Argentina!!!

Argentina is totally and completely different from the other South American countries I´ve been in thus far (for those not keeping track, that means Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). Especially just coming from Bolivia, one of the poorest countries down here, the difference is incredible. Sort of like crossing from Mexico to California, for those that have done it... the roads are ten times better, everyone´s wearing nicer (and newer, and cleaner) clothes, etc.

Coupled with every surprise, though, there´s usually a reminder that Argentina is still in South America, and that South America is no Europe.

• ----The buses are infinitely nicer... they´ve even got little air vents and the personal overhead reading lights, and every so often, they even have headphone jacks for listening to the radio, like in planes. BUT.... those overhead panels tend to jostle loose every so often and dangle from their wires in front of your face.
• ----The restrooms in bus stations and such are now moderately clean... and FREE!!! (Unlike any I´ve encountered for quite a while). BUT..... more often than not the stall doors still have no locks, and you´d better be carrying your own TP if you want to count on having any.
• ----There are convenience stores and supermarkets, with a typical selection of packaged sandwich meats, crackers, and cookies, instead of the open-air, is-this-sanitary food markets... but, by golly, everything´s still darn cheap. Thank goodness for that.
• ----And every time I try to have a chat with someone, I´m reminded my Spanish could definitely use some work.

Wandering across the Bolivian/Argentinian border in the middle of the night.

(Kia, I hope you appreciate this...)