Well iberia is rubbish - no food or drinks on the first leg to Madrid and then had to sit the middle on the jumbo so no leg room - thankfully since arriving things are definitely improving.

The hostel arranged a transfer from the airport found the driver holding my name card no worries got to the hostel within 1 hour of touch down so really pleased. Made it in time for breakfast at the hostel - so stocked up on my fruit. After a wash and brushup I headed out around the local neighbourhood - San Telmo it is all cobbles and antique markets a lot like portabello road, wandered all the way along and continued up to Plaza de Mayo,(see photos) it's one of the main squares of the city.

The whole place is built as a grid, 100m square blocks so really eay to navigate. Called in at a cafe for a coffee and toasted sandwich (the bill was less than 2.50)

Think i'm going to have an hours kip and then head out to watch tango in the square at 6pm have a glass of wine and then head out to dinner at LaBrigande steak is suppose to be amazing there - so thought i'd start the holiday as i mean to go on.

First impressions are cosmopolitian but in a faded way and very dilapidated pavements are as bad as Bangkok.

Very little traffic although all the roads are wide 4 - 6 lanes. THe amount of people is also very surprising very few people about generally in comparison to London - it's great. Feel just as safe as in London, the men are pretty vocal about appreciation but not in an intimidating way, just making a fuss about holding open doors and stepping aside on the narrow pavements in an exagerrated manner. I reckon the cowboy boots were a great idea - i look like a local,especially as i brought my shoulder bag as a handbag so i don't have a rucksack screaming tourist!

Right off to have a kip and then out to enjoy the wine and steak!

Love Gem xxx