Don't Cry For Me Argentina

Dulche de leche - mmm
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[Obvious title really!]

So, some things I've learned about Argentina:

Some things I've learned about Argentina

1)  It's big.

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2) There are two Argentinas: Buenos Aires and everywhere else. Patagonia and towns like Cachi and even Salta are a world away from the wanabee European feel of Bs As.

3) Their buses actually kick ass. Unless my numbers come up, I will probably never fly First the way I, umm, drove First Class on a comfy, whizzy bus with a glass of cold champagne in my hand watching the latest Hollywood film.  National Express, hang your bus-shaped head in shame.

4) Argentinians have a really, really, really sweet tooth.  They had the first sweet company in the world (Arcor) and aren't about to let anyone catch them up. And if it doesn't already come with dulche de leche slathered in the middle, it will have soon. Being a dentist  must be a right cash cow.

5) Having said that, dulche de leche is really nice, especially for breakfast, and quite addictive.

6) And yet - and yet - they're not a national of complete and utter fatties.

Which is incredible when the porteños (people from Bs As) at least like to eat nothing better than (or other than?) a fried milanesa (breaded veal cutlet) and a mountain of deep fried chips, all washed down with a litre of Quilmes beer. And they're almost all tall, slim and elegant.

7) Maté, the traditional drink made from yerba mate herb and drunk from a gourd through a silver straw, tastes like sucking wet grass. Also fact.

8) The people are really nice, - even in the capital! - and will always stop to help and give directions, recommendations for places etc.