Cordoba and Argentines

First of all let me tell you that no amount of time is enough to do backpacking in South America. You’ll be a fool like me to think that 6 month s would be enough. I mean I haven’t even scratched the surface and I already know that my time is too short and I plan to visit only 4 countries.
I am in Cordoba right now which is the cultural capital of Argentina. A tall claim to live by but when you come here it’s not difficult to see why. The city is steeped in history with colonial building all around. It’s built around plazas and people fill them up all the time. It’s a student town and quintessentially Argentine in nature with its laid back lifestyle. It’s also the adventure hug of Argentina but I am reserving all that for Patagonia where I am headed next. Cordoba is a big province and the hills are close buy. The locals in this heat love to head for the mountains and camping and just about everyone in the town are out doing that because it’s boiling right now.
The city has got culture but the trick is to get away from your guide books and roam around the city especially parts which aren’t mentioned in books – places where the locals visit. Like yesterday I went with a local friend who was as inquisitive about India as I was about her country took me to a bar where they experiment with electronic music and tango. The whole experience was great. Its fusion like ive never experienced.
I have already started feeling that I don’t have enough time in this continent so now I have decided not try to see little of just about everything and want to spend 2 weeks in Patagonia. It’s a 20 hour bus drive but these buses are really comfortably. They serve you meals and wine and you can also travel first class but it comes at a price. The bus terminals have information boards like in airports and it’s pretty easy to find your way around.
The Argentines have to be some of the friendliest people in the world. My Spanish is no where close to be good expect for the touristy phrases but you just need to spot someone for help and they would go out of their way to help you. Not like Europe where there the most unfriendly especially to backpackers. Argentines are very interested about Indians and respect out culture and way of life. They want to know more about us and just about everyone wants to come to our country, but then who doesn’t.
Everyone in the hostel is surprised when they come to know I am from India especially because they haven’t come across Indian backpackers but I guess it’s about opportunities.
And yah, I finally learnt how to do laundry and took my first tango lesson. The later was for free. Viva Argentina.

New years and Tango

Its 2010 and i have just surfaced on the 2nd evening after what was a kick ass way to usher in the new year. Rio is probally the party capital of the world and i did want to spend new years there but it was frightfully expensive to be there. Buenos Aires but as expected was great.
Like on most nights no club opens before 2am. New years there for you can either spend on the streets or like me in the hostel with firends.
I went to Pashas, a nightclub the the ticket included a bus transfer from the hostel. I really dont remember much from what happened and from where i see it i think i had a blast. Electronic music playing with some of the best dj´s from across the world, four different floors, 3 different sets and the club is on the sea shore. It was brillient honestly with people from across the world. I made friends with some aussies on the bus and with a guy who thinks he is Borat. We were together for a while but then the madness started .
The party continued till 10 in the morning from where i went with some gringos - read americans, to another place before i came to the hostel the next night. So you now know why i surfaced on the second evening because i had had no sleep for 40 hours. Go Argentina.........
Buenos Aires has a timeless air about itself. Its got culture mixed with charm, music and dance is the birth right of the residents. Tango for example. Sex and lust. Love and frigigity. Rythm and high healed shoes. Tango has been about competing interests. Its flirtation with paradox is how. On one had it seduces because it is ancient and timeless – in a worldfixated with fads and fashion – and on the other it is rejuvinated and renovated. Buenos Aires and tango complement each other and the dance says alot about the city because its special.
Today in my last day in BA and i am off to Cardoba which is in the north. The bus system in Argentina is very good and relatively cheap.ive only heard good things about it so togight should be fun.