Random police busts

The drinking began in the hostel, as it usually does for this little traveling tightass. I was getting cheaper drinks, not totally staff because someone else was manning the bar, but still a great deal cheaper than the bars outside.

I befriended 2 couples of English people, they were traveling in a group and were really nice. After a few really strong drinks and intermittent checking of my FB for communication with my Aussie friends in town, I made the snap decision to go to Palermo solo and meet them there. We had a drunken convo on the phone which led me to a random restaurant, and from there we started the party.

Things get a little blurry at this point, but I remember we walked to the place everyone was headed that night (basically there is a good party each night of the week that gets rammed and this night it was Tuesday, hip-hop night), but when we got to the front of the line we decided we weren`t really feeling it and bailed. I had less money on me anyway cos I had thrown a 50 into my bra in the dark instead of a 100. So it would`ve been my mates covering the door charge and that ain`t cool.

So we went walking and ended up at probably one of the more touristy places to go, sitting outside cos inside was rammed. We made friends with these random French guys that could speak some English but preferred to just ramble in Spanish and French even though they knew my mates weren`t really understanding... typical. I got a beer and we were sitting there chilling when S came out in a rush, grabbed N and started walking briskly towards the cab stand. Then I saw them get into a cab and I was like WTF, so I stared at them and saw S motion to me to come quickly. So I bailed, ran over and jumped in the cab. And we were outta there.

"What the fuck was that all about??" I asked S... apparently he was in the toilet about to do some lines and these men lean over the toilet wall with a searchlight, flashing some badges and saying they were police. Well, this is what he heard in Spanish... anyway, whatever they said, it scared the bejeezers outta him and so he was out of there in a flash. Weirdly, though, they took his coke and then handed it back to him, telling him to get out of there. Now.

So he did. And we along with him. Almost back at the hostel, we stopped the cab and jumped out at good ol' Red Door. By this stage, we were all well trashed so of course we struck up some conversation with randoms from Bs As. I ended up with some hot blonde chick, and was trying to get her to come back to my now empty hostel room, but she said she couldn`t leave her friend so he had to come too. One look at said friend and it was a firm NO. Then she went to the bar with the friend, and when her other mate went to the toilet, I BAILED. Couldn`t be fucked to deal with it. Back at the hostel, I made myself pasta and it was GOOD. Also went on the computer, probably not the best idea in my state but it was entertaining to read the next day.

I woke up all foggy about the night before, but with flashes of memory coming back...all of which made me giggle. Was an awesome night, thoroughly random but hey, aren`t they always the best kind??

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...