Preparing for the return

It's been a long time.

The last time I was in S America was back in 2004. Three excellent, adventure-filled emotional weeks. Two at a language school in Buenos Aires, then trips down south to Puerto Madryn to see the whales and penguins followed by a couple of days by the Iguazu waterfalls, travelling with a Swiss girl I'd met at the school.

Since then I've only had one major trip, criss-crossing Mexico in 2005. To be about to hit the international backpacker path again on my own is both daunting and a thrill.

The plan is four days in BsAs then up north to Salta, down to Mendoza and some more studies before further south to Bariloche, across the border into Chile to Pucon and eventually up to Santiago before flying home. Whether I'll stick to schedule is doubtful based on past experience. Anyway I've 5 weeks to find out.

So I'm all packed and after an eventful past few months am more than ready for a break. It's a trip I'd meant to make nearly two years ago but had to cancel. Just a month ago I was going to use the time to head to India - then someone asked me where is the one place I most want to visit in the world. And the answer is Mendoza.

It all goes back to a conversation with a waitress in a Mexican restaurant in BsAs who said it was her favourite city in the country. Hot springs, wine, trees and a warm climate. Karin and I tried to fit it into our plans but couldn't make the plane timetables work. So now 3 and a bit years on I'll finally get to see why she - and the many others who have raved about the place - love it.

So my suitcase is crammed with clothes and an unbelievable amount of books, my ipod brimming with some classic latin songs and some new albums downloaded from itunes and my brain doing the disco inside my skull with anticipation.

South America - la vuelta - tengo ganas de verla de neuvo