Well I'm now in my final few days of Argentina (I should have been in Bolivia long ago, but I hate the thought of leaving). I spent 5 days in Tucuman with some friends. I think I liked the town even more than Beunas Aires (its a lot smaller with 700,000 people) and could easily have spent a few more weeks enjoying the BEST empanadas in South America. I'm sad to say the old meat pie will never be the same now that I've got a taste for these empanadas. As I'm about to head into Bolivia where a lot of travelers find they part ways with their luggage thanks to the locals, I packed a box to send home with photos and other stuff I don't want to lose. The box is about the size of a shoe box and weighs nothing really. Thanks to the IMF loan conditions again, the newly privitised monopolies of both the postal and telephone systems in Argentina have flourished (well their profits have anyway). To get my little box back home it was going to cost me AUD$85!! Of course everyone is enjoying increased levels of service and efficiency...........hmmmmm. It'll be cheaper to get a bus across to Chile and post it there (which is what I'm going to do). So I'm now in Salta in the north and on Tuesday I'll head across to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) and then into Bolivia. If other countries I visit come close to Argentina for poeple, places and food, then I'm starting a career as a travel writer. Considering the conditions of the country financially, the people still manage to be happy and passionate. The hand shake here is rare, with the hug and kiss on the cheek considered far more appropriate (for men and women). I was a little surprised when my male bus driver in my first day in Argentina planted one on my cheek as I said goodbye. Although I can't quite bring myself to kiss other blokes on the cheek, there is the 'gringo' compromise of a handshake and hug which is perfectly acceptable. A big handshake and hug for Argentina, a very cool country. I'll give you an update from Bolivia soon. Chao