Thelma & Louise

I have decided to name her Louise, this pink companion of mine. Not that we’re suicidal, or that we’ve murdered anyone (yet), but yesterday she almost got me into big trouble. I had spent the day wandering the streets, sleeping on the grass, watching the river and generally waiting for the night bus to Salta. Louise was at the place I had stayed, where the host had kindly agreed to keep my luggage for me until 5 o’clock. By that time I was tired, hot and thirsty and Louise persuaded me to have a beer on the way to the bus terminal, which was 5km away. They don’t serve small beers in Argentina, the smallest is 500ml. So a slightly inebriated Louise kept on tripping on the uneven pavements, almost pulling me down with her a few times. I decided that it would be best for both of us to catch a bus for the last 3km. Good decision…

Corrientes was founded in 1558, but not much of the old town still exists, as it was a battleground for 2 big wars, the last in 1865 -1870. There are quite a few stately colonial and 19th century buildings, often centered around plazas.

There is a shaded walkway all along the Parana river, and at this time of the year the Lapacho trees (pink trumpet tree, or tabebuia impetiginosa) are in full bloom, some also along the river.

The Parana, as I have said, is the largest river in Argentina, and even has some beaches along the banks. Not swimming weather yet, but I am sure they are packed during summer.

I spoke about the murals in Buenos Aires, and in Corrientes they are everywhere, real wors of art.

I saw this abandoned power station, and it made me wonder about Eskom in South Africa. On the building is written: Agua y energia electricia.

The fruit here and everywhere is tasty, sweet and not too expensive. I bought 3 tangerines from a street vendor for R1 each, and they were the freshest, juiciest and sweetest I have ever tasted – they had their stems and leaves still attached.

The next few pictures tell a sad little story I witnessed while Louise and I were having my beer. The little girl’s mother was trying to entertain children for money, while she (the girl) had to sit on the bench:

Sometimes the mother would check on her…And then she got tired…

There are só many women and children living on the streets, begging or trying to do something for an income. Quite tragic and sad. But there are also many happy families: fathers, mothers and lots of little kiddies, often 3 or 4, close together like the family next to the little girl. My general impression here is that people are happy – even the statues have smiling faces!