Cordoba

We arrived in Cordoba, Argentina's secondest largest city at 9am. The day had not got off to a good start as I was kept awake on the overnight bus by a snoring Argentinian man (even my iPod on max volume could not drown him out!). We then were split up into 2 taxis as the taxi men refused to take all 4 of us with our rucksacks, day bags and the CAnson's extra plastic bags (by the way Natalie, Caz is suggesting you're the reason for the excess clothes she has!).

We all managed to arrive at Link hostel-which had a great rooftop terrace we had to ourselves, provided our best free breakfasts (the usual bread, cereal extra but with a baked peanut butter sponge cake every morning)! Jayne- I have made a U turn on the road to skinny ville! We then headed out to explore a bit of the city and to grab a bite to eat. The heavens opened and down came our first taste of rain since our treking to Machu Picchu 3 weeks earlier. We trenched through what we found out over the next few days was the ugliest part of the city but was saved by a cafe serving submarinos (an excellent hot cholate = hot milk with a melting flake of real cholate). The rain continued so we headed back to Link hostel armed with beers and Tia Maria, which we had to sneak in as it was prohibited, a way to get us to buy alcohol from them. But having been brought up to sneak gin and tonics and boddys into the cinema -this was no test!

After an afternoon of drinking we decided to treat ourselves to a good bit of Argentinian steak. We were recommended a place and were quite hopeful. Considering it was not a cheap meal, the steak was very average and the vegetables were boiled so much the carrots were the same colour as the broccoli. Having not been very impressed with the food or our service Rich refused to pay the tip which was included on the bill by telling them he wanted to pay it in cash. Once they had refunded the money for the tip we legged it- only leaving a tooth pick to represent our appreciation. A few days later the money came out of Rich's bank account- it was not as expensive as we thought, £70 for all four of us including drinks! Tight gits!

For our second day in Cordoba we headed to the park,very pretty with a central lake and found some concrete sun beds. As uncomfortable as they sound rich still managed to fall asleep (see photo). We played some frisbee and watched a girl practice trapeze acts on a ribbon she tied to a tree. The funniest part of the day was us all getting thrown out of a taxi when Rich pushed the reset button before we had set off as it was already logging 6 pesos (equivalent of £1). We were then bundled into the taxi behind and rich immediately caused another commotion by trying to push his faulty seat back. The second taxi obviously had seen us get thrown out the first and did not seem impressed with us at all. Especially with us 3 giggling away in back.

That night the boys managed to BBQ some steak and sausages. Caz and I were on salads and chimi churi making (it helps when you have the right ingredients -parsley does not make a good coriander substitute).

Our last day was spent wandering the more beautiful streets, meandering along the river side road and discovering some little boutique shops. Caz and I had a great take away-a huge burrito, the boys holding out for chicken and chips they has spotted earlier that day but ended up with a sandwich, 6:30pm is apparently not tea time in Argentina! It was time to leave for Mendoza on another over night bus. Wanting to get our own back on the taxi men Rich flagged one off the street while the rest of hid around the corner with all our bags. Before the taxi man could say anything Caz and I were in the back with the boys packing our bags in around us. It would have been a squeeze anyway but Rich had managed to call a taxi with no boot. Hysterical laughter from Caz and I drowned out the taxi man's Spanish protest and soon he was laughing with us. Caz and I had steams of tears the whole way to the station, which was fuelled by mike declaring his claustrophobia. We provided entertainment to some locals as we piled out of the small fiat punto, bag after bag like a magician's hat. Next stop- Mendoza, wine capital of Argentina.
Ps more photos added to last blog (salta as requested) and entries more to come very soon