21st December

Hmm, the bank balance isn't looking as healthy as I had hoped, so I ducked out of the Canyon Tour (let's face it it isn't going to beat Colca Canyon!). Instead I had a fruitless search for a hairdresser and walked the streets of San Cristobal until my feet ached.

The others got back about 3pm and after a snooze I was ready for dinner. Leslie chose a Thai restaurant which served great samosas, green curry and a few cheeky Kalis (Thai cocktails). Most of the group went straight back after the meal (Mikey is ill with a post-hangover cold, the others are just lame). Victoria, Beth, Jackie, Shahela and I played Pictionary on the paper tablecloths of the restaurant while sitting next to a roaring fire and for a minute you could be fooled into thinking it was Christmas-time. I have also had more luck with Secret Santa. There are now 13 out of 15 who want to do it which is great so I will have at least one present to open on XMas day after our ride to Mérida. The 2 who didn't want to participate were Johanna (think I might have called her Suzanna before) and a Chinese girl called Linda - both are uptight and need to chill. I also found out that the other Chinese-US girl is called Ning and not Ling, so just to recap the Asian contingent is...

Nok, Ing, Ning - I shit you not.

We toddled off to a really nice wine bar for a glass of Malbec before meeting up with Leslie (who had been dragged out of bed by the girls). The waitress in the bar was from Italy and therefore by definition I had to fancy her.

The bar shut at 0030 and so the "Music bars" were the only option. I walked to the main street with the girls but when I saw the place they wanted to go to I did a "News of the World reporter" and made my excuses and left. I don't really see the point of going to bars where it is so dark you can't see the person opposite you and so loud you can't hear them speak. I am now officially my dad. Good night.