Homeward bound

16th Jan: I wake up early, leaving Mandy asleep. I am on a mission as there is one place I want to go and take some photos of before we get our taxi to the airport at 11am. I am keen to get to this place before the masses of tourists arrive and before the pickpockets turn up.

I walk out of the hotel, down to the main road near the docks and get on a bus to La Boca barrio. I have been told that I should take a cab, but want to experience the bus ride as well as make myself less obvious a tourist. Not quite sure where I am going so have to keep referring to a small map as we travel along. Only takes 15 mins to get to my destination. La Caminito is a collection of 3-4 streets of brightly painted buildings, not too far from the Boca Juniors football stadium. La Boca is a relatively poor area of the city, with a large rural/immigrant population, with the higher crime levels often associated with it. I am just in jeans and t-shirt with camera stuffed in pocket.

I arrive at the main intersection to see the view I am after. Whilst I have been walking around the centre over the last few days I have seen a panoramic poster of the area that I am keen to recreate. Unfortunately, the sun is actually too bright and I struggle to get the image I am after. Should have been here around 6am! I am accosted by an old bloke who is wearing a fire dept cap. He explains that he is a retired fireman and is selling caps, badges etc to raise money for local firemen, and points out a statue dedicated to fire service. Seems like there was a big fire here in the past. I walk around taking a few photos, and am warned by one guy not to go out of the little triangle of streets. Luckily there are no tourists around so I get some shots, but the contrast due to the sun is too strong to give me the images I really want.

As I walk back to the bus stop I have a dog follow me. Stop to take some photos of the docks and it decides to keep me company. Eventually gets the hint that I don't have any food nor am I going to take it with me on the bus. Can't afford to take an Alsation home with me. The bus journey back is more interesting as more people are getting on going to work.

Back at the hotel, I join Mandy for breakfast and finish packing then settle up the bill before we get the taxi to the airport, where the only hassle is queuing to pay for the departure tax. So pleased we checked in online. Do try and buy some wine in duty free but it is pointed out that once we get to Madrid, it will not be allowed to be taken on to the flight to Heathrow. Bloody regulations!

Back home, hate the 4 degree temp after leaving BA at 40 deg. Luckily it is sunny. I get the bus to Harrow, dump my gear, grab my hockey kit, play up near Rickmansworth, rush home, change and then into Central London for a friend's birthday party. Back into the quiet routine....

Chile seems so long ago. I wasn't ready to come back :(