10th December

What does one do on a free day in Mendoza? Walk. I must have walked for 4 hours, along tree-lined boulevards in search of the zoo. When I arrived, it was shut. Nothing opens on Mondays in South America - how many times have I forgotten this. It didn't matter, the city is really nice. Smaller than BA and so you don't need to get public transport to go from the lively bit to the green bit to the historic bit etc.

Lunch was tame - dry chicken pie and water and not particularly cheap. The afternon was spent reading the local papers - Simeone has gone to River to coach and it is 35 degrees in Iguazú. Apart from that it is the day of Christina Kirchner's presidential inauguration and the average Argentinian thinks it is a good thing. Crashed out in the park in the afternoon only to be woken by the sound of kids playing football far to near to be relaxing. Nice to see it isn't only England that has horrible chav youths. I glared, in a "Stick it up yer Malvinas" kinda way and ambled off downtown. Bumped into Chris and Ruth. She was as fun and talkative as ever and Chris mentioned something about camera lenses.

Bumped into Charlotte, Shannon and Karen in a an outside cafe. Had coffee while the chicas had ordered the equivalent of the EU chocolate cake mountain, but I suppose travelling means you need the carbs. Nasty English drunk old boy on table next to us but we did our best to ignore him. Mentioned a few restaurants which might be good for dinner. Went to buy some football T-shirts. The kid in the shop was very helpful, especially when I asked him for a River Plate shirt and then he nearly lamped me when I asked for the Boca equivalent in the same size.

It seems Rob wasn't destined to join us and did his own thing for dinner. It also seems the plan of the previous night's clientele has stretched to most of the group. The more the merrier?

Table for 14 in a great restaurant near the park was dinner. They had their own wine shop and a somelier who was very useful and seemed to know his stuff. I shared 3 bottled with Ian and Chris each at 50 pesos (about 8-9 pounds per bottle). The Beaujolais and Lambrini fans who I have yet to convert in my "friend-set" may be choking at the price but they were all excellent - we even had one which was billed "Incan" - you should have seen the bottled date! Probably had a Pachamama stamp of approval as well. The meal itself was excellent. A small starter of olives and then Filet de Mignon for about 8 pounds hardly broke the bank. The veggies were even tucking into the beef with gusto. It was great to see Charlotte enthusing on hers and indeed everyone had something complimentary to say which is both astonishing and encouraging. Jitka wasn't in the party. Had a good chat with Shannon, mi hermanita, about Spain, Spanish and the future, for both of us. Pudding was fruit and ginger ice-cream, "jengibre" not being the easiest word to pronounce after vino tinto.

The downer on the night was paying the bill and seeing the worst side of Chris and his buttock-clenching anal retention. We went straight back after dinner, no extra beers but after the last few days I am happy to take it easy.