I went to bed feeling mildly lonely on Friday 5th October 2007. I had a case of the blues. Before my dear friends and family rush to send me messages of condolence (oh go on then.... I like the attention), understand that I am putting the emphasis on MILDLY. A whisky stop ensured that I was sleepy, and with five minutes I was fast asleep within the four flower-wallpapered walls of my hostel room.
And behold! On waking I felt a new sense of excitement! I was refreshed and full of new travelling spirits. It was time to do something new. I was going to book a flight to Mendoza in the West of Argentina for Monday, to begin an adventure fit for a Lord-a-Far-Far. It was time to leave the big cities behind and explore the countryside... alone. With this new realisation my day could only get better.... starting with my shower.
Hostel Ayres Portenos is a quirky themed hostel. I picked it for the sheer tack-value and boy did I get it. The old 19th Century villa is painted from doorframe to locker with tango murals and an occasional characertured model of a milonguero (male tango dancer) leaning over a false balcony or greeting that miserable German lesbian couple at the door.... it sounds foul I am sure (I am not talking about the German lesbian lovers), but it is bright and good fun. The piece de resistance is in the bathroom however. So you want a shower or to go for your daily constitutional (the latter phrase a corker from Donald).... either way you head to the gents, or the ladies, walk into a cubicle and it is all there for you! The sheer pleasure I felt in that little cubicle (no jokes please), and the sense that I have been cheated for 27 years in never having experienced this before..... sitting on the lavatory with the hot showerwater pouring over my feet! Such a joy... you can try this one at home... grab a bucket and fill it with hot water the next time you need to take a seat in the bathroom. Ha! ;-)
Tonight was the night for me to see a tango show in San Telmo. While I sat in Plaza Dorrego with a cerveza watching the sun set while sketching away with a moment of inspiration I stareted to divert from my itinery. I blame the beer. I suspect it was the evil 'wife beater' Stella Artois. I could go to see a tango show on my own. Or, I could try out the bistro below the hostel that is always so busy and have a great piece of steak. Hmm. Guess what I did....
Steak lovers.... if you are like me you know when you have a really great steak. In fact you know that you have had several really great steaks over the years, you just cannot remember where? So there is a Top 10 that you can safely assume your latest amazing steak slots in without having to make the dedicated decision to name it "the best ever". Wow. This steak was incredible... so beautiful in fact that I am dribbling on the space bar... oh and on Alt. Sleeve. There. This steak was thick and tender, moist and the colour of paprika inside.... but the flavour.... like nothing I have had before. Served with a pot of the local chimichurri paste... oil, chilli, thyme... UHH!
I feel so much better for getting that off my chest.... who needs tango anyway?!
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