Let the Games Begin!

Dear Readers,

Reporting from Salta, this is your gringo Fausto. As you might guess I am reunited with my travelling compadres and they are well on their way to a recovery from the sicknesses that set them back. GREAT SUCCESS! After 9 days in Cordoba I feel recharged and we are all heading tonight to the border of Argentina and Bolivia, where we will take a train tomorrow afternoon to finally set our travelled soles on the land of cheap dynamite and even cheaper slaves.

After spending a relaxing week in suburbs of Cordoba I was asked what I didn´t like about the place. At first nothing came to mind, but after thinking about it I realised that there wasn´t much I didn´t like, except for one thing that stuck out. The way the people of Cordoba operate, in their tightly-knit social circles is a cause for concern. I found myself thrown quickly into their ways. For example, I went to a friend´s house for dinner (a delicious asado) and it seemed that almost ALL the conversation revolved around other people are and what they are doing. Literally everyone knows what everyone else it up to at all times. Intricate details. It felt like I was living in a soap opera (they call them Novella), and the whole thing isn´t a very novel concept for them. When I finally answered their question, they were surprised and clearly unaware of the Cordoba 90210 situation they are thriving in. But honestly, besides that, I am in love with that city and I hope to go back as soon as life allows me.

I must also mention a particular taxi ride that I will never forget. Gusti and I had gone out for a big night in the student part of town, following some proper fernet indulging at his big night Previa (preview). At 8:30, properly innebriated, we decided it was time to head home. We get in the taxi, and the guy, wearing a serious Crew-cut headstyling, puts on his Neo-shades and hits the meter when we mumble an address. His car honestly had the best sound system, I think Fiddycent would be jealous, and he BLASTED reggaeton, which is this ridiculous music that they thoroughly enjoy in Argentina. The guy must have been an ex-rally driver because he was hitting 100km/h on short strips of street, dodging cars furiously and the whole time keeping his ridiculous marine cool while the music pumped. The best part was that he had a photo of his baby (I guess about 6 months old) on the visor, positioned perfectly for his unsuspecting clients to admire. Very sweet and all, but the collection of flesh resulted in the ugliest baby I think ever produced by man. Maybe he was hiding his embarresment behind his Neo Shades. Nevertheless, we arrived in great time and in fits of laughter. Classic.

As for the rest of the time spent, I managed to fit in some bike riding, a great football game with locals, a squash game, far too much eating and far too much CNN watching. The exercise was well needed. Tried working on my rookie status too (here´s to you Rory).

Speaking of Reggaeton (which I actually thoroughly enjoy too, I´ll admit it) there is a very popular singer in Argentina who goes by the name Nigga. Shocked, I asked around, and No one knew the proper significance of his name. I just got a couple of, "Yeah, I love Nigga!"´s. The best part is that he is white.

Moving on to FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS: Steve and I have finally begun our Beard Race. What is this all about, you might ask? Well, after cleanly shaving our ridiculously manly faces yesterday, we have officially begun regrowing our facial hair (I´m growing mine as I type this; take that Steve!) and this competition will ultimately tell who is the manliest man of the backpackers. We will update everynow and again to get feedback from our avid readers. The first segment is "Who needs a beard more?". We let the public decide; so get deciding! (Nads is threatening to stop shaving her legs and underarms; I personally have nothing against this)

Ciao,

The (not so rookie) Rookie

PS: Stated in the Official Rules of Beard Racing, soul patches are inconsequential given the class of Beard we are matching up.

Let the games begin.

VS