This city is even deader than Santiago at this time of year. And by dead I mean about 3-5 times more hectic than Toronto. Everyone is on vacation down here and it's even worse on Sunday when the city just shuts down. I mean, it was like some post apocalyptic scenario with nary a car to be seen, and only the odd tourist on the quiet, empty corridors of downtown BA.

I´ve been trying to organize my thoughts and impressions of the city but am finding it difficult. The city doesn´t have the novelty and excitement of my first trip here, but there is a sense of homecoming in a way. An understanding of the city or a resonance with the surroundings. I don´t have the fear I had two years ago, when for the first time I was completely on my own.

I plan on checking into a possible daytrip to Rosario, but it might not be in the cards, because the city shuts down on Sundays.

I went to the neighbourhood of San Telmo where they hold a Sunday market where all manner of trinkets are flogged to tourists. I bought myself a yerba mate gourd with silver trim and straw for ten bucks. The area has a high concentration of antique shops, so that was quite interesting but it's easy to get bored seeing American/European tourists with a Lonely Planet book in one hand and a map in the other trying to stuff in as much ´culture´ as they can. The stuff people take pictures of is retarded: the guys who spraypaint themselves to look like statues and remain still for long periods of time (as if you can´t find them at home); them in front of some building or statue--you get where I´m going. What will these people feel when they eventually get these photos developed? Who cares?

When planning this trip, I didn´t open a Lonely Planet or Fodor´s Book once. It´s not necessary. Hanging out in the Hostel for an hour tells me everything I need to know about what I want to do today.

I´m off to see my friends at the cigar store today. Only Arnoldo was there on Saturday and there weren´t too many others hanging around.

Hasta Luego