hannah

Hiall,
well, Ive left south america (boo hoo) and have made it to freezing edinburgh, where its just started snowing, right on cue for my birthday. Bit of a shock after the 32 degree weather in Buenos Aires. Enjoyed my last few days there shopping and shopping, and my friends threw me a mock birthday by taking me to see a musical about the life of Maradonna!!! Funny idea but actually quite boring especially because it was in spanish and there wasnt that many songs, and not a soccer ball to be seen!
So I left the great continent, quite excited about making my way home, but ive come to miss it being over here in the UK. The stark difference between the cultures was so strong as soon as I hopped on the tube from the airport, the people were so quiet and cold (probably more cos of the weather granted!) but it made me miss what I had left behind - city shutdowns for siestas, over helpful workers and taxi drivers who you cant understand, machismo men, glamorous tanned beauties, and of course the prices.
But nevermind, it was an amazing time while I was there and theres always a next time!
So, at the moment Im enjoying the treats of travelling with my father, good food, nice accomodation, and will soon be in a warmer climate again, avian flu and all.
Hope all are well
see you soon
Love Hannah

Welcome to the final chapter of this south american journey! (dont worry, theres still edinburgh, germany and thailand to go!) So Im back in Buenos Aires sweating it out, not only due to the hot hot weather, but also a yucky case of the flu, which I think Im just about over (shown by the fact that I managed to drag myself out of bed to go clothes shopping today - nothing has changed!).
We are here after our trip to Puerto de Iguazu which is right up on the border of Argentina, brazil and Paraguay, where we sat by the pool a lot cos it was soooo hot. Ive got a lovely tan, which Ive never had in my life. It'll probably peel off knowing my luck!
We went to the massive Iguazu Falls which were unbelievably spectacular. Water all around, plummetting over hundreds of different falls down into a valley of mist. Sounds dramatic, and it was. We wandered round looking at the falls from above, halfway down and below, even catching a boat which takes you under the falling water. Got very wet, lots of girly screams, which were captured on video for all to see when I get home!! Havnt seen it yet, but I hope they get the bit where I suddenly stop, dribble and spit cos Im not sure if swallowing the water will give me some horrendous illness! Hopefully not...
So, back in BA where Ill be spending my last few days in South America. Strange feeling leaving SA, feels like I just got here. Such an amazing place, an amazing adventure. Next stop London in a few days to meet dad for my birthday (hint hint if anyone has forgotten!)
Anyway, I'll speak to you very soon from some other continent, not to mention seeing you all soon back home!
Lots of love
H
PS Happy Birthday Alex and Mum XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

hey you have to hit publish.
now for some christmas photos. Grab some knitting friends.

Hi all,
Well, megan, jude and I have all been enjoying a bit of a holiday (!) in the sunshine of Uruguay for the past week...
We left Buenos Aires by ferry, arriving in a town called Colonia. Lovely sea side town, although the water is a nice red mud colour cos of the river that flows into it. So the best activity on offer was a day on the mopeds. Quite a hazard one would have thought, but off you go after they tell you how to make it go, no helmet, let loose onto the streets of this peaceful town. Loads of fun, only Jude having a minor bingle with a parked car...woops!
After Colonia we headed to Punta del Este, a very Sunshine/Gold coasty looking nightmare, full of argentinans on holiday with money to spare. The slogan of this place is 'the most expensive resort in south america'. Yay, so need I say more we headed off the next day to a more relaxed hang out being Punta del Diablo. An old fishing town with dirt roads and lots of Cabanas, this place is the playground of all the young argentinians on holiday. This is fine, although there must be some genetic selection for slim, flat tummied, golden brown bodies in this country in order that they fit just nicely into the g-strings they prance around in.
Us girls all fitted in perfectly wearing our mismatched, relatively nun-like swimsuits/underwear that we managed to scrape together from our dirty backpack collection. Gee can you tell I felt very glamorous! I furthered my professional beach styling by getting really bad sunburn and a prickly heat rash all over my face! Despite this we had a lovely few days walking along the beach, relaxing, reading and watching the beautiful people pass by. One thing I dont get though is the obsession with drinking mate. This is a kind of herb tea that you pack into a cup made of coconut shell or something, and drink using a metal straw-like thing with a filter on the end. EVERYONE walks around carrying their cup and a thermos of hot water for constant top ups, and I mean everyone. In the car, on the beach, in the supermarket, friends, lovers, trendy teenagers, old men on the side of the road...the list goes on. Ive tried the stuff and its just tea!! Anyway, im sure its very cleansing.
We're now in Montevideo, a nice city for wandering, which is good cos its sunday and everything is shut. Its famous for Pizza and icecream which is not good as ive stacked on the kg's since I came away.
Heading back towards Argentina tomorrow, up to Iguazu falls which I cant wait for. Meant to be amazing. Only 2 weeks left in South America though which is strange. Itll be a shock heading to Scotland, speaking english to whoever I please!
Anyway, hope all are well.
Love H

Went to the movies and saw Lord of the Rings last night. Its great when the crowd cheers and claps during the heroic parts, and theres a standing ovation at the end for a black screen and a curtain. Passionate people here!

Further Interesting Names in South America
- Poo Salt
- Mr Cock Child Care

Happy New Year to all! The new year was brought in with style over here in Buenos Aires. Shopping for spunky outfits, fireworks on the roof of the hostel (which you buy from the shop down the road), fancy discos - lots of fun...
Since I last wrote we've been to Bariloche, a beautiful town in the lakes districts surrounded by snowy peaks and, well, lakes. Had a really lovely christmas with the girls, cooking up a feast of roast vegies, steak and a yummy desert of brandy sauce and fruit cake. So nice to talk to all the family on the day, missed everyone a bit but we managed to make the day nice and christmassy so it wasnt too bad.
Hired a car for the day to drive around the lakes. Pretty wierd driving for the first time in 4 months, especially being on the wrong side of the car, but it was easier than I thought. The real struggle was at intersections with absolutely no signage, where some people seem to give way and others dont. We just took it easy and all was well!
So, off to Buenos Aires. Such an unbelievable city, the size of it as I flew in just blew my mind. I think Gran Buenos Aires has about 11 million people, so you can imagine. We settled into our hostel which is on the biggest avenue in the world. It takes about 3 goes to cross the thing! Spent the days before New Year exploring. Its like a beautiful European city, but a bit rough around the edges. Grand government buildings and churches backing onto ugly big seventies concrete blocks. The 'Evita' pink palace has barricades around it, as do many of the banks, with bullet holes in the walls, from the economy crash a few years back.
Great shopping though! Cheap and nice, although generally the biggest sized pants are too small and the extra large jackets have sleeves that are too short. The girls are TINY here, all of them which is wierd. Nevermind, still managed to find a nice outfit for NY along with a few extras!
So, we are off to Uruguay tomorrow on the ferry, sun and beaches which should be nice.
Hope all are well
H