Got acquainted with the other hostel residents and then took taxi into town to the Spanish School. We are blind. It was directly across the street from our coordinates of a day earlier. Got an assessment and found out that we know nothing (duh) so we start on Monday for a week of Spanish classes. Got to meet Gus after classes were out. Went for beer and met a fellow classmate of Gus', James. Took a bus back to the hostel for $1.25pesos. Went to dinner and got totally ripped off. Told the waiter we were hungry and got a seafood stew for 2 for $155pesos. The bowl was not enough for 1 let alone 2 and was mostly Mussels (cheap seafood) and then they wanted to charge a service charge for the bread, with no butter… I bitched, ripped up the check and threatened to walk out, security was brought in and I got the service fee taken off the bill, NO TIP.. Not impressed. Appears to be expensive in BA so will have to watch.
November 25, 2010
Got ready for Javier and removed our wheels. He arrived and took the tires to a tire shop for re and re. We went for a walk to get more money to pay for the tires and lodging. Installed the tires. New chain and sprocket went on Michael's bike. His were still serviceable so we kept them in case of emergency, down the road. 2pm we left Dakar Moto for down town. GPS sent us in the wrong direction and we finally got back on track. Road into downtown Buenos Aires to GPS coordinates of Spanish school where we are to meet Gus (BCer from McBride area, Javier gave us his email) couldn't find school so got dinner and headed to, Uli and Annaleen's recommended hostel. Boy is this town large, hot and difficult to drive in. Had to play local, split lanes, ride around buses and taxis.
November 24, 2010
Had breakfast with Uli and Annaleen, chatted with Javier after he arrived and said our goodbyes to Uli and Annaleen. They are heading to Ushuaia from here and are meeting Annaleen's parents in Puerto Arenas in the middle of December. We may see them on our way down. Javier and I had lots to talk about and after he left to go paint his house, Michael and I went for a walk to get cash and find a bike wash. Found both and took our bikes for a bath. 30 pesos each to have the bikes pressure washed and hand cleaned. Nice to have clean bikes. Met Sandra when they came to the shop that evening, had a nice visit.
November 23, 2010
Rode to Buenos Aires today to Dakar Moto. Just getting into town, highway traffic was stopped due to a double murder on the freeway of police. Turns out that robbers tried to rob an armored vehicle and ended up killing 2 police. Traffic was stopped so we weaved our way off the highway and stopped at a gas station for a pop and to regroup. After watching many local motorcyclists weave their way through traffic, we gain the courage and head out knowing that we were about 2kms from the road closure. After an hour of the 4 of us playing locals and jumping curbs, rubbing fenders with our panniers and squeezing through holes in the traffic too small for most, we get back onto the highway and proceed to Dakar Moto. Arrived after 6pm and Javier was waiting for us.
November 22, 2010
Got on the road early after a crappy breakfast that was supposed to be included, but the hostess wanted to charge us extra. Said no and left. Looked like rain and a couple of times heavy mist on the windshield, then the clouds started lifting. The day got continually better. Stopped for pics and a pee and 2 touring bikers passed us going in the same direction, we waved, they stopped, we met and road with Uli and Annaleen from Germany for the next 2.5 days. Great people, starting a 2 year trip around the world. Ended up in Federal for the night, over 750kms today.
November 21, 2010
This morning, don't feel to well cause 1 too many Martinis. Met with Scott and Claire for coffee, then set off for Buenos Aries. Went through Iquazu Falls National Park over some good Ripia road. (Dirt). Got to do our own jungle tour. Later in the day, it started to rain. Got totally soaked and stopped in San Pedro. Hotel overcharged us for a small room, but we were wet and hungry, so we accepted. Seemed like everyone in this town was charging too much.
November 20, 2010
Got an email from Scott and Claire, they were in Iguazu Falls as well. We emailed back. Hung around today and did some blogging and laundry. Scott showed up at our Hotel late in the evening. Got caught up and had a few Martinis with him.
