand!! Necesito practicar mas...

Night 1 in BA: A taste of Columbia

The Columbian. My first taste of the country and it was every bit as gloriously passionate as I had wanted it to be. The poor boy - and I say boy because he looks about 18 but is actually 24 - is still in love with his ex-gf of 3 years who lives in Spain or somewhere, but refuses to admit it...and is trying desperately to get over her by finding someone else to love. Why he thought I would be that person, god only knows.

I had my first ¨shift¨ last night, which involved ferrying the guests from all 3 connected hostels to the hostel bar next to the Ritz for free pizza. Basically just a rouse to get them drinking at their expensive - although very nice - bar, I was also responsible for telling them the pizza was only for those who had bought a drink. Hmm. That part I didnt do...

At the bar, I met some more of my future workmates including the Columbian, funnily enuf the same friend of L who I worked with in Iguazu...and who I mentioned ¨the Columbian¨ to as a side comment. Dammit, not doing so good on destroying that ¨little whore¨ nickname she gave me haha...

It was fun, I did get lost on the way from hostel to hostel but time will heal those wounds. And met some more people, so that was good. When the bar closed, me and the Columbian went up to the rooftop of the hostel - reserved for staff members only - and it was a beautiful view of the city. The Columbian was all over me, but I was honestly more concerned with the view. I love a good rooftop.

Disappointing attempts to horizontal dance - I think mainly due to aforementioned love and possibly too much weed - and we were heading back to Tango City, me unsure whether he was coming in with me or just walking me back safely. After he had a little tantrum about god knows what...crazy Columbian, we walked in - together - and I saw the night shift guy was one of the people I lived with in Igauzu, although the only one I never really met properly. So we recognised each other but I dont know if either one knew the others name! But thats good I know another person here.

We played some pool, I flirted with the Brazilian barman inconspicuously - probably not though - and then me and the Columbian went to my office slash room. I think I said something that offended him cos he left and I woke up alone. Not entirely a bad thing, considering the afteraffects of me shagging someone the first night on the job, and I wanted my single bed to myself thanks very much! Plenty of time to right my wrongs with him anyway... not that I want this to be a repeatedly disappointing event. Urgh. Next!

Tonight I am preparing - after a MASSIVE but needed sleep-in - for a night on the town with one of the guests from Iguazu, cant wait as it will be one with the locals and my first biggie in the city renowned for its party scene. I am expected to completely spend too much, as I already felt I was doing yesterday, but hey, when in BA... if it all gets too much, I am outta here anyway. No problemo.

Getting to know my new hood

After my good fortune with the job situation, I had yet more blessings in that I walked past a cafe near my hostel to find a man jump out and invite me inside...not as dodgy as it sounds, he was the husband of a Spanish couple I met while working at Iguazu. It was nice to sit and talk bad Spanish with people I could understand much easier than those in Argentina. Aye aye aye!! Makes me wanna go to Spain that much more next year... AND the fact I am told Granada has mucho cavallos. Google translate that one if you wish.

So T who works at reception has been super nice to me, she is actually Bulgarian but is married to an Argentine so speaks fluent Spanish and English. I asked her to speak to me in Spanish so I can practice. But she showed me the other hostels, introduced me to people and helped explain what I couldn`t understand. Although the main boss guy has now folded and will actually talk to me slower so I can understand him pretty much now. It`s all about knowing the context...

I was taken through the different areas of the streets nearby, which is the San Telmo area, and told about "the Mexican street" I will most probably get gang raped on, the nice restaurant st where I can get good but expensive food, the main rd, the touristy areas... sabe sabe. Bueno.

So if the reactions of men on the street are anything to go by for the action I may get from BA men here, I am in for a good time. So much for me blending in here... I have seen not one girl with white skin, dreds and blue eyes. Ho hum. Guess I will just have to be that sore thumb for another chapter. Like I will hate that at all.

So I know a little more about my job here... so far, for the first week (or until they find somewhere to put me), my job will consist of ferrying people from hostel to hostel when they have free social events like tonight`s pizza party, encouraging them to drink and spend money basically, gather people for the walking tours (and go on them myself at first I guess!) as well as selling tickets for the bars (which I will now get into for free - BOOM). Still know nothing about pay, but I guess I will ask after a week, when I am absolutely broke.

I have also already gotten in touch with some mates from BA to party this weekend...oh, this Easter this bunny is gonna come a-knockin` on my door with a basketful of eggs. Gotta get that boom boom BOOM!

Hola Buenos Aires and my new job :)

Buenos Aires. I arrived not 17, but 19 hours after leaving Iguazu due to stormy weather on the way. But to tell the truth, I didn`t even notice the 2-hour delay. The bus was LUSH, the best I have ever been on... and after some initial confusion about which class I actually booked myself on, I found out it was the best one available. Muy bien.

I had woken up in Iguazu again at new work boy`s house, after another lovely night in his brown, sculpted arms... ahem, now where was I... so I finally got to the bus station to book my ticket - all chuffed I got the special promotional discount - then after at Hostel Inn was told I could have bought the better class for about the same amount and a later time, I was momentarily pissed off but got over it about a minute later when I remembered I was meant to be soaking up the poolside sun and chilling for the last time with my amigos...

That box ticked, I then had a stressful moment running around for a taxi last minute but made it to the terminal in good time. N even came with me from the ride, helping me with my bags - sweetheart - and I had a sad goodbye before settling into the amazing, fully reclinable seat that was to be my bed for the next evening.

One dinner, breakfast, glass of champers, glass of red wine and about 4 movies later, I was well rested and well fed. Ready to tackle the world. Well, minus my sore muscles... and the creepy men staring at me from across the corridor.

In an overcast and slightly chilly BA, I headed straight to the Ritz Hotel/Hostel to talk with the head guy and the new manager (who happens to be a chick from Iguazu I worked with) about work. They told me all 3 hostels that Hostel Inn own in BA were fully booked because of the Easter Long Weekend but they would "find me a place"...the place that ended up being at Tango City hostel in the office, currently not in use I found out because of recent flooding. Oh dear.

The people I have met from here so far seem to be nice... but they always do at the beginning don`t they... and I am liking the fact I haven`t heard one David Guetta or BEPs song since I walked in the door. In fact, it has mostly been hard rock so that can only be good.

My job, I am told so far, is to promote people socialising in the evening, going to the hostels` joint events and encourage them to go out. I heard the last girl that did it was shit and also was probably not paid, just given board, so I am not sure how long I would want to do it for... although it does kinda sound like my perfect gig.

Am about to talk more with the manager here, and tomorrow with the head guy, so hopefully will find something to do that gets me MUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAA....that`s what it`s all about in the end. And partying.

I´ll miss this place

OK, my final post before I go to the pool and then home to get my shit and leeeeeeeeeeeaave for Buenos Aires. Finally. This place just sucks you in.

So I will miss lots of people from here, knowing that most (if not all) I will never see again because they will not come to Australia and I don´t think Iguazu will be on the tour trail next time I come to South America. Ho hum. And Cuba Libre. I will miss that place. What a gloriously attractive hell hole that turned out to be.

Things I won´t miss...the repetitive music, THE BLACK EYED PEAS AND DAVID GUETTA, the bad management, the insects, the super-religious but hot guys I can steal from Jesus, the red dirt ALWAYS all over my feet, not being able to understand everything they are saying in Spanish, feeling like a stupid fool for not being about to add 16 and 8 at the bar...

Sigh. And my current chapter draws to a close.

My workplace in Iguazu, Argentina

Not a bad hostel at all..........

Guest/staff = perfect combo

OK, so I was meant to leave yesterday. But I didn´t. Here they would call that "pajedo" - lazy - but it is entirely true. After waking up next to hot new boy from work and trying a couple of times to unsuccessfully leave his room (with an untimely entrance from an ex-girlfriend halfway through an inappropriate scene), I strolled to the bus stop and headed back to my house. There I hung out with L and A, the latter who had an ambulance called on her after she called in sick to work. Turns out she just slept in and couldn´t be assed to go in. Too funny.

Me and L fully planned on going to the centre to get my bus ticket for that evening, I even packed my bags (mostly) and washed my hair (efffffort), but then we had a smoke and all hope dissolved swiftly into the cloud of smoke that hung around us. Que paja.

We ended up actually making it to the hostel pool, after a massive stoner trek 2 blocks to the minimercado store for some lunch, and hung about with J who again was staying here another night. Had a good laugh about that together. I got the rest of my pay, much more than I was hoping for, so that put a smile on my face. And no deductions for house cleaning or bar till corrections. Woot!

It was so much fun not working, me and J said we felt like guests there except with staff prices haha... played some ball in the pool, I flailed about trying not to get my new tattoo wet (ahh, mi nuca!!) and tried to bargain with the cooks to give us free food on our days off. Because technically I was on my franco (day off) but had also quit. Also not successful.

Had a quiet word with new boy and it was on again for tonight. He had kept his promise to clean his sheets so bada boom bada bang... come 11pm and we were outta there. Albeit a little obviously, given several of us shared the bus and I didn´t get off with the rest at my house. Ahh, I am having "final night drinks" in town as E looked awkwardly out the window... ahh fuck it, I´m leaving anyway.

I WILL leave tomorrow.

Hello to the new, goodbye to the old...

I have a new camera. About friggin time I say. It involved illegal border crossings - as I technically needed a visa as an Australian to enter Paraguay - but this proved to be no problem. After a bus ride into Brazil and through to the Paraguaian border, we hopped off and walked the rest of the way. So I just joined in a group of other South American-looking people and tried my hardest not to look Australian as we crossed countries halfawy across the bridge (well, there`s nothing much I can do about that really, but I tried).

We had P from Hostel Inn with us - fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English - so that helped a little with the bargaining. After the non-eventful border crossing (literally, "border control" is just a shed with a bunch of non-manned posts and some lazy-looking policeman standing around talking underneath), we dodged through the crazy traffic to the shopping centres parading electronics everywhere. My poor, flip-flop clad feet have never felt so exposed in my life. Ahh, watch that tyre mister!!

J was in a shit mood because he`d been charged 300 pesos to get OUT of Argentina, as he over-stayed his visa waiting for a replacement passport for the one that had been stolen (shit situation) in Buenos Aires. And I was getting annoyed asking the same question about cameras and getting basically the same answer from everyone. Eventually I settled on one, a Kodak which seemed to have some good features (including panorama - like a CHILD I am so excited!!) but of course as soon as I bought it, the next shop offered a cheaper price. Pelotudos.

It´s basically the same price in Oz but I don´t care, I have a new camera and I wasn´t thrown in the slammer for defying visa laws. Had a moment crossing back into Argentina where I thought I would be held for being Israeli (I swear, how does "Australia" sound like Israel??) but otherwise all was good. And I have a new camera. Oh how good that feels.

Got to work with perfect timing and proceeded to do fuck all all day... took some pretty sweet panoramic pictures with my new feature-packed camera though. Like children, we were well amused with the fact we could take a 3-photo panoramic with the same person in each shot, like they were 3 places at once. Wow! Amazing. Technology these days.

At work, the new guy continued to make eyes at me and once I hit full frontal flirting mode I knew I was in. Dang, he be a fine piece of ass. Spent 10 years in America too, so could speak perfect English (albeit with a kinda funny Mexican twang). Used to be in some East Side gang, though, so I guess it is a good thing I am only staying a short time here. Can tell I could possibly get tangled into a mess I didn´t need there...

The boss told me she actually did ring the hostel in BA and ask about work for me, and the boss down there said to just come by and speak to him when I get into town. Sweetness in a jar. So I haven´t booked anywhere to stay, just hoping he says yes and I can just stay there. Heard the new manager is actually a girl from here, so hopefully that will also help my chances.

So back to the new boy. A few fair of the crew came back to the hostel after work to drink with me and J, who was also still here after meaning to leave the day before, and after a fumar especial, they left and I scooted off with the new boy to firstly walk then get a cab (at my insistence haha...I´m wicked and I´m laaaaaazy). So cute, the hostel dog - who now comes to her name Freida and loves me lots - tried to hobble along on her 3 good legs after us. My heart melts.

Good times lay ahead of me at new boy´s casa... finally, a private room!!!

Sunday sun

Awake and ready for my last Sunday, and surprisingly not hungover after last night`s efforts. A glorious day, I set out to the hostel early with housemates L and F and of course had a great start to the day in the pool with some Spanish party toooooons on the portable speakers and a helluva lot of sun. The best days always arrive last don`t they...

Ahh, just caught the new guy looking at me again. Score.

Anyway, back to blogging. The day was alright, still no word re work in BA but I have decided to call the damn places myself if nothing happens. Taking action! I am starting to get sad at not seeing some of these guys again, some I`m not too bothered about but I have made some good friends here. Sigh. Always the same for this gypsy girl.

I called it a night early because I made plans to go to Paraguay early the next morning (finally) and also I was still a little cansada from the night before. Nothing else particularly surprising happened so I guess that´s a wrap for this day. Counting down the minutes until BA...

It`s my farewell and I`ll kiss everyone if I want to!!

Cuba Libre. The last hurrah.

It began the only way a final shout should have... with the owner recognising us from across the road and coming over to shuffle us in the VIP entrance no problems. Class. From there, it was a little downhill. haha... te estoy jodiendo... We had drunk a bunch of beers at the hostel before so we were in high spirits, and the drinks kept flowing. But, as Argentinians do, it was always 1 drink passed around to the group. So strange the way they do that. But it`s cool.

I wore my special (and only) going-out dress, a newbie for these parts that I have so far restrained myself from using for this sole reason. Makeup was piled on, hair strung up high and high heels applied to feet. I was ready. Hot mama coming, you`d better fucking make way ;)

It was the first time I had been to CL on a Saturday, and as I expected, all 6 rooms were open and they ended up being packed. Much dancing was done, massive shape were thrown, the camera was out all night (not mine of course, STILL am without - TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW) and I was in fine form.

At one point I found myself dancing with a tall, hot black Brazilian guy but fobbed him off for mi amigos. Tonight is about having fun with my friends, I told myself. But he kept finding me and taking me from the group...ahh life. I tore myself away though, and kept dancing with the others from work. But I kept to my promise - I did dance with my workmates but then I just kissed them haha

Oops.

Mostly out of sight of the others, I was Sir Sneak-a-lot and when I had the chance, I chose my prey and dived in. Haha... putita (little whore, my new nickname here). One guy I am so so about, he is cute but a little odd... going to Buenos Aires too, so I have another amigo. Annoyingly, though, yet another friend but still no couch. I am going to ring the damn hostels myself if the boss doesn`t by Tuesday. Useless.

We got home after 6 and by then I was getting unexpectedly touchy-feely with one of my workmates who I had considered hooking up with before but never done anything about... anyway I kept that hush hush too but decided to go for it, since he had an hour before starting the morning shift at work. What a shit that would`ve been. But then I remembered, as of that day, he now has a roommate and that would not have been cool. However, as a guy, he said he could just wake him up and make him leaev - no way!! Super slack. And the poor guy continues to not get any from ze ladies so it would be a major kick in the teeth for him. Also, I could take or leave it, to be honest.

Sleep time.

The final Cuba Libre...bring it on

So that random bubble of excitement about Buenos Aires kinda burst today when I found out my cute tattooist doesn`t get back to BA for another 2.5 months... boo. Maybe I will find him on the trail somewhere between now n then, but for now he can`t leave his travel buddies so I have no place to crash and no warm, tattooed body to cuddle up to each night. Will have to find someone else. What an effort.

I woke up today sin resaca as I had appropriately ended my Cuba Libre evening by myself, not wanting to completely ruin myself for tonight`s final party. Got up on the pole again and built on the half-gone bruise from the week before, adding a nice sky blue tint to the oddly shaped now pretty much birthmark. On both arms. What a massive trashbag. But what a story to tell eh.

I kissed 2 more boys of barely 20 (again), one of which is a guest here... oops. The first was cuter and a better dancer so I`m not quite sure why I ended up spending more time with the second but I did. Guess we were stuck together watching the random fashion show/excuse to parade hot girls around in underwear/dance show and that was that.

The club played much better reggaeton-esque music to dance to after the fashion show (which also featured one of the hottest Argo guys I have ever seen...and he knew it, no wonder he didn`t cast me a glance when I checked him out in the club before I found out he was a model. I had a dance then wanted to find the other guy to dance with, so made my "toilet" exit, found the other guy (whose friends were annoyed at me doubling up on their friend, although the friend didn`t care) and then decided it was time to bail. I felt I was sobering up anyway...

Found the first guy outside the club with his mates and hung with them for a couple of minutes before their juvenile behaviour got the better of them and I was OUT, yelling "niños" (children) over my shoulder as I jumped into a cab. Fuck that for a joke.

So tonight we are heading to CL again, the last time for me and J. A fair few of the staff have said they are coming, so hopefully that happens. Two of my favourite boys won`t come cos of lack of funds and probably Jesus. Ahh well, am looking forward to a good boogie and not a night of pick-ups (for once), a fitting farewell for my time here. And dammit if they don`t play some reggaeton!!

Random excitement blog

So there is a computer free and I am excited so I think I will tell the world about it. I am now counting down the minutes until Buenos Aires, because I have FB befriended aforementioned tattooist and already spoken with him on chat. He is def still keen and I will for sure have a place to stay, but even if not I will stay at a hostel for free (hopefully) through connections here... and if all goes even better I will have a job at one of them, or doing something else in BA!

And if I am friends with tattoo man, I have a good connection for the good parties in BA and all "tattoos on tap", if you may. I want him to design my thigh burlesque dancer tattoo... sorry mum and dad, but I am coming home a patchwork quilt. I haven`t even started on my new piercings yet... haha

This whole situation - should it come together - is just so funny, because I thought, as a fantasy, I would come to South America and meet a cute tattooist and have a short affair with him... never thinking it would come to fruition. But there you go. Life deals me another ace. Thank you higher power, whoever you are. Next round´s on me :)

Also, can I just mention how many dogs there are in my neighbourhood. But I asked and it seems most of them aren`t strays, they have houses, they just roam the streets and protect their corners, and occasionally fuck each other. None of them are neutered, of course. So there are a million little short-legged, long-bodied bastards running around like only mixed breed, quasi-homeless dogs can. There is also a couple that live (as a couple) at the hostel. But they are soooo lovely. I have named them Ricardo (the King) and Freida. The other street dogs are nice too. They all respect humans, but are really protective of their territory with other dogs. Kinda remind me of the people here. Which is so often the case with animals and where they live.

A tattoo, sealed with a kiss...

Considering how shit my day started off yesterday, it surprises even me how my life managed to sort itself out by the time I landed in my bed. Firstly, I had been promised by my English workmate J that we would meet at the bus station for a trip to Paraguay... but as I left the hostel the night before he wasn`t fully committed so I knew it would be a case of me ringing him and waking him up.

About 10 phonecalls later, I gave up, rolled over and fell back asleep the next morning. Pissed off but mostly disappointed, I stormed into work and found the sympathy of my workmates very welcoming... but once J came in, he explained he had been waiting for ages at the bus stop and circling my house waiting for me BUT had not taken his phone. Silly boys. Don`t know what they`re thinking most of the time. So we (metaphorically) kissed n made up, and I made other plans to go to Paraguay another time.

After the mishap of the morning, I was left thinking about the reason behind me not going to Paraguay AGAIN and there she was. A cute little Buenos Aires-born lass covered in tattoos and piercings, who I had met the night earlier during work. We got chatting and before I knew it, she had messaged her tattooist friend and he was due to arrive at the hostel at 9 to design me a new tattoo for my neck.

Fast forward to the end of my shift, and I am talking bad Spanish to a cute tattooist while the heavens opened and an unexpected tropical downpour drove everyone inside. This was after several blackouts during dinner and consequently mild chaos in the hostel lobby. At one point I was following around cute little F (cute but he wants to be a priest - seriously, what`s up with this place!!) with a fluro light as he gave out pizza to the guests. Was pretty funny though.

So we went to the staff dorm to do the tattoo, I chose a simple design of a "J" with some stars and once he`d prepared everything safe n securely (new needle and all, bueno), I was sat down and drawn on for 5 minutes. It hardly hurt at all and was all over so quick I couldn`t believe it. He said if I liked it I should give him a kiss... to be honest, I would`ve done THAT either way but anyway.

It cost just $15 and not only did I score a cool tattoo on the back of my neck, but a new friend in my soon-to-be new home, as well as a place to crash. Hmmm, stay with a hot tattooist in one of the biggest party towns in the world? DON`T MIND IF I DO! Boom.

Iguazu Falls take 2: The Gratis Tour

Yesterday I had an awesome day off at the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls with L, a girl who just arrived from Buenos Aires to work at Hostel Inn. She had a camera, bueno, so we got some great shots of us being really hot models and quasi-tarts (OK, that was just me) at various lookouts and on some tree branches. Luckily, I had chosen my shortest black dress again so I was appropriately attired for such behaviour.

We went on the Gran Adventura, completely free thanks to our connections at Hostel Inn (there is SOMETHING good about working here, fucking pelotudos) and all I had to pay was the entrance to the park which I also managed to get at a discount because L bought 2 tickets as "locals" which are 40 pesos compared to 100 for us "aliens". Sweetness in a jar.

First we went on the train to Garganta del Diablo (The Devil´s Throat) which I never made it to the last time I went to the falls... but it is the most spectacular view of the falls. Just breathtaking. I almost couldn´t take it all in. The water had such force you couldn´t see where it landed at the bottom, just that it cascaded into a misty, white foam so deceivingly beautiful you almost wanted to jump in there amongst it all.

We then headed to the butterfly-swamped pick-up point of the Ecological Tour, the slow ride people take that don´t want to be in amongst the fury of the rapids. It was nice and relaxing, except that we were all just perched on the sides of a rubber dinghy basically, with a rubber floor you could feel the rocks through. Even though we were told the water was just 70cm at some points, I still wasn´t comfortable casually sitting about 10ft from some crocodile-like creature and her 40-odd eggs.

Next stop - after walking the top circuit of the falls and more ridiculous poses - was the Jeep Safari ride into the jungle and then to the edge of the water. After having just 4 hours sleep the night before, I found myself nodding off as the guide rambled through facts about the flora and fauna around us. L couldn´t stop giggling. But since all we saw was a friggin spider (that also lives in Australia), I know I didn´t miss much. I want monkeys, dammit!

The speedboat ride was nice, a longer version than that I have already done but still had the same ending as the one those people died in a couple of weeks ago. Strangely enuf, though, I still wasn´t scared doing it, as much as I thought I would be. It was really fun but again we got absolutely soaked, and it had us worried we´d be cold as the day wasn´t exactly pure sunshine.

All was good, however, and it turns out the only thing we had to worry about was the friggin coates (racoon-like animals), who started after me in a group of about 20 once they saw I was eating cookies. I can work with camels and horses no dramas, but fuck me dead these critters scared the shit outta me!!

After a drying-out spell in the sun, we headed back to the house with the idea in our heads to make our own empanadas (a common food here that is basically a small pastie). Of course, being Argentinian it didn´t end up happening until late that evening and 3 hours later we found ourselves stuffing our faces with empanada at about 1:30am. Funnily enuf, though, it turns out I was the best at making the things! Foreigner wins! But twas a fittingly great ending to the best day off I will have here.

I hope I woke the prick up

So after my little work-related rant the other night, I did indeed proceed to distract my anger by seducing the cute French boy Couchsurfing with my workmate P. He was quite the little pocket rocket, literally the same height as me with quite small hands and feet, so I wasn´t really expecting much.

But, as looks are so often deceiving, I was proven wrong once I snaked the room key from my workmate J and we bounded towards the spare beds in the staff dorm at the hostel. Fun was had indeed and when we returned the group had moved across the road for some fumar especial.

I was still fuming inside about management, one guy in particular who got especially cunty about me buying staff-priced drinks for other people (most of whom were also staff), but ONLY for me, not anyone else cos I had messed up that price earlier in the day... needless to say, I had no interest in ever speaking to the prick again.

We all moved to the staff house for some more fumar especial and some drinks, all in sprightly moods cos I had my French boy, randomly the French friend he was traveling with had hooked up with my roommate F (who is super sweet but looks about 12) and gay P was having a laugh with L - the latter a little annoyed they weren´t getting any from anyone...haha

When we were back at the house, I pulled Frenchie into the room for a little more rumble n tumble, fully realising my room was next to aforementioned cockmuncher. I didn´t try to be quiet but I wasn´t super loud, just enough to hopefully leave him lying in bed - ALONE - listening to us having a good time and wondering at what point his life led him to live in a house full of young, vibrant, funloving hostel workers while he watched movies on his laptop in his single bed - ALONE - every night.

Good times.

Shittest work day ever

Today was the shittest day I have had at work. Bar none. Shit went down with some overpriced sunscreen ($68 pesos, seriously that is like 12 pounds!) and I got the shit for it... then they were watching me like hawks. Seriously bullshit and I am COUNTING the days til I leave. No amount of glorious sunshine is gonna fix my mood. Also didn`t get a camera as promised cos the price wasn`t the same. Hopefully will get to Paraguay on Friday...

One good thing that happened, however, is that I managed to get a free total adventure tour tomorrow at Iguazi falls, usually probably USD$100 or something, who knows. Anyway, so there is some benefit to working here besides not feeling like a useless prat.

Blah!

Anyway, must run, vino to be drunk and cute French boys to seduce (otra vez)...

Headbanging with the locals

Last night was the first time I sidestepped Cuba Libre and went out to a local joint, thoroughly immersing myself (for the first time) with the Argentinian way of life. And it was a rock night, so not only was I surrounded by hot Argos, I had to listen to Spanish rock classics all night. Haha... priceless.

I had dolled myself up in my finest rock-esque outfit after work (no floral dresses here!!), and was excited about hanging with some of my work buddies that usually start early and keep things pretty tame. But from my efforts the night before, I found myself almost falling asleep for a large bit of the night. Useless!! Kept saying I was going home but never actually left until the others did... and before I knew it, it was almost 7 in the morning. That happens way too easy around here. I blame it on the 1:30am starts these people seem to have for their nightlife.

The bar was cool, with graffiti from past customers all over the walls, and we truly christened its namesake "Jimmy Hendrix" with a fair few little fumar especials around the corner. That, mixed with the chilled red wine, made us all pretty jolly by the end of the night. Cab ride home was fun, with all 5 of us squished into the 4 seats. No H&S round these parts, folks!

Random hotels and not-so-random bruises

Another night at Cuba Libre, another wake-up in a random hotel room. Another set of pole bruises. Oh yeah, I didn´t mention did I... those bruises I got on my arm mysteriously... well, I worked out they were from the pole at CL. And last night I caned myself, seriously it HURT! And when I woke up I looked at my arm... sheeesh. Worst ever.

But at least I had fun.

Yesterday at work was the worst day ever. They told me I could no longer handle the money because there were problems with the till the day before... and "they don´t know" whose fault it is, but I am pretty sure they think it´s mine. And rightly so, I am shit. I swear every time someone is watching me work, I cock up.

Worse still, I went to work SO STONED yesterday I could not stop laughing. I made so many mistakes ("Pepsi please...no I said Pepsi, not 7up") and am pretty sure I was in general just shit at life. When I sobered up, though, I made sure I worked extra hard just to make up for my shitness. I do so hate feeling useless! :)

So I didn´t think I was gonna pull last night, or even go out, but as I was preparing to run out the door to CL I got talking to a cute Argentinian guy.... anyway, he was at the club too and pulling a very pretty English girl from the hostel - while also trying to pull me. Hilarious, given the girl was doing the same thing and then we got chatting and ended up making out in front of him. Haha... priceless..

So I was wasted - clearly - and not sure how I got back to his (private - woot woot!!) room at another hostel but when I woke up I was sure I was in a private room at Hostel Inn. Super confused when I looked out the window. Anyway, must run... work time. Woot.

Muito besos a la Cuba Libre

Had a brief moment of excitement on my day off when one of my co-workers said a bunch of people planned to go to Paraguay the next day, and I could just walk over a bridge from Brazil to Paraguay with no visa troubles. Haha... gotta love it.

But, Argentina being Argentina, I was the only one to actually wake up the next morning and after a quick look around the silent house, I crawled back into bed. Pelotudos. So much for that friggin new camera. I`ll get it one of these days. Hopefully.

It`s started to wear on me a little, this place. I know I should give them a month but the novelty has for sure started to wear off. When the weather is good I can at least sunbake but only if I get up in time... and now a few of the fun boys have left (although some were beginning to grate on me) and I am starting to get annoyed with some of the people I work with. Like actually starting to see what their personalities are like. Bah.

Also, it is a little frustrating now speaking the language here... a lot of times I am just sitting there trying to put the fragments of conversation together while they move from topic to topic, all the while a silent figure in the corner, just mulling over what they probably said 5 subjects ago. Weird, freaky corner figure. That´s me.

Work was fine, still a bit slow but I had gotten a good night`s sleep the night before when I bailed because a couple of the others were jamming (piano and violin... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek) and again I was alone on the couch. Weird couch girl. But for once I actually got a full night`s sleep. Was sooo good.

Because of my clear head, I was fully up for clouding it up again with some booze and Cuba Libre action, particularly since it was the boys` final night here. I befriended some Irish hotties and convinced them to come to the club... fast track to CL and I was makin` out with one of the chicks and dancin` up a storm, grindin` grindin` grindin`... Opa!!

The club wasn`t that full, not surprising since it was only Wednesday, so the talent wasn`t exactly swimming in the pool. Ran into a guy from a previous CL night out, and made out with him. Funny since the last time we met he acted hot n cold, and I was certain he was gay. And I`m pretty sure I made out with a couple of other people, girls and guys, as well. But one can never be entirely sure.

At one stage I lost the others and went outside, ran into a girl from work with a couple of guys, and we jumped into his car to go back to one of their houses. I had a good chat with the guy who owned the house, who works at the hostel down the road also owned by these people, and at first he said I was nothing special when I mentioned the guys loved "exotic J" (ie not Argentinian)... half an hour later he was asking to kiss me and trying to dance with me with a raging hard-on. Grosero. It was at that point I decided to leave. He apologised and gave me money for a cab. That was sweet, at least.

The cab driver kept saying, "muy linda muy linda" (very pretty) so eventually - after some very bad directions to my house - I said, "Just let me out here" in my broken Spanish, and got the fuck outta there. Later the guys from work said they saw me when their bus drove past, walking home at 9:30am. I wondered what time it was. Must start taking my phone with me on these adventures.

Woke up at 3pm. My shift started at 2. Oops. Gotta admit, I rushed a little but not really that much. Can`t really find top gear anymore being here. Muy tranquila. I flagged down a young guy on a motorcycle and convinced him to take me to the hostel, and was there 5 mins later. Sweet! No one really cared and I finished on normal time, fuck doing an extra hour.

Have decided that I will stay until the one-month mark here and bail. I am getting itchy feet and need to see more of this country. And its...uh...sights.... Now. Sleep. Time.

Day off ramblings

Hoy es un dia tranquila... but the insects!! I swear I almost screamed before when I was trying to sunbake! They annoy me so much!! And when I opened my eyes I saw the culprits, 2 little black winged bandits circling my legs looking for the next place to pierce. Arrrrggghhhhhhh....

So that`s disturbed my day-off peace, and driven me indoors yet again to the internet. I am sure there are a million things I could be doing while I have the chance, but of course my mind draws a blank when I try to think of them. Beautician - yes, that`s one! But sadly no tattoo... must look into Brazilian tattoo places.

Starting to get itchy feet with this place, it´s been almost 3 weeks and the other English-speaker here is super super keen to vamos as soon as his new passport comes through. Doesn`t make me particularly want to stick around a lengthy time, either... I kinda want to see more of the country. We get paid soon, I wonder how much I will get... Don`t know how they do it here, and I don`t have a contract so it will be interesting.

I have found a way to hook up with people at the hostel after-hours, too... another girl here asks for a key to an empty room and goes in there until about 6am, then leaves before the cleaners start and they clean the room none the wiser. Pretty good plan methinks. Sometimes I feel there is nothing else here to do besides hook up...

One thing I have noticed about this place, probably actually Argentina in total, is that they share everything. You buy a drink, you offer it around the group. You have some lunch, you offer it to everyone. You buy a drink, you better get a big bottle and 6 cups. It`s a little odd, but kinda cool. Except when I have a sore throat and I feel like I am just passing it around the group. But even when we`re chilling back at the staff house, it`s off to get a big bottle of vino to pass around in 2 cups. Probably sounds unspectacular but just thought I`d mention it. Hey, I got the time!!

Shitty visas and departing sorrow

Had a mild bout of depression today as I found out, as an Australian, I need a visa to go into shitty Paraguay, something I do not want to organise just to buy a cheap camera, while at the same time having to say goodbye to my new favourite hot Argentinian plastic surgeon... seriously, he was like a soap opera doctor. Too hot to be in a hospital not on daytime TV.

Hopefully I can give the money to a workmate and he can get the camera for me when he goes into Paraguay, but who knows when that will actually be (everything takes forever in Argentina) and I want to get some happy snaps of some of the guys here before a bunch of them ship off home this week. Sigh.

I got another ride home on a workmate`s motorcycle last night, woot woot I love those things!!

What else happened today... hmm, not much. The hostel has quietened down quite noticably, I wonder if it`s been the recent shit weather or if it is indeed going into slow season. Either way, it has made some of my working days a mild-sight less tolerable and the views from the front door in now way comparative to previous days. Sigh. Again.

Still undecided about when I will leave or what I will do next, but planning day by day as I talk to people about their travel experiences. Patagonia looks amazing for horseriding but it is getting cold there, and do I really want to end my South American adventure in winter temps before I go back to Australia`s own winter?

Tomorrow is my day off. I had planned on going to Paraguay but since that`s on the rocks, I might just get boozed tonight, sleep in, sleep in, go on a jungle mini-adventure with a new girl from work and possibly fit in a visit to the beautician at some stage. My visit to the tattooist today was not entirely successful... I got another quote which was about 4x the original quote my mate got from a different artist, although I think he may have meant USD not pesos cos $40 - 80 seems a little cheap in pesos (AUD$10 - 20). The second shop I went to today also didn`t seem like amazing artists, so I think I will give that one a miss. Maybe I will go to Brazil to check out things there... we will see...

Mental on a motorbike

So, continuing on from my last post, this group of Argentinian men (yes, men, as in over 20 years old) had come in and I caught the eye of the cutest one... tanned, light brown hair, blue eyes... beautiful. Later got talking to him and found out they were all plastic surgeons. Great ego boost. I can just imagine him mentally drawing little lines all over my imperfections. Aside from that, however, they did mention how many women in Brazil get ass implants, a fact I found hilarious. Ass implants!! Can you imagine that in Australia??!

Anyway, so I have explained about the 2-hour hotel but then afterwards I got a lift door to door in the hot surgeon´s car and then had a few hours sleep before work. Soooooo tired the next day but seeing the hottie again sans shirt really lifted my spirits. Oh, his smile... melts me every time. Sigh. Actually really preferring people with a few more years on them. Should have stuck with that idea before but the poooooooooooooootaaaaaang is just on tap here.

Got a lift into work with one of the management who lives at the staff house here on his motorbike... god, I love those things. Wind in my air... etc etc... Took a little detour to the other hostels to sort some things out but got to work eventually, in my heels sans other shoes (left them at the hostel the night before) and running in all stressed cos I didn´t know the time... yes, I do indeed draw attention to myself. Was only 5 mins late in the end anyway. Blurgh.

I finished work and kept things pretty light, just a couple of beers (one maybe even...hideously sensible), and I took myself home. Had to walk, very disappointed, but halfway home I heard the roaring of a group of motorcycles and I spotted some workmates amongst the beeping lunatics. I threw my (bruised) arms up in anguish before one of them turned around and picked me up, to take me home. Yay!! Wrapping arms around a hot Argo on a motorbike... don´t mind if I do!!

Kickstarting the party

Forgot to add that yesterday I woke up without a phone so I just dressed and walked to work, not knowing if it was 10am or 3pm... starting work at 2pm, I was hoping it was the former. Finally got there and was told it was 11am, 3 hours to waste before work. So I sat by the pool, ended up falling asleep and getting a nasty-ass burn mark on ye tatas (outside el bikini) and starting work all dazed n confused. At least I caught the last few rays of sunshine before the clouds stormed in...

So. Today. Or last night, should I say... All I will say is that I deserve a frequent flyers card for that friggin 2-hour room hotel. Best customer ever. Haha... ahh estoy una zorro.

Anyway, so I had spotted these guys come in who were clearly a bit older than the early/-barely-twenty crowd I had come accustomed to here, and one was pretty fine. He glanced at me a moment longer than necessary and I pretty much knew then n there I was in. I asked the day before and they weren´t gonna check in til the next day so that was fine.

The next day, yesterday, I finished work, convinced some guests to oome to Cuba Libre (who actually ended up bailing before I found some others) and soon after got talking to these guys. Turns out they are plastic surgeons on a conference (hence the matching white linen shirts) - don´t even ask me why they were staying at a hostel, no matter how resorty it is.

They all came to the club with me and J, we looked super cool getting all 12 of them in for free cos we worked at Hostel Inn, and then inside us 2 even got free drinks. Woot woot!! In the club, I was in... had a good dance and at some point found myself in the VIP area which is muy similar to the normal area but just looking down on the others. Cool. Ahem.

I saw an empty podium that was being used as a drink stand (blasphemy!!) so I jumped up and after my short stint, I had convinced the rest of the club to keep utilising the area and soon enuf there were people after people clambering up there, of varying degrees of ability. Still, my efforts got a couple of kisses with some hot Argo chicks so I ain´t complaining...

I left with hot Argo who had hired a car and suddenly I found myself driving into familiar territory, at the hotel offering 2-hour rooms and ultimate privacy. Was a fun night but god knows how I get these bruises on my arms...

Storm time

A nasty-ass tropical storm is brewing outside the hostel right now. I am glad I am working inside today. Just chilling before work, when I get one precious hour with my favourite little boy, and then tonight is most likely Cuba Libre time, it being Friday n all. But this weather may well put a dampener on things.

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. After work, I had just one beer then bailed back to the house because the other boys were occupied with pretty Israeli girls and I didn`t want to stand in their way.

Found out when I ran into one of the other workers on the way home that four of them are leaving next week. Super sad. I like this crew and it is changing so much!! Boo. I HAVE to get that camera soon so I can take piccies of everyone before they scoot off. Alright, time to eat!