I followed St. Pattys w/ a few days of rest in Punte Del Este, Uruaguay. A beatiful beach community that thrives in the South American summer. I arrived via a high speed  ferry where I met the lovelist of Cousins, Lorena and Laura both living in Texas but are originally from Guatalajara, Mexico. We missed the high season but decided to make the town enbrase us anyway. Bike rides ,dinner and drinks were the norm and we enjoyed each others company. The beaches were clear and clean and you can see by the well kept homes that this is the place to be in the prime season and where the South American elite come to be seen.

            Buenas Aires is by far the nicest and most livable major city Ive visited in the Americas. It's European influance and past financial wealth gives it a sophistiction that seems to be unique in the Americas. The people are beautiful in appearance and dress. Now is in fact the time to visit Argintina and get the huge bang for your buck. The economy  took a large cruching blow a year ago which enables travels to live like kings. if I had the money I beleive property investment would pan out spectacularly. The sections of town are georgous, Recaleta, La Boca, Palermo and the River front...all beautiful and all at rock bottom prices. My hotel was in the prime part of town and my room has a old colonial look to it w/ an 18 foot ceiling, newly renovated priviate bathroom for the incredable price of $10.50 / night.....heaven on travelers earth.

           I ran into a rowdy South African crowd on the bus to Santa Susana Ranch where we enjoyed the day in aa Argintinian Cowboy "Guacho" fashion.Racqeal, her sister Samantha and husband Grahm quickly made me feel part of the crowd....they had about ten in all. We began w/ a simple tour though the city and upon arriving at Santa Susana were selected a fierce horse that would match our personalities....well unless you were Racquel who was escorted over to.....what amounts to at an American Thanksgiving dinner "The Little Kids Table" .....her pony....oh I mean horse, was so small both of her feet were touching the ground...in great fashion she was a sport w/ it. We proceeded to eat the day away w/ the all you can eat feast of scrumptious Argintinian beef, chicken...potatos, salad.....and the best part the endless supply of wine and beer. Our bus ride home was one for the ages. The majority of folks on these types of tours are in their 50s to 60s and our bus was no different except for the 8 young folks. Well young or old everyone seemed to hit the sause well at the ranch and our ride home was memerable. We had about 7 or so nations covered and you had to go up to the buses Tour guide micraphone and sing a little ditty from your home country. Poland, South Africa, Equador, Mexico, Argintina and America were all represented....a few I can't remember, the reditions however bad they were, at least were heart felt. I, having a poor memory for lyrics.....opted for the old favorite by the Beach Boys California Girls.....it also is catchy little number.

         After Buenas Aires I was off to Mendoza the heart of Argintinas wine country. I took a tour and experinced some wonderful wines....four bittles of which made there way back to my brother Mark and his radiant Brides wedding festivites. From Mendoza it was north to Salta and then on to My good friend Max Blancos homeland of Bolivia.      

        My first experience w/ Bolivia was spectacular!! I signed up for a 4 day trip to the Salt Flats and Lagunnas. This area Salvador Dali gathered inspiration for a variety of his art. The flats were seas that over millions of years evaporated and left the brilliant white salt as its remnents. I traveled w/ a group of English volenteers, doing various charitable work in La Paz, in a 4 x 4 and our Guide Phillipe....the Bolivian Don Juan....he had a Derby hatted lady in every village( the traditional woman all wear brightly colored shaws and this uniquely interesting Derby hay). The sceanery was beautiful and there were Llamas everywhere, my first time seeing them in there natural surroundings. My trvel mates were friendly and fun...we all had a great time except for some majorly shotty accomadations.

         I went on to Cochabamba and La Paz ware I was treated to some wonderful Bolivian hospitality. as I mentioned My friend Max, put me in touch w/ two family friends, Dante a Medical student in Cochabamba and Margret a Law student in La Paz....niether of who had ever met me before but both made special time in their weeks to show me around and introduce me to friends. Its a beautiful way to see a city though those that live there and understand the culture. Dante, gave me the Booze cruise version of his city and Margret gave me the Historic version of hers....both of which were fantastic. Im left w/  a sensational vision of Bolivia. Next Ill be wakeing up in Peru. 

      The Landscape is as beautiful as the people of Peru. My first stop was  once again  in one of the Americas shockingly gorgeous Spanish colonial towns....Cusco, rivals some of my favorites like Guanajuto and Antigua. Cusco is best know as the launching point for trekers to the beauty of Machu Piccu. I spent a few days prior to my hike here and loved the town. I was fortunate enough to celebrate the begining of holy week here, takeing in a mass at their historic Cathedral...quite stunning! They also celebrate an annual "Lord of the Earthquake" day. The miracle goes as follows: A century or so ago the town was being rocked by a devastating earthquake  and to prevent further damage to the contents of the catherdral the clergy of the era took their beautiful Crucifix off the alter and into the plaza....upon the moment they steped outside the quake terminated. Ever since then, on that very day they reenact the event and parade the christ figure around town. People in balconys toss rose peddles on him in to honor the event. The entire day is culminated when they return the crucifix to the cathedral. 150,000 people spill into the square that could only possable hold 50,000 tops...villagers from all over come to pay hommage. At any one point I must of had 25 different people squeesing against me at any one time, Im not sure how people dont get killed....Im a head taller then anyone else and could'nt breath and there are small children and alarmingly old folks everywhere.

      I got sorted out w/ my treking group and once again , I found myself surrounded by Brits....two young University couples and Bagledesh/English couple that had a simi-arranged mariage that I was quite interested in the details of.  They were pateint w/ my questions and complete w/ their answers. Needless to say the seven of us got on well....there were others in our group but not making note of...except our guide who was of Inca desent. Our tour agencys failed to land us the apropriate documentation to travel on the proper part of the Inca trail....which we all were furious over but our guide reworked a trek w/ a small part of it which we promptly renamed the Dinka Trail. Ive said time and time again on my travels that I've been in some ugly places w/ great people and have had better memories then the Beautiful places w/ ugly people. The seven of us bonded remarkable well and could only take what was handed us until we got back to our agencies. I dont care if you hike, bike, crawl, fly dig your way or get shot by a cannon to Machu Piccu, you will never find a more Magnificent final destination to a Journey then this Amazing City in the sky. The Incas were brilliant in their archetecture, and agricultural. The city sits atop a mountain w/ peaks all surounding and a rambleing forsceful river suantering by below. The seven of us encouraged each other, laughed and enjoyed the experience which is Machu Pichu!! If you get a chance you should as well!

         In the capital city of Peru, Lima, I had the destinct pleasure of being interduced via e-mail and finally in person to a family friends close relations. Jim and Debbie Dalbora are friends from Maryland and Debbies family are from Lima, so they made the connection for me to meet their  wonderful friends  Edwardo and Franando with their wifes, children, sisters and mother.They gave me a family for the Easter weekend and hopitality unmatched. For Good Friday we enjoyed a lovely fish lunch at Edwardo's club which they all treated me too and that afternoon gave me a guided tour of special parts of Lima. The kicker was the night before I was to move on w/ my travels they threw me a good old fashion American BBQ dinner w/ wine, spirits and friendship...great folks...Im looking forward to returning the favor in the States. My other time in Lima was spent w/ a friend I made on my own, Elena who showed me the city,shopping and nightlife. She like I enjoys to dance and when it comes to dancing I denigh to find me anyone who dances as well as the Latinos. South America was special. I've been astounded by the wonderful things I've experienced in all of the Americas....I hate to say good Bye!!! Its off to wake up in LA and San Diego....America whats that place like.....actually Im not all together sure California is in fact America.