Buenos Aires is not the best place for relaxing. It is a vibrant city known to be more European than South American. The tango, steak, futbol, the passionate attitudes of local people all contribute to it's charm.

On our first night we went to a live show called 'La Bomba de Tiempo'.It was an outdoor stage where about fifteen musicians were playing various types of percussion instruments. Each musician has a chance to condunt the group and as a result you get a great variation of beats, rhythm and style.

One of the nights (Oct 26) three of us decided to head to one of BAs famous steak restaurants - La Cabrera. As it was a Wednesday evening I presumed that it would have been a quite night. Our hour and half wait outside on the street proved me wrong. The complimentary champagne and chorizo kept me sweet though. Clearly the Maitre d' could have told the crowd of twenty or so people waiting around that the second sitting would be about 10:30. but alas crowds only make a place look more popular eh?

Still though the food was definitely worth the wait. Great cuts of steak and sides such as spinach with cheese and pureed pumpkin made it difficult for me to put my fork down. Throw in a bottle of red a bill that barely dented a backpackers budget it was a success. Shanahan's on the Green could learn a thing or two from this place!

As a tourist in this city it is a bit futile to try and get to the best of the nightlife off your own back. This is where the necessary evil of hostel parties come in. However sometimes it can be a bit challanging. For example when a guy working in the hostel is trying to persuade me to go out becuase there is a free shot or girls there. I think im old enough now not to get giddy at the promise of the above.

The idea of 'organised fun' irritates me but in fairness it has worked out well most of the time. Like anywhere in the world you have good and not so good nights. One thing of note is that everything in Argentina is delayed by about three hours. Siesta lasts all afternoon, dinner is at ten not seven, and you wouldnt even think of going to a club before two am. As a result things generally don't finish up till the sun comes up.

Fortunately I will be returning to BA in about a month so I will get the chance to check out all the other sights of this great city.