Argentinian experience

I'm sitting quietly in a bar ... with wireless internet access (and a nearby power point) and very thankful for this tiny (and often frustrating) laptop.

I've just had a visit from a young girl, who'd only be about 6 or 7 ... trying to sell a handful of socks and stockings. Last night we had a couple of young kids in the restaurant around 11pm (one was about 10 and he had his arm around a younger boy about 4 or 5) ... they were just asking for money. Restaurant owners seem to tolerate them for a short while and then usher them to the door.

Sad to see kids out in the streets and bars like that....

The Artesan shops have many of the same items as Peru and Chile ... (maybe) alpaca jumpers, scarves, beanies etc ... but there's also a lot of leather, slightly different ceramics, silver aand jewellery. They also don't seem to enter into haggling so much, although it does happen on the more expensive items. I usually think I should have bought things ... after we leave a place. I like to look at things, but I'm not much of a shopper, really. Does that surprise anyone?

Our hotel is right on the Plaza, where there is a magnificient Cathedral. it's painted pink and pale yellow, it looks spectacular all lit up at night, but while we have been here it has been full of large groups of school students. Groups flood into the plaza and then into the Cathedral - not sure how long they stay, but we've seen them going in in the morning, and throughout the day and even around 5pm. So we've been in a couple of times to check it out .... it is really spectacular - no photos sorry, and the singing that we've heard (with responses from students) is very moving.

Shopping here is interesting. Not sure what time shops open up as we haven't been up early - our room has no external window or light source, but everything seems to shut around 1pm or so and doesn't re-open until 5.30pm - then they are open until about 9 or 10pm. Difficult to get used to.

Tomorrow we have a wine tour planned ...mmmm should be good.

Peace and quiet has just been disturbed by loud bangs, rhythmic drumming and whistling. A small group of people in costume protesting .... about tourism I think.... Something to follow up on later