Getting shots...of the non-alcohol variety :(

I arrived in Cordoba late morning, having spoken to my CS friend and arranged everything. So it was sorted. I was in Cordoba, not in Buenos Aires (already my day was getting better), I had had SOME sleep in the bus but also managed to see some of the beautiful countryside out my window... and I had a bed to sleep on that night. A free bed. I always like the sound of that.

I got to E`s house and he was instantly welcoming... the oldest CSing host I have had but kinda refreshing that he has his shit sorted. Taking in 20-something backpackers from around the world, though, an interesting choice of company for a 40-year-old... Anyway, who am I to judge, you are what you feel. Regardless, he is a very inviting host and had lunch ready for me when I got there. Lucky, I was starving and those overpriced sandwiches had barely touched the sides. Nothing like the full-surface get-up I got from Iguazu to Bs As. Ho hum.

His house was nice, except a bit odd as the kitchen/eating area was connected to the bedroom/loft area with a bathroom. First time I have seen a bathroom with 3 doors. Well, I guess it`s good his bathroom isn`t in his room or something!!

I felt a little tired but staved off the exhaustion in order to get some shit done. First on my list: Yellow Fever Vaccination. Well, wasn`t that a mission. Had to go from one unknown hospital to another, using my basic Spanish skills to get myself there in a taxi and then home on a bus. But I did it, and got the vac for free - apparently it`s a campaign they have in Argentina to prevent the spread of the illness. I am usually a little more flippant with these kinds of life-threatening situations, but having just experienced 1 night of food poisoning and being told YF is like a 2-3 week version of that, I am getting the shot.

So now I have the certificate and even my entry form for coming back to Argentina from Uruguay - I am so organised!! Usually I just play dumb when I go into countries, I have no idea what forms they need... so far I have not been charged any extra fees. For this, I consider myself a darn sight blessed.

That night, we had a nice dinner at the local Mexican restaurant - as you do in Argentina - and waddled into town (actually, drove, which was a nice change) to find a park and have a drink in amongst the students. I wasn`t really feeling it, to be honest, and was soooo tired so after just one cocktail I called it a night. Felt bad but E said he was also tired. Bless him for wanting to show me the town anyway.

I wasn`t super looking forward to another night amongst almost pre-pubescent youngsters but I put it down to just being tired. Which makes me cranky at the best of times. And where the hell were all the big-boobed chicks I was told about in Cordobabababababa???? And damn my super hot friend from here for being so useless and no replying to my message. I want to see your beautiful face... just one last time. Damn you and your perfection.

First 24 hours in London... hectic!

It's been an interesting first 24 hours back in my old stomping ground of London. First, it was a mad rush trying to get ready and into town to meet people, without a UK number, and with the combined organisational intelligence of a pea with my other usually organised friend Z1... needless to say, it was hectic times.

Finally made it into a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, had dinner and drinks, warbled over to the tube and headed south. Now south is not somewhere I usually frequent but this time, on a friend's suggestion, I thought I'd give it a go. Though, in hindsight, I'm not sure why I'd throw myself to the black lions having recently been so dismayed at them. But I like to make things complicated innit.

So I take my girls (Z1 and Z2) to Hootanany and have a boogie to the Latina band playing, before getting that old familiar 'I've had a few beers, time to pick up' feeling. Cue Pink Panther music in background and I stalked my prey. This morning woke up, fully clothed mind you, on a fold-out futon next to a cute Mexican skater who was a tattoo artist back home. Shazam. Pretty sure I did my old trick of passing out as soon as my head hit the pillow though. Gotta keep up the class.

You taking notes yet??