Beef bikes and ballet in Buenos Aires

It was beautiful when we landed in Buenos Aires; blue skies for a spring day with the jacarandas in bloom. So after a trouble free transfer we arranged a bike tour of the city (Tip number one) starting just by the hotel in Plaza St Martin. He was a famous general who helped defeat the spanish in argentina and in Bolivia and in Chile with the famous Bernardo O'Higgins.

We took our live in out hands but survived the experience - seeing the Boca football stadium and the famous place where tango began.  

We also exchanged our money on the black market or Dolar Blu as it is known (tip 2). There is even a daily rate on the internet. Basically you find someone saying Cambio, Cambio down any popular street and they take you to a little booth nearby. Youu get 14 pesos to the US dollar as opposed to the official rate of 8.4.

Tip number 3. Go to visit the Teatro Colon, a magnificent theatre  recently renovated and giving a glimpse of just how wealthy BA must have been in the late Victorian & Edwardian times. We had a great guide who burst into song at times to demonstrae the accoustics.  They even had little boxes with grilles across to allow widows (who should have been in deepest mourning) to go the opera without being seen.

The next day was Tango Day with a lesson at the confiteria Ideal - a fading old dance hallwhere you can have lessons upstairs  and in ther afternoon there was a Milonga which was amazing.  It was like a tea dance with ancient peope turning up and changing into their dancing shoes and taking to the floor. There was a much younger woman with skin tight satin trousers a nd a crop top who was keen to dance with the old guys. I just feared for their blood pressure. 

In the evening it was off to  the tango show which was great.  The music was excellent and the dances very spectacular.  A completely different experience (?less authentic) than all the old people dancing tin the afternoon.

BA would not be BA without beef.  I maanaged some kind of steak and malbec every day but the best was El Desnivel which was recommended and certainly not haute cuisine.  Huge steaks done to perfection on the grill and a bottle of wine for £30.

We left plenty of stuff to see if we ever visit again - its a friendly city and easy to get around on the underground. There are bizarre remains of the British influence with names of the streets like Camilla O'Gorman Avenue and the memorial to teh Falkland (sorry make that Malvinhas) war looking across the street at the Tower of the English. 

So at last I've caught up with this blooging Mullarkey but it means being able to get photos from proper camera and iPhone and Verity;s Android to be be on the ipad. Question of the Week - is it better to blog/facebook all the time or just enjoy the trip. We've come a long way from just the odd postcard.  

Preparing for the big trip

Leading up to the big trip there were decisions to be made. Should I buy a kindle or bring along my unread pile of books? -kindle obviously.  Should we use rucksacks or roll along cases? One of each. We'll find which was best along the way. 

The next thing was to sell my lovely but rusting Mazda MX5. I managed to sell via Autotrader to someone in our village 

It's also a good thing to check your insurance. I found out that annual insurance only works for a maximum 31 day trip so it was an extra £250 - ouch!

We were lucky to be able to stay the night before with Richard and Denise near Heathrow and visit Wisley gardens for a late taste of England.  

Then it was just the 14 hour flight to go. 

Only 2 shopping Days Left

Going away has been a great opportunity to shake off the idea that I have plenty of stuff already and don't need to do any shopping. It turns out that there are lots of specialised things I NEED for the trip. I have always liked Rohan stuff but been put off by the high price tag. The technical language and Hi tec fabrics easily seduce me.

Last week I succumbed to shorts designed for everyday use but suitable for biking. Bought with special cushioned pad to go in your knickers. Essential?  Not really but very comfortable. And the knickers?  Specialised Rohan of course. Easy wash and quick dry with silver technology. We only  need 3 pairs (each) for three months. 

So what exactly is a sabbatical Doc?

The notice that was stuck on my door says it all.    Traditionally academics were allowed to go elsewhere every 7 years or so to do research and get fresh ideas.

Some GPs have done this from time to time but it isn't common. The original intention was to take a sabbatical and then return to reduced hours once they had got used to not having me at work but circumstances meant having to leave the trip until now. I managed to write it in to the practice agreement - essentially self funded by me paying a locum while still receiving my income from the practice. Thanks go to Richard Solomons and Lincoln Jowett - local GPs who inspired me to get on and do it.

And since we never know what is around the corner it felt like we should push on and "gather rosebuds while we may".  We may not be able to hike the Inca Trail or rough it on the Bolivian salt flats in a few years.

Having a residue of Catholic guilt it was a little difficult when people heard I was going away for 3 months - will you be working abroad then?  So I had to have some objectives and apart from learning Spanish and building up fitness again, learning how to do a Blog seemed a good idea.  So this is the first shaky start and I hope it will improve.
We set off tomorrow for the great metropolis and you will be able to hear about our adventures and see some stunning photos by Verity - but only if I can work out how to share this.