(Picture of Shyama which sums up our experience of the poor food quality).
Love Buenos Aires! Wish we could have stayed here longer. You need atleast 4 or 5 days to enjoy this city.
The Hostel Estoril was fantabulous!! Besides the noise factor in our room which was facing the main road, it was a great place to stay.
We spent all day wondering around Buenos Aires trying to find tiketek. That was quite an adventure as the only words of spanish we seem to know or use are "si (yes) and gracias (thank you)". Anyway after much wondering around from place to place we managed to find tikatek. The only problem, as we have found over and over again was the fact that the bookings officer didnt know a word of english. We finally booked a tango and dinner show not realising that "Cena" means dinner. But as fate would have it it was all worth it. The Tango show has been the highlight of my trip so far and Shyama has some fantastic footage and photos which you will see later. I strongly recommend any visitors to check out the San Telmo area that has most of the tango bars. We went to a show at Taciendo and I absolutely loved the music and dancing and absolutely hated the food. So far Sth America has measured up to it´s reputation of having really really bad food, especially for vegetarians. Although, we found a vegetarian all you can eat restaurant in Buenos Aires called Bodhi which was great! The only half decent food I have eaten so far.
While leaving Buenos Aires, I left my mark at the airport. Let me explain. So far both Shyama and myself each have encountered really really really bad food at certain places and we tend to laugh it off-partly because in most cases we don´t know what we are ordering since everything is in spanish, but also because we came with low expectations. But this went too far. Airports usually charge 10 times the usual price for a sandwich anyway. I ordered a foccaccia because in the picture it looked good (Tip: never judge the food by it´s picture- even though its difficult since you cant judge it based on the written menu without knowing the language). So when I ordered it, they brough out a dried up, stale, shrivelled so called foccacia, which was costing me about $9 or 10 AUD. Shyama and I looked at it and couldnt help but laugh out loud. She was so amused that she even took a photo of it (u will c it later). I took a bite but it was completely inedible so i went up to the counter to complain. Again, very interesting when you don¨t speak the language. But overall I think it translated and they were going to give me a fresh one, instead they sent me a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich (which costs about $5AUD). I didn´t say anything since I assumed they had no fresh ingredients for the focaccia and I am trying not to be fussy...lol. The toasted sandwich was edible. When the bill came out however, the lady had charged me for the focaccia instead of the sandwich- overcharging by about $4 which is a lot when you are travelling, but more so if you havent been give the food you are paying for. Then she was being a total beeeyatch and saying its not her problem that i ordered the focaccia and returned it. So the story goes on and Shyama was by my side the whole time- the righteous side..lol. Eventually Shyama and I were the last people to board our flight because of this little incident. We finally got the right change after much argument with 2 different counterhands. Uff! What an ordeal. I have a feeling that I can proudly say I have tasted food with not only Australian spit, but possibly even Argentinian spit..lol.
Our theme song for this trip has been decided - DONT WORRY BE HAPPY! Lyrics are currently being brainstormed.
Adios
Jag.
The Hostel Estoril was fantabulous!! Besides the noise factor in our room which was facing the main road, it was a great place to stay.
We spent all day wondering around Buenos Aires trying to find tiketek. That was quite an adventure as the only words of spanish we seem to know or use are "si (yes) and gracias (thank you)". Anyway after much wondering around from place to place we managed to find tikatek. The only problem, as we have found over and over again was the fact that the bookings officer didnt know a word of english. We finally booked a tango and dinner show not realising that "Cena" means dinner. But as fate would have it it was all worth it. The Tango show has been the highlight of my trip so far and Shyama has some fantastic footage and photos which you will see later. I strongly recommend any visitors to check out the San Telmo area that has most of the tango bars. We went to a show at Taciendo and I absolutely loved the music and dancing and absolutely hated the food. So far Sth America has measured up to it´s reputation of having really really bad food, especially for vegetarians. Although, we found a vegetarian all you can eat restaurant in Buenos Aires called Bodhi which was great! The only half decent food I have eaten so far.
While leaving Buenos Aires, I left my mark at the airport. Let me explain. So far both Shyama and myself each have encountered really really really bad food at certain places and we tend to laugh it off-partly because in most cases we don´t know what we are ordering since everything is in spanish, but also because we came with low expectations. But this went too far. Airports usually charge 10 times the usual price for a sandwich anyway. I ordered a foccaccia because in the picture it looked good (Tip: never judge the food by it´s picture- even though its difficult since you cant judge it based on the written menu without knowing the language). So when I ordered it, they brough out a dried up, stale, shrivelled so called foccacia, which was costing me about $9 or 10 AUD. Shyama and I looked at it and couldnt help but laugh out loud. She was so amused that she even took a photo of it (u will c it later). I took a bite but it was completely inedible so i went up to the counter to complain. Again, very interesting when you don¨t speak the language. But overall I think it translated and they were going to give me a fresh one, instead they sent me a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich (which costs about $5AUD). I didn´t say anything since I assumed they had no fresh ingredients for the focaccia and I am trying not to be fussy...lol. The toasted sandwich was edible. When the bill came out however, the lady had charged me for the focaccia instead of the sandwich- overcharging by about $4 which is a lot when you are travelling, but more so if you havent been give the food you are paying for. Then she was being a total beeeyatch and saying its not her problem that i ordered the focaccia and returned it. So the story goes on and Shyama was by my side the whole time- the righteous side..lol. Eventually Shyama and I were the last people to board our flight because of this little incident. We finally got the right change after much argument with 2 different counterhands. Uff! What an ordeal. I have a feeling that I can proudly say I have tasted food with not only Australian spit, but possibly even Argentinian spit..lol.
Our theme song for this trip has been decided - DONT WORRY BE HAPPY! Lyrics are currently being brainstormed.
Adios
Jag.
10 comments:
LMAO !! u guys r crazy!! ...but good on u 4 arguing back and making ur mark. Keep posting...very impressed this blog is still alive :)
Hi Ladies,
I have been reading your blog since you left but too shy to write in it myself. : )
I am living vicariously through you guys so keep us posted...shyams..makesure you write as well...cos Jag won't tell us the full story like the quirky things she does or her flirt stories : )
I miss our bush walks although I just came a couple of times...I hope all the training pays off.
$10 for if you figure out who I am Jak.
haha jag! go get em...
im so glad u guys are using the blog...its a great way to keep an interactive journal!
keep flirting, dancing and trying those new exotic foods (or not!).
and remember:
you cant judge a book by its cover.
you cant judge a food by its picture.
but you CAN judge a man by his salsa! lol
Hey Jag
Espero que te diviertas tu viaje por América latina. (I hope you enjoy your trip through Latin America).
Seeing as you have minimal Spanish speaking skills, if you need directions or information from someone, first ask,
¿Hablas inglés? - do you speak English, or alternatively if need be, you could ask
¿Hay alguien aqui que hable inglés? - Is there anyone here that speaks english?
By the way the h in spanish is silent.
if you want you could ask if anyone speaks hindi (just replace inglés with hindi), but I think the chances of anyone in Latin America speaking Hindi are slim to none.
If you need anymore help just ask.
Cheers
Camma
hey jag,
guess what?? Jack is back...i miss u while Akhil and me watched the first four episode i dont what to say... have fun and enjoy urself.. and please keep updating ur blog as u r doing...take care..
Hey guys!
Got an sms from Shyama that you had finished the trek! Awesome you survived...not that I ever doubted you.
I love this blog and so glad you keep updating it. Can't wait to see all the photos.
Make sure you also write about the trek...
Bye for now!
Selvi
Hello, calling from Earth...are any of you guys going to update the blog??!!! I haven't heard anything about the trek...all I know is you and Shyama are sick!
In the mean time people...let us keep writing messages to the two stooges.
LuvPrag
yeah cmon want to know more about the trek...altho hope you guys aren't too sick :o(
Please write asap.
Selvi
JAG WRITES:
Hey guys, thanks so much for all the messages. It really keeps me going. I am missing home sooo much- which is a rather strange feeling for me.
Prag- I am glad you finally wrote and do keep writing. Dev - you are right about the salsa - I miss my salsa dancer especially here in Cuba.
Camma- what a surprise. Great to hear from you and thanks for the tips. We have picked up a little spanish and are definately using your phrases. The problem is- most people don't speak english and the ones that say they do, know english like we know spanish...lol. the funniest is when Shyama and I ask them something in spanish like where is the bank and they reply in fast spanish- so basically we have no idea what the reply is....but so far we have survivde. Brasil will be another ball game altogether!
Selvi-really happy that you are checking the blog too-will fill you in on the trek-just to summarise-glad we are still alive. Ravi- I miss you guys too and can't believe you are watching 24 without me.
Keep writing everyone.
Love JAG
P.S. MARSHIE!!!- you should have told us to take the train to Macchu Pichu...*sob*
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