Argentina

I can´t remember what they refer to as ´The City That Never Sleeps´, but it should be Buenos Aires. This place can make even the most eager of beavers feel slack (imagine what it does to ME). It is an awesome city. But as I look back through my pictures, I don´t think that I´ve actually done much over the past couple of weeks. Spent a couple of nights at the famous hostel called the Milhouse. It is a cool spot, but way too many rules for this weary traveller. After they woke me up at 11:00 in the morning to ´let me know´ that I had to get out and that there were not beds left, I politely swore off Milhouse for good. Instead, I have been staying in another hostel Casa Zoola, which has awesome cool people running it, and it doesn´t come with any of the red tape (Milhouse actually had a thumb scanner for identifying guests. You know a hostel is making too much money when.....). I know that 11:00 in the morning doesn´t exactly sound early to you gamefully employed types, but you have to realize that we don´t even head out until 3:00am here. Pretty strange, but it´s amazing how easily I adjusted. I´ve definitely never been accused of being a morning person. In fact, mornings actually make me miserable. There, I said it.

The greatest highlight of BA has been hooking up with my awesome friend Monique that I met in Colombia. Always great to see somebody you know. We´ve been heading out hitting a couple of bars, eating some cheap steaks, and enjoying some fine Argentinian wines. Sounds rough eh. This city has a little bit of everything. Very European feeling.......you would never know that you are in Latin America. I also went and checked out a town called Rosario (have been hanging out with the English contingent.....Emma, Zoe, Laura and Harriot). This little city (1M people) definitely confirms that Argentina does indeed have some of the best looking women in the world. And they all have an affinity for wearing tight pants.....which I hope catches on in N. America soon. Was also a pretty fun town. Hit a bar called New Mystic, and then another giant club called Madame.

I tried to find some kind of monument for the Pan am games, but there were none to be found. As most of you know, Argentina was home to the 1995 Pan Am games where a certain sister of mine won a Bronze medal!!! Yeah baby.

One adjustment that had to be made for Argentina was this whole kissing on the cheek thing....and no Colin, I'm not talking about the fine local women. It is actually customary for the men to kiss here. It definitely took some getting used to. Thankfully Monique would give me the heads up on who the locals were and who weren't.....to avoid any unneccesary smooching.

The one really cool thing that I DID do that was picture worthy in BA, was go wakeboarding (like water skiing, except with a snowboard looking thingy). Yeah baby!!! Monique has a local friend here named Mariano who has his own boat. It was amazing, and absolutely beautiful. Monique, Laura, Mariano and I, armed with some food, a volleyball, some cards, and lots of ambition, cruised around through the canals and river systems here in Argentina. We docked the boat for a while and had a picnic, and then it was time to hit the water. I was first off. To my own surprise, I actually got up on only the 3rd try (we´re talking about wakeboarding here). Had a wipeout the first time the rope went slack....but after that I was off to the races. We took a rest for a while, hit the beach, played some v-ball, some beers, then got back in the water. I actually managed to land my first jump. It was about six feet in the air.........or apparently from the angle of the people on the boat, it looked just under a foot. Regardless, it still drew a large roar from the women in the crowd........all both of them.

To say that I was sore the next day would be somewhat of an understatement. Every once in a while, I get this less the subtle reminder that I'm not 20 anymore. Had an amazing day. The videos didn´t turn out, but got some aweseme pics. Even threw in a little air guitar for all you air guitar enthusiasts out there. Enjoy.

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