Mar del Plata

The journey to Mar del Plata wasn’t a long one relatively speaking and the views from the window were pleasant with vast open expanses of grassy fields filled with cows and horses and clear light blue skies and wispy clouds. After an hour or so we were driving alongside the coast and this allowed for lovely sea views with a distinct contrast of blues between sea and sky. Eventually on the horizon appeared a city along the coastline which grew bigger and bigger until we were in it. This was Mar del Plata a large and attractive coastal city which was clearly a popular holiday destination for the Argentines as the place was absoplutely buzzing. On arrival at our hostel, it appeared we had picked a very cental location as we were on the main pedestrian street and our room was overlooking the busiest street in the city with sounds of music and people coming loudly through our window. The room was a fairly good size with comfy, clean looking beds, lockers, good wifi connection and plug sockets so I was content. It consisted of two bunk beds, 3 beds of which were taken by us but we appeared to have another guest as well as there was a bag on the bed but no sign yet. After walking around for a little while, we decided to inquire about hiring a car to get to Ushuaia which turned out would be far too expensive so we bought bus tickets instead. By this time we were all a bit sick of the sight of each other so we all separated to eat. On return to the hostel I met our other room mate, a nice guy who was on his holidays with a bunch of other guys from Argentina. After a while of internet use on my bed I heard some extremely loud bangs outside which turned out to be fireworks. When I asked our roommate why this was he told me it was international day of tourism of something so there were many people and fireworks and music entertainment down on the beach. I was all ready for bed with my PJ bottoms on already but when he asked if I wanted to join him and his friends down at the beach to watch this music and drumming group and the fireworks I jumed at the chance and quickly got redressed.

I followed him through to the back of the hostel where they had a kitchen and outdoor roof terrace area where we were joined by 6 others only one of whom spoke good Englsih so it was good for me listening and being able to practice with them although at times because of the rapidity and strange accents I was quite lost although I was quite pleased at what I understood when they spoke to me because they spoke to me they spoke a little slower.

They were drinking a drink that I had never heard of but apparently is very famous in Argentina and was very strong at 48% in a mixture with coke and immediately invited me to join them pouring me a drink and asking me lots of questions which I must’ve been hearing and answering correctly as there were nods of heads and continuation of conversation although whenh I got really stuck I’d ask the one who spoke English to translate for me. They were a very friendly bunch and full of energy and by around 1am I figured we weren’t going to the beach to watch the music as we’d clearly missed it but I didn’t mind because I was enjoying getting to know the guys and they had been very kind in inviting me to drink with them and sharing their drink with me. Then they started talking about champagne and when I asked if they were going to buy some, it turned out that they had already bought 3 bottles and were in the fridge so after finishing the strong bottle of Argentine spirits out popped the champagne although they were mixing it with an energy drink and ice which I thought was rather strange but I wasn’t going to object to their kind gestures. By this time it was nearly 3 and they were discussing which bar to go to and since I was enjoying myself I agreed to go along when they finally made up teir minds where they were going and off we went a few kms away to a nightclub which was a cool place and I very much enjoyed the regaeton beats and continuation of drinking and dancing. It turned out to be a great night and they were a great bunch and a lot of fun to be around as they all seemed to fill me with so much energy. They certainly knew how to have a good time!

Getting out of the club at 6am I was feeling the fatigue but in the knowledge that we weren’t leaving the place until 7.30 in the evening I didn’t mind too much as I could lie in a little.

I woke at around 11 so caught a little sleep but Lee and Steve were packed and ready and since checkout was in an hour I thought I should get my ass in gear as well and go out perhaps to the beach since it was a lovely day out or do a little sightseeing as judging by the annnoted map there were quite a few to see so I jumped out of bed and off I went.

I found out that the others had already headed to the beach so I went off in search for them but in my tired hungover state I wasn’t in the mood for a wild goose chase so after a half hearted search for them down the beach and my swimming trunks being locked in a room with the rest of my luggage I decided to do some sightseeing. From the beach in the distance I could see a nice looking castle turret and fort and sea wall so I headed for that and got some great photos of it and of the view of the beach from it’s slightly higher vantage point. I then walked down a little to some large statues of walruseswhich seemed to be popular with the tourists so I got a few snaps and headed to the cathedral which unfortunately was undergoing repair so had scaffolding on the front but I could tell from the steeple and the sides that it was a very ornate and attractivechurch. The cathedral was in front of a pleasant park which I enjoyed walking through snapping away at anything that took my facny although by this time I had walked a good couple of miles and was tired, hungover and hungry so I headed back to the hostel to see if the others had returned. I must be keeping myself quite fit with all this walking and exploration but I’m very much enjoying seeing places on foot and can’t wait for Bariloche (our next destination) as according to my new Argie friends it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth and according to an Englsih friend back home who has been before, it is an amazing place for hiking. Just a shame I didn’t bring my hiking boots (looks like the flip flops might be out then!)

On return to the hostel, there was no sign of Steve or Lee although eventually Steve turned up and was quickly bored. My new friends were up and already uploading the photos from the previous night, showing me the ones of me and the rest of us in our drunken states! They invited me to join them at the beach and by this time Lee had also turned up so I left Lee and Steve at the hostel to go to the beach with them and once again immerse myself in the rapid speaking collouquial castellano and again at times I was lost in the group conversation but nevertheless enjoyed being amongst my new friends. For the rest of the day we walked to the beach, shared fruit smoothies, caiprinhas and played table football which I very much enjoyed. I was going to miss this bunch and for their energy, generosity and patience when I couldn’t understand although I had to go as time was getting on and an 18 hour bus journey lay ahead of us.

Now on the bus, it’s all good, plenty of space, meals, drinks, movies even pillows and blankets! Although one would expect these things when travelling for 18 hours!