Yawn Yawn, Wakey Wakey...!!!! MK8...

Aloha everyone,

I've been having a busy day at the computer. Lots of emails to deal with and I'm doing a lot of research about Buenos Aires. I've sorted out what we are doing in the dozen or so places we're visiting but haven't sorted BA. We shall be there for five days and have only got one day organised!

Also, there are things like what currency to sort out. For Argentina it appears to be best to take US dollars. The official rate of exchange is 6 pesos to the dollar but we should be able to get 9 or 10 to the dollar on the 'blackmarket'. The blackmarket is actually blue! They call it the 'Azul' which translates as blue. You can get that rate in most shops and some hotels. So going to banks and money shops is a no no.

There are also things to learn, like the info about taxis. The normal taxis are yellow and scruffy but very cheap. There are also taxis called 'remis' which are like private cars but run at a fixed price to the destination. They need to be ordered from the hotel or restaurant etc.

I'm now, not only looking at what to do and see but trying to learn about the food.

Just about to prepare things for a chicken and veggie stir fry.

Keep warm and well

Aloha!

 

It's just a matter of thinking about what you might want to do and how to go about it. You think about what you hope to do on a typical day and how you would go about it. What the public transport is like, what the rules are for crossing the road, even what tricks the local pickpockets get up to! With the internet there's always someone who's done it before you. You just have to search for it.

I must admit that having been travelling to out of the way places for more years than some of you have been walking around (over 50 years) you get to know what sort of questions to ask yourself and other people.

Doing all this research saves hundreds of pounds. Even doing research into what sort of tips people in different countries expect. Then you can be generous without throwing money around.

A relaxed attitude, a smile and a gentle word tends to get you quite a bit of help from the locals. Showing an interest in what they are doing also helps. Although, I must admit, I have a great advantage with having Mrs Shiney around as she's happy to chat to anyone at any time - even if she doesn't know the language. Most people are afraid of making fools of themselves but she never worries about that.

 

Aloha everyone,

Loli, don't let the streaming eyes beat you. Just tell them, in a firm voice, to 'Stop It!'.

Whoops! I thought, for a moment that I had caught it from you but it was just an eyelash in my eye . I'll have to be more careful with my make-up

Busy day today. I'll be in a meeting most of the day.

I've now organised the watering of the greenhouse and all our plants in pots, tubs, baskets etc (well over a thousand of them) for when we're away, and the feeding of the birds.

Keep well, keep warm and have a great day

Aloha!

 

Good morning Loli,Gdnam, Shiney and all my other friends,how are you all to day ,feeling great and looking forward to your day,have a good one and please stay safe

 

Good morning all my friends hope you are all full of accountability on this bonus of a November morning,its very cold but dry and good light for photography,enjoy your day and please stay safe

There are only 28 days 16 hours and 50 minutes until Christmas

 

Aloha Woo and everyone,

We have a totally clear bright sky this morning so we should get a lot of sunshine

Have a great day

Aloha!

 

It's good to hear the news about Poppy

 

Good morning all hope you are all OK,its inclement weather here this morning,grey sky,rain,cold,and miserable, and I thought that we would start the day on a cheery note only joking,enjoy your day what ever you decide to do and please stay safe

 

Aloha everyone,

It's damp and drear but not raining - which is good as the tree surgeons will be here soon. I hope they don't leave too much mess. I've told them that when they use their blowers to clear the little bits and pieces that they mustn't blow everything into the flower beds - like they did last time

I expect they'll turn up any time now so -

Have a great day

Aloha!