Buenos Aires and Mendoza

Apologies for not updating this blog for almost a month! Someone posted a comment on my Japanese blog, asking me if I'd respond to comments posted here (my English blog). I didn't know there were a few comments waiting for me... I have replied to everyone so far. I'll come back more often!

From last week, I've been traveling in Argentina. After spending four days in Buenos Aires, I am now in Mendoza - an emerging wine country near the border with Chile. Photos from my first few days here have been posted on my Japanese blog if you are interested.

Buenos Aires has definitely some charm. Old colonial buildings and tango dancers in the San Telmo area are quintessential example of BA experience. That said, I was also disappointed with this city.

- Streets are dirty. Garbage is piled up at almost every few blocks (and most garbage bags are cut to open by people who're collecting cans and bottles).
- Too many people smoke.
- Cars are old and thus their emission gas is really black and polluting air badly. After walking outside all day, you'll find blackened booger in your nose!
- Pollen was horrible last week (it's early summer here). I had terrible allergic reaction.
- My B&B in Buenos Aires was a rip off... and I got bed bug bites on my legs and lower back! Yikes!

So being in the "campo" like Mendoza is a big relief for me. Time is slower here (and prices are a bit cheaper than BA... more bang for a buck). Today I will visit a nearby town called Maipu for wine tasting. Oh even in Buenos Aires, wine is cheap and delicious. Wine is the best thing which happened to me in Argentina so far...