Goodbye Argentina

Today I finally picked up my Mexican visa after a record-setting two months' waiting! In a few hours we'll fly to Mexico City, spend two days there before heading to Cancun and Maya Riviera. It's hard to believe it's been almost two months since we first set foot on Argentina, the uncertainty and anxiety has long turned into familiarity. We'll have to start the whole learning process again - new country, new currency, new people...

Part of Argentine culture is still a mystery to me. Like i still can't understand how Argentines can sip mate (a hot drink that's very similar to tea) and carry a thermo around in a 40C weather! Like i finally know the long line outside the kiosco (little booth or convenience store) are people waiting to pay utility bill (hello? online bill pay? credit card?) Like the midnight maniac at bus terminal to catch a night bus. it's not for the faint hearted. But people are so friendly, they are passionate for many things, tango, futbol, good food, good nightlife, and certainly proud of their country.

Taking a long distance bus in Argentina is a constant challenge. After coming back to Buenos Aires last week, we took an overnight bus to visit Cordoba, the second largest city in Argentina.The bus terminal in Buenos Aires is lively 24/7. Bus companies in Argentina operate independently from each other. The endless counters in bus terminal offer somewhat similar but slightly different routes and services and depending on which part of the country you are going there are zones servicing that particular area, buses come and go from endless platforms, loudspeakers broadcasting up-to-the-minute information, people walking fast with their backpacks. It took us a while to comprehend how the whole thing works! Then there's the almost guaranteed delay. An attendant actually has to go around and stick an A4 size paper with the correct departure time on the windshield of each bus. It wasn't an easy task to get on our first long distance bus but we did it!

Cordoba is famous for its colonial architecture. The city center has some nicely planned pedestrian walk. It makes visiting the historic buildings easy and enjoyable. It's also where Ernesto "Che" Guevara spent his adolescent years and the house is a museum now . I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Our last few days in Buenos Aires was mostly running errands. We sent away 15kg worth of belongings back to the bay area (thanks Anne!), mostly winter clothes that we won't need in the coming months. Now I have so much more space in my backpack! More space means i can finally expand my "wardrobe". :) I am looking forward to not wearing the same thing over and over. :) I also finally had some decent Chinese food in Chinatown, pork chop rice, sour and spicy soup, winter melon tea! it was divine!