Where in the world is Lani?

Hi everyone

I am seriously having the time of my life over here! I can´t believe how lucky I am to be here and experiencing so many wonderful places, new things & meeting so many wonderful people!

I arrived back in Buenos Aires (Bs As) after a wonderful week in the patagonian district of Bariloche last Friday, thinking I had seen Bs As in total the first time round when Angie and I first arrived in Argentina - but I was wrong!

I arrived at my hostel, thinking it would be full of Aussies and Brits like usual, but to my surprise, I was the only "english as a 1st language" traveller there! I met 2 new friends for life on my first night back - Valter from Chile (who speaks Spanish, Portugese & a bit of English) and Caina from Brazil (who speaks Portugese, a little Spanish and a little English). Between us, we spoke a mixed language of Spanglishese! It was brilliant practice for my Spanish, Valter´s english and Caina´s Spanish & English. We spent the next 3 days together, exploring the city like 3 muskateers & had so much fun and tonnes of laughs. Some highlights include....

• Going to the Museo of Bella Artes in Bs As and seeing some funky Argentinian art

• Recoleta Markets - the biggest and best markets in Argentina. My bargainning skills are improving rapidly!

• Boca Juniors  vs Independiente futbol match. Awesome. Scary. Men without shirts.

• San Telmo fair, free tango in the streets and then a great meal with Val & Caina drinking Quilmes (beer) all night & shooting the breeze in Spanish (wow)

• Amazing professional Tango show in Bs As Central Theatre for $AUD5

• Great empañadas and food from local places that I wouldnt have tried before. And the Quilmes - Argentine beer. Its bloody brilliant!

Most of all, the biggest highlight has been meeting so many beautiful people over the last 4 days. I am shocked that I am able to have disjointed BUT meaningful conversations in Spanish with people now - telling them about my life, family, past & future! Its so surprising how a few weeks can change your life.

Lani