Buenos Aires Odyssey: Day 1

My first day in Buenos Aires has made me really happy. This is the first day on my trip so far that I am truly on my own as well. So far I have been with friends and family from the day I left home almost 3 months ago. So when I arrived in a new continent, with no language skills... at 5AM and had to work out basic tasks like ordering a taxi into the city with no sleep for 2 days - i was reminded why I started traveling. To experience the other and to be out of my comfort zone.

After arriving so early I decided that it would be rude to walk into my hostel room, throw my bags down, climb up of the top bunk and sleep... at 6AM. So I waited and had breakfast downstairs at the hostel. I met Helen, an Australian (of course), who had also just arrived the night before. So we decided to walk the city and both fumble with Spanish together. My first impression of the city was of how incredible the buildings were, yet how run down everything was. After being warned by almost every person I talked to about Argentina, I felt completely safe walking around. Of course I am staying in the centre of the city, so it may be different areas. I also wasn't wearing any bling which probably helping me not to stand out.

Dinner was in San Tamlo after meeting up with Helen's friend (another Australia on a walkabout). We found a good and cheap restaurant (a prerequisite these days). Looking through the menu, I decided that the sound of Milanesa Pollo sounded good. I knew it was chicken but when a giant schnitzel turned up on my plate as technically my first meal in Argentina - the biggest smile took over my face and I knew that I had made the right decision to come here. Even as the 'Schnitzel King', who knew that schnitzel would show me my future...

After arriving back at the hostel I met my roommates from Chille and Brazil. We shared some beers at the bar... and I passed out... in bed I mean after i realised that sleep was imminent.