Little one - 1, bird poo scammers - 0

Geez Buenos Aires is MEAN so far. Arrived at the airport, shared a taxi with two nice girls to their hostel and then on to mine. During the ride they ask me how I've found South America thus far, eg Rio. I say all OK etc, they then tell me that 5 different people have told them about getting all their stuff nicked through the bird poo scam. Essentially someone sprays what looks like bird poo on to you, some nice lady offers to help you wipe it off, a crowd gathers of friendly people, you put down your front backpack containing all of your valuable possessions...and someone nicks it leaving you with just your big back of smelly clothing. Nasty I think to myself... Plan to go on to my own hostel in taxi goes awry after taxi driver tries to fob us off with most fake looking money in the world. Don`t fancy my chances with him so wend way to tube station nearby (enjoyably free ride after man lets me through with my bag) and get out at Avendida de Mayo. Then wander in giant circle (including right past hostel, BIG minus points to Milhouse for having world's tiniest sign) before being forced to sit down on bench opposite McD's and get out my map, my own personal cardinal sin. Suddenly: SPLAT. I look down and seem to be covered in bird poo. But it's bird poo that smells distinctly of ketchup and what I believe was anchovy to make it suitably greyish brown (no Daddy I didn't lick it, I leave that sort of thing to you), and simultaneously a lady sits down next to me on bench. Needless to say I scarper, most relieved that I was alerted beforehand, and wiping brown streaks from my face. Nice.
Anyway, found place, had shower, washed clothes. All better. But not the greatest start to BA.

Argentinian side of the falls was absolutely amazing yesterday - sun was shining and wandered around for hours admiring the falls from every angle. Rainbows everywhere, and some pretty good photos. PLUS I had Oli the laconic Frenchman for company, having met him on a bus over the border into Argentina. This was v.bon all round: he is easy on the eye, has an excellent grasp of English right down to the concept of banter (he very proudly used the word 'chuffed' yesterday among others) courtesy of living for 4 years in Australia, and was much taller than me so managed to take some really quite good pictures of me with all the water in various guises. Sadly I could not return the favour due to stumpiness of height so he has some rather mediocre shots in return. Oops.

Yesterday was also the day of the empanada: 1 for me, 3 for Oli whilst waiting for the bus to the Falls, then 1 for me whilst waiting for coach to BA, then 1 again for me as part of 1st course on coach - the food was amazing, there was wine, and best of all, the steward-guy produced plastic champagne flutes and seemingly endless quantity of booze (smiley face, '¿mas?' repeated on pleasingly frequent basis).

So yes, best part of Argentina so far has been the coach ride. Not a vintage start, BA had better pull its socks up..............


PS. I realise most of that post was about food and a bus ride but it really was of great excitement. Nearly as great excitement as the hairdryer in Hostel Bambu in Foz de Iguaçu.