Rosario is Argentina's third biggest city with a population of around 1.5 million. We had read that it had a lot of the charm of Buenos Aires but was not as fast paced and hectic. After a few intense days cruising the BA streets we thought we would give the more relaxed Rosario a go.
After we arrived at around 2, we thought we would wander around town but the streets were reminiscent of a ghost town. These Argentinians really take this siesta thing seriously! We stumbled upon some of the city's pretty awesome monuments.
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| Plaza de Mayo in Rosario city centre |
One of the reasons for us choosing Hostel Point was because it had an awesome rooftop braai area where we wanted to test our skills at an authentic Argentinian parilla (there version of a braai). Other than that the place was bang average with cold water, no gas and was teeming with Arab looking brothers. At one stage we thought we were caught in the middle of a sleeper cell planning a jihad on the city of Rosario. We came across a small butchery down the road that also had really good fresh produce. The problem is that the meat is cut completely different so we couldn't distinguish a rump from a rack of ribs. To make it even worse, the butcher didn't understand a word of English. Eventually we worked out an agreement through animated hand gestures. He said that we should do asado de tira (short rib) and vacio (flank). Cuts relatively unknown to us with our tendency toward boerie on the braai. This would be marinated in chimichurri which is a herb mix with chilli, oregano, garlic and pepper. It is mixed with some olive oil, kind of like a pesto, and is delicious especially with the meat. A great deal of our time was spent up on the roof with a view of the skyline drinking litres of Quilmes cristal, playing shithead and talking absolute smut. Theories discussed ranged from importing cheap Mendoza Pinot Noir into South Africa, to make millions and how importing 500 african grey parrots in your suitcase from Congo is not the best way to make millions.
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| Roof top Braai area chill session |
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| The return of the Gato Negro |
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| The sucess of a proper Asado! |
On the first evening after consuming a fair few bottles of red wine with dinner on the roof we thought we would sample Rosario's nightlife, it was a saturday after all. An Argentinian Beatles tribute band were playing that night and we thought we would go take a look. As we arrived "Los Bitles" were in full song but the crowd seemed very chilled around tables. It was only 12 o'clock and of course the South Africans had overshot the mark, locals only start jolling from about two in the morning. We were the only people in the crowd jamming, probably because we were the only people who knew what "Hard day's Night" meant. We ended having a few drinks with Juan Lennon, Pablo McCartney, Jorge Harrison and El Ringo Starr, who didn't speak much English even though all the lyrics they were singing were in the same language! A great night spent squeaking some takkie was a great way to start off our stay in Rosario.
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| Pablo, Jorge, Juan and Ringorezzi |
Next was off to the beaches to sample one of Rasarios major attcactions. Vladamir situated on the bank of the Rio Parana was our beach of choice. The beach was akin to Midmar on a Sunday however the Northdale fisherman were replaced with Rosarian women in thongs. The experience was most entertaing as we admired some fine rump and truely inspiring poses struck by the bronzed boytjies.
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| Laid back lifestyle at Midmar |
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| Definitely one for the boys! |
A great trip was had by all and it came to the point where we would part our ways with Steve and Christie. They were heading on towards Cordoba and then the birthplace of kwaito superstar Mandoza for the Mendoza wine festival. We would be going back to Buenos Aires to meet up with a friend called Horse or known in Spanish as Caballo (cabaar-yoh). Blackouts are bound to happen!
P.S Please start calling Rob Ponton this name.....
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