Hasta Luego!

As the sun goes down on my South American adventure I thought I'd do one final post. I get a flight back to the UK this afternoon and I need to pack up my bags for the last time on this trip. Thankfully I can check two bags on my flights home so my usual near-miraculous act of fitting everything in can be relaxed today.

Maybe I should list some highlights...

1. Staying and Teaching in Posadas.

I don't think you can really get an idea of what a place is like by staying 3 days and doing two tours to tourist spots (see number 3). So staying 4 weeks and teaching here was fantastic. Maybe teaching should be a highlight on it's own - great fun and very rewarding.

2. Being asked if I was Spanish!

I'll explain that properly later. I've enjoyed learning spanish and it's great to celebrate the wee successes along the way. It was great to know I could be understood when asking for basic things like bus tickets etc but the best times are when you have a "proper" conversation. Ok, it's quite limited and the native speaker has to be patient and speak slower than normal, but I have managed on occasion to have a decent chat with some people that don't speak any English. Of course I still have loads to learn but Rome wasn't built in a day!

I was asked if I was Spanish by my taxi driver in Salta after exchanging initial pleasantries and confirming I was going to the airport. I felt like giving the guy a high 5!

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me along the way with this. I must mention Josefina, my teacher back in Edinburgh. Without the good grounding I had before getting on the plane it would've been much harder over here.

3. Heading off with no plan for a few weeks.

This was a little difficult to get used to initially but I soon got in the swing of it. I think it is very easy to get hooked into seeing as many places and as much as you can all the time. This, I suspect, is because everyone is busy at work, finds it hard to relax at the best of times and only has a limited amount of time to travel etc. However, I met a few people along the way that actually saw/understood very little about where they had been at all because they spent most of the time on a tour bus to or at (albeit quite amazing) tourist spots. After I got over this I enjoyed myself much more and had more opportunities to speak to the locals. However, there is a limit to travelling for me and I think 4 or 5 weeks or so is probably about enough. All power to the guys that head off for 6 months or a year.

4. The people of Argentina and Chile

I've found the people here to be very friendly, helpful and interested in having a chat with me. Of course it helps knowing a bit of their language as the vast majority of the locals speak little or no English. Most people like a laugh too which is great.

5. Some touristy highlights (in no particular order)

• Las Cataratas - Iguazu - One of the 7 wonders of the natural world.
• Perito Moreno Glacier
• Staying on the Estancia near Mendoza (pretending to be a Gaucho for a couple of days! The wine and Parilla were pretty tremendous too)
• Steak and Ice Cream - the food of champions!

So what faces me when I get home?

- A weather shock! It's been around 35 degrees here and I've had rain one evening (in Salta) in the last 6 weeks. It'll be about 5 degrees with rain and a windchill from hades. Oh well, I'll just dig out my hot water bottle and wear a few layers.

- A work shock! Thankfully I'm not due back at work until mid-feb so I can get used to the weather shock and then worry about work later.

- A triathlon to train for! A full olympic distance, open water swimming, triathlon. I think I'd better get some swimming lessons!

Ok, that's the end of this particular blog folks. Thanks for reading and for your messages.

Until the next time I do some crazy challenge or head off somewhere adventurous.....Chau! Hasta Luego!

Photo catch-up - Alcanzar fotos

Bahia Inglesa, Chile. There are some lovely beaches in Chile. Hay algunas playas bonitas en Chile.

....but I don't think I'll go swimming today! .... pero no voy a nadar hoy!

Salta la linda - Salta the fair.

Empanadas Salta-style - quite juicy with bigger chunks of meat rather than mince. Very tasty!
Empanadas al estilo Salta - jugoso con mas grande trozos de carne en cambio de picar. Muy rico!

Football is a big deal here. This is in Bariloche (Argentina) after the Chilean team Universidad de Chile won the Copa Sudamericana.

Futbol es muy importante acá. Algunas hinchas de Universidad de Chile después se gano la copa sudamericana.

Simon from Germany kindly shared his amazing shot of a jumping baby whale. Near Puerto Mardyn.

Simon de Alemania dio se foto de nino ballena saltando. Cerca de Puerto Madryn.

Jimbo's guide to Argentina #3 - some other things

As I come towards the end of my time in South America I thought I'd add some thoughts that probably don't deserve a post on their own but together add up to an "other things" posting. (Attempt at spanish translation at the end - En espanol despues). Here goes...

1. It's rare to find spicy food in Argentina - but in Salta they have a Salsa Aji!

That's the one on the right - tomato with chillis. I was told its not unlike something they have in nearby Bolivia. In actual fact I ended up preferring the one on the left - Salsa criollo which is found throughout Argentina.

2. Don't go to the bank on Monday morning in Argentina...

This is not a queue for a bus, this is a queue for the bank (in Puerto Madryn, but I've seen this in other cities too). Cash is king here, electronic transactions are rare - must be under 10%. A lot of places don't accept plastic so it's better to have more than enough cash to get you through a day or two at all times.

Also, there is usually a moment when you are paying for something with not exact change (which for me has been most of the time) when the shopkeeper asks if you have smaller change. I expect they don't want to stand in a queue like this too often to get their till float! So if you do happen to pay in a shop with exact change the shopkeeper is always delighted.

On a slightly more serious note I believe the public's trust in banks was really rocked in 2001 when Argentina had a financial crisis. I read somewhere that some people don't put their savings in banks anymore for fear of not getting it back. At some points in the early 2000s withdrawals were limited or even banned for a while.

3. People here complain about the weather....

I had a good laugh with my Buenos Aires taxi driver (Alberto) yesterday. We were chatting away (in spanish I'll have you know!) and as usual he asked about Scotland. I've found almost everyone here is really interested in where I come from and willing to take a few minutes out to chat (except the odd busy waiter etc). Anyway, we chatted on about this and that until we got onto the weather. I told him that yes, it's cold in Scotland, we have lots of rain, sometimes snow and ice and that everyone says it's too cold. I then said that in Argentina everyone says it's too hot! We both laughed and he agreed. Although he did go on to explain that Argentina has 4 climates really due to the vast size of the country. I expect the people in Tierra del Fuego complain about the cold.

4. Football...

I think I've said one or two things about the football here before but I'm going to say a couple more. I like the football in South America. Of the games I've seen they tend to be more physical than in Europe now. The referees usually let the players off with more robust challenges. Also, there appears to be much more individual flair - many more of the players here are good dribblers and can beat their opposite man. This seems to have been lost in Britain. So a lot of the games I've seen have been exciting and high scoring.

I must also say again that I think the Comentaristas are quality. Having seen some vintage football footage here I come to realise that the art has evolved over time. Today there must be two long shouts of "GOOOL" after a goal. No more no less. In the eighties only one shout was required. The best comentaristas now save a little extra breath for a final flourish at the end of the second one. Also, the best ones (in my opinion) sound like they are really going to cry when someone misses a great scoring opportunity. Brilliant.

I had a laugh with James who I met in Bariloche about whether it was possible to learn Spanish only by watching South American football matches. That might be an interesting social experiment! However,  I've actually learned a fair bit through watching footy games (honest!).

5. Strange one this...

I've noticed quite a lot on hot days some of the blokes here hitch up their t-shirts above their bellies. I presume this is to try and cool down as it's not really a good look! Particularly as it is usually blokes with a larger tummy.

Surely it's better T-shirt fully on or t-shirt fully off? However, I've noticed it quite a lot so must be generally accepted as ok.

6. Travelling alone is probably not too healthy over long periods...

I've noticed more often in the last week or so that I've taken to occasionally talking to myself (out loud) as I walk along the street. Actually, it may be more often than that as I might only notice and reproach myself if there has been someone nearby that could've heard!

Time to go home for a while I think!

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Este traducción no es fácil! Pero voy a tratar...

"Guia a Argentina de Jimbo - algunas otra cosas"

1. No es facil fundar comido picante in Argentina. Pero en Salta hay salsa aji!

<foto>

Es tomate y chili como una salsa en Bolivia. Realmente yo prefiero la otra - Salsa Criollo. Este es fundido toda la pais.

2. No vayan al banco en Lunes en Argentina!

<foto>

No es una fila para el colectivo, es una fila para el banco (este foto es de Puerto Madryn pero yo veia filas como este en otra ciudads). Efectivo es mejor acá. En su major parte no es posible pagar por tarjeta de crédito.

Casi siempre cuando pago (no efectivo exactamente) el tendero me piden dinero mas pequeño. Parezco que no quieren esperar in una fila al banco retirar cambio! Por supuesto, si puedo pagar efectivo exactamente están muy feliz!

Creo que la gente han perdido confianza en los bancos después la crisis financiero de 2001.

 3. La Gente de Argentina se quejan del tiempo!

Hablamos con un conducir de taxi en Buenos Aires (en esponal!) y después de otras cosas nosotros hablamos del tiempo. Casi todo el mundo en sudamericana son interesar en donde yo vivo y quieren hablar con migo durante algunos minutos. Asi, yo explice como Escocia es mucho frio, tiene muchas lluvia, tal vez hielo y nieve, y todo el mundo en escocía se quejan del tiempo. Entonces, yo hable "la gente en Argentina hablan "mucho calor!"". Nos reímos! Entonces el ha explicado Argentina tiene 4 climas diferente porque es un país muy grande.

4. Futbol..

El Partidos en Sudamericana son mas fisico aca y los jugados tiene mas tecnica, especialmente regateando.

Me gusta los comentaristas! Los mejores dan un movimiento finalmente del grito "GOOOL" y los mejores sonara a ellos lloraran cuando un jugador ha errado un bueno oportunidad marcar un gol. Brillante!

Es posible aprender español solo escuchando al partidos de fútbol? Yo he aprendido mucho así.

5. Una Cosa Extrana...

Algunas hombres levanta se camisas arriba se estomago cuando hay mucho calor! Generalmente este es hombres gordos! Parezco es mejor sin camisa o llevar camisa totalmente!

6. Viajar solo durante demasiado tiempo no es saludable!

Recientemente yo he hable con yo mismo en voz alta cuando caminando en la calle.

Tal vez debo regresar a Escocia por un tiempo!

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year...

An unusual Hogmany for me today...I hired a 4x4 Toyota beast to explore the desert and mountains near copiapo...here's the Toyota...Tremendous vehicle...

You can probably just about make out a wee bit of the lagoon and salt flats in the bottom left. I drove 3 hours this morning to get to an altitude of 3700m to an amazing lagoon....











If only I'd got the tops of the mountains! This pelican wasn't happy with me snooping around.

Salt flat...

Land speed record attempt. Unfortunately there was no-one else there to use the stopwatch....I guess we'll never know if I beat it ;o)

Pretty amazing and my bizarre hogmany continued in a different way later. I had a nice run before heading out to dinner with a healthy appetite. However, I stupidly didn't realise that nowhere would be open! Thankfully I found a wee corner shop and got a cheese sandwich, a banana, two yoghurts and a packet of guacamole doritos for my last meal of 2011. This might have been a little depressing if it hadn't been such a brilliant year. Ok, I'm off to watch the Copiapo fireworks.

All the best for 2012!

Ajedrez, Al de estilo sudamericana

(Chess, South American style! - Or santiago, chile style anyway)

Day 2 in Santiago is going well. I'm due to get an overnighter to Copiapo tonight (at 23:15) so I have plenty of time to kill. After my run up the Cerro I've been doing a few bits and bobs. Although, it seems a lot of the Museums around here are closed for refurbishment/repair. To be honest I can't really manage more than an hour or so in a museum anyway so not to worry. So i was chilling (South American style) in the main square here in downtown Santiago - Plaza de Armas, when I notice something happening open the bandstand. What's this.....

Tremendo! A chess competition!

These two really mean business.....

Speed chess to the max and the guy on the right really hammers down the pieces for effect! (Actually I'm beginning to notice this is quite common amongst the players here .... take THAT!) - The guy on the right won the first game, but the older dude on the right got revancha with a demolition in the next one.

and these two are on the clock...looks like a final or something with the crowds ...

I edge closer to get a look see... The chap in the hat appears to be winning...on time and pieces on the board (looks like they had 10 minutes each and they are down to about 4 left now). Then I notice that hatman is giving a constant and very annoying running commentary. I ask the spectator next to me in my stilted spanish ... Jugador hablando constantamente, esta bien? He laughs and says "Si"

I am beginning to get really annoyed with hatman and I'm not even playing! This would not do in the UK, hatman would surely be taken aside and given a dressing down. I am now really rooting for the other guy....and then YES, a stunning counter attack (kinda like my own chess style ;o) ) and hatman is defeated .... and he's not happy! I punch the air and I'm really tempted to push through the crowd to  shake the winner's hand - TREMENDO!!!!!

PS before you ask - I did look around for an empty chair but there were no empty slots ... otherwise I'd have been all in for a game or two (but not against hatman - I think I might've done something out of character if I'd had to endure his constant chatter)

A touristy / arty shot from Plaza de Armas to finish.

Photo Catch-up - alcanzar fotos.

Some photos.... Algunas fotos......

BLOG IT! near Bariloche

Estancia El Puesto....era 24 Diciembre, después un almuerzo grande, "montar a caballo?", Siiiiiiiii! ..... tal vez un pequena siesta primero!

Buenas vistas en Estancia El Puesto!

Gauchos autenticos

Necesito mas que un sombrero ser un gaucho!

Este no es un dia de Navidad normal para mi! Todo Bien!!!

Sobre los andes a Chile en bus. Mas que un hora y media pasar aduana! Un hombre Argentino dijo este es rápido!

Cerro San Christobal en Santiago de Chile. Ayer yo camine arriba, hoy yo corri! Si puedo asegurar mi natación pues podre terminar el triathalon rápido en Junio!

La vista de Cerro San Christobal. Hay nubes :o(














Un turisto blanco en Chile!

Mendoza es especial!

Porque? Por Supuesto Mendoza tienen muchas Bodegas de vino increíble. También Mendoza es cerca de  muchas montañas muy linda. Todo esto es cierto. Pero Mendoza es también especial para mi a cause de 11 Junio 1978.

Por los que no recuerdo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1axsnMRbbo

No es facile para mi mirar que. Tengo mariposas en mi estomago y un lagrimo en mi ojo. Por uno momento los ninos (por ejemplo - mi!) y chicos y todos los gente en escocía creido......

Escocia estaba ganando 3-1 y solo necesitado una mas gol para al progreso (Necesitan ganar por tres gols - por ejemplo 3-0 o 4-1). Pero una calamidad por el portero de escocia y Holland marcar un gol! Escocia ganar 3-2 y salia.

Holland fueron a la final contra Argentina....

Lo que poria haber sido....?

Fui a la estadio ajer...

Muy agradable...

...y donde Archie Gemmill hizo historia.


Voy a visitar un Estancia en las montañas por navidad entonces ahora yo digo - Feliz Navidad por todos!!!

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Mendoza is Special!

Why? Of course Mendoza has many fine wineries with fantastic wine. Also, Mendoza is close to some beautiful mountains. All this is true. But Mendoza is also special for me because of June 11th 1978.

For those who don't remember....

<Youtube clip>

It's not easy for me to watch this. I have butterflies in my stomach and a tear in the eye. For one moment all the children (including me) , youths and all the people of Scotland believed...

(In fact, Scotland had qualified for the World Cup by beating Wales in the final group game to win the group - with the first and original Hand of God moment thanks to our very own toothless wonder, Joe Jordan winning a dubious penalty for Don Masson to find the net - he didn't miss much from 12 yards. Our manager Ally McLeod then claimed we'd win the cup and suddenly we thought we were world beaters.

We arrived in Argentina after a ludicrous "victory" type send off. Unfortunately (hmmm, there is no excuse really) we totally underestimated the handy Peru and were humbled 3-1 after going 1-0 up through a Joe Jordan goal (no question of handball this time)

Next we played Iran in what seemed to be a must win game only now the pressure was really on and we were a bag of nerves in a woeful 1-1 draw - during this game Ally McLeod famously put his head in his hands in frustration

Both of these matches had been in Cordoba - if only we'd played them all in Mendoza...

So finally the stage was set - Scotland had no chance, needed to win by 3 goals against Holland, who'd got to the previous final in 1974, surely this was impossible. Frustratingly this is when Scottish teams always seem to play best - when they are written off and there is no pressure. So it was to be this time as well

Just to set the scene even more...

We actually went a goal down in the Holland game to a rather soft penalty...but just before half time - I'll never forget this goal either, we equalised through a long cross-field pass being deftly headed down (by Jordan) for Kenny Dalglish to smash in the top corner - Half time it was 1-1.

Just after half time we won a penalty and our Captain, Archie Gemmill duly slotted it home - I may be wrong but I suspect our usual penalty taker had been dropped in place of a youthful Graeme Souness.

Then, with 32 minutes to go, the best goal in the world ever sent Scotland into wonderland. We only needed one more to beat Holland by 3 goals and make it through to the next stages. We'd only missed out in 1974 by goal difference after strolling home 2-0 against Zaire when Brazil and Yugoslavia were ruthless in 3-0 and 9-0 victories - although I'm far too young to remember that one ;o))

But then disaster as with 19 minutes remaining somehow Johnny Rep lashes in a speculative drive from all of 40 odd yards. Our goalkeeper can hardly move and it's all over. 

Holland went on to reach the final again, only to lose to the hosts Argentina (for a second time - it was hosts West Germany in 1974).

what might have been......

I went to see the stadium yesterday...

<Picture of the stadium 1>
Rather nice with the mountains in the background

<Picture 2>
The end where Archie Gemmill made history

I'm going to stay on a ranch in the mountains for Christmas so will be out of range from tomorrow. So I'll say Happy Christmas now!!!!