Entry number 2 from Buenos Aires. These be my last few hours here in the Big B.A. ("I pity da fool"). Having spent a few days here back at the end of March, (unfortunately not feeling great so limited partying was acheived), I headed to Montevideo, Uruguay's capital. Yes, I'm sure you did all know that already, but just to save some of you from feeling you had to look it up... :P The crossing (by ferry) to Coroña was slightly bizarre in itself...the river separating the two bits of land is huowge. (That's 'huge', pronounced funnily, in order to make it seem bigger. It works, ask any neologist. Some geologists may even be able to help you out. Neurologists would probably be a lost cause though). I took a couple of photos, but then realised just how dull they were, so deleted them again...you'll have to imagine for yourselves. Oh, but luckily, on the ferry on the way back, I may have taken another...oooh the anticipation...I bet you just can't wait to check out the latest uploads... Anyway. So I got to Montevideo, arrived at the the hostel Charlie had recommended, and got his lazy ass out of bed (it was 5pm), so we could commence some drinking. What followed has to be censored for legal reasons, but needless to say, 48 hours later when I was leaving to come back to Buenos Aires, the only non-alcoholic drink I'd had was a glass of orange Fanta, at around 3pm on the Sunday. Be proud of me Mum, you raised me good. So back to Buenos Aires I came, this time to meet up with the Farid(a) and Per for some partying. Also did a few cultural things, such as visiting the famous cemetery where Madonna/Eva Peron was buried, and also where I found the tomb of one Miguel Cane. See photo. I thought it was amusing anyway, in a morbid kind of way. The tombs were massive...bigger even than that "smallest house in Wales" up near / in Conwy. Or is it Conway? Hmmm. Some of them had been broken into, I'm assuming for looting purposes, and you could see the coffins. One even had a lift inside. Flashy. Anyway, enough about coffins and dead people, it's never been my favourite topic. This time around, I was staying in the San Telmo area - famous for it's bars and restaurants, and antique shops. Needless to say (that's twice now), I headed straight for the latter, and had a ball. I also met up with the bella Renata, who's out here doing her year abroad from Warwick, and who I should be joining tomorrow in Mendoza, for some outdoor pursuits of incredible fun. Or OPIF, if you're short of time. Palermo is another area teeming with bars (not used that one yet), and also an area which saw Farida, Per and I enjoying cocktails until around 5:30am, when I'm afraid I wimped out and had to come home. I know what you're going to say Martyn, but gimme a break. It wasn't soft, just loaded with alcohol. This abuse of alcohol, which you may or may not have picked up on in this particular entry, is what has lead me to decide to go and detox in Mendoza, a town about 1000km West and North of here (North-West). Located close to the feet of some of South Americas highest peaks, Mendoza has a lot to offer, including many mountaineering excursions and other sporting attractions. (I wrote that myself. Maybe I should send it off to Lonely Planet...get my travel writing job lined up ;) ). So anyway, check out the pictures for a giggle and a few "aaahs"....the metal flower thing is apparently open during the day, but then closes at night...only got to see it during the day, but I think I'll live. There's also a photo of Tasha-Lou's latest advertising campaign, I didn't realise it had taken off, dude! Or is she just a look-alike? Uncanny though. And when seen feeling slightly the wprse for wear at 6am, I can assure you it was pretty stupefying. (I've gotta be careful using all these new words, there are still five months left!). That's the last thing...I can't believe how quickly this is all going...three months down already...pretty much...it's saddening, very very saddening. Sniff. Be good to yourselves and one another, hope you're loving Germany, Mum! Jon, get a move on with that email. xxxxxxx