The Silver River

I have often contemplated the relatively homogeneous ethnic makeup of Argentina. Having lived most of my life in countries or cities with diverse populations one can often assume that everywhere in the world is like that. From my few trips to Argentina I can recall that Buenos Aires is not. Today I spotted this article about African immigration to BA. It suggests that as Europe has effectively closed it's doors to African immigration more Africans are making their way to Argentina where getting in and staying is easy. It's a fairly light and one sided article and I would love to understand more.

Tonight is my LAST night in my flat. Tomorrow we are moving in with our friends, Philip and Anne, a week later, in with Jason and then one more week with Fiona. After that, we're spending a week in Scotland before jetting off. It's going to be a hectic couple of weeks, so many things planned: Madonna in Cardiff Office leaving drinks Leaving Party Joan Rivers Dinner with Gideon and Mark Vlad's birthday drinks Tranny Olympics (don't ask) Dinner at the spectacular Richard H's house (preceded by cocktail @ The Casa) Actually, when you write it down it doesn't seem so bad. Sounds like fun, albeit shamefully camp. I am so bored of constant admin at the moment, once we've moved out I'm hoping things will calm down and I'll be able to socialise and relax again. I guess, the constant domestic chores has meant I haven't spent too much money... save save save.

As I mentioned earlier I am reading as much as I can about Argentina, currently focusing on finding out more about the Kirchners,triggered mainly by what seemed like some negative comments in some of the blogs I've been reading. While digging around I came across this interview that Time did with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in September 2007, before she was elected. It has some interesting quotes in it, and two in particular caught my attention and gave me pause for thought. You can't be a capitalist only when there are investment profits but then a socialist when you experience losses. and We're not averse to capitalism. But if they used to say, "Workers of the world unite!" then we also say today, "Capitalists of the world, assume your social responsibility!" I'm intrigued by both of these ideas. The former mainly because I it reminds me of the UK government bailing out failing mortgage lender Northern Rock earlier in the year and the recent US...

It's my second last night in my London flat. I'll be moving in with PJ & Anne on Thursday, followed by a month of nomadic living before zooting up to Scotland to visit with Big Mama, one more night in London (to see Joan Rivers), one night in Frankfurt and then finally the flight out to BA. Imagine my surprise when I came home tonight to discover that the street between Oval tube station and Kennington Park was flooded. This morning started with the excitement of a fire in a converted church and hostel in Shepherd's Bush and the afternoon has ended with this. I think the London Fire Brigade are earning their money today. This was as close as I could get with my phone... barriers all over the place and mild traffic chaos.

As I've said in the past, I'm determined to learn as much about Argentina as I can before I go. Although I've read a fair amount of travel books and some history I'm finding myself constantly drawn to the same themes, economics and social policy. It's great fun. I'm not an economist and so am finding it quite a challenge to really get under the skin of Argentina's recent economic history. My understanding is also (unashamedly) skewed by my own bias. With all these things, the actual situation is complex and there are no crib sheets or quick guides that will explain what happened and what is happening. Inevitably in the globalised world we live in, the major influences are beyond Argentina's borders and with that comes a need to understand a much wider international picture. Today alone I learned about the Washington Consensus and The Paris Club . The Paris Club is an informal group of financiers from the world's richest countries who effectively m...

I was amused by this little piece on The Argentine Post (it's a grand name I know). Apparently air travel in Argentina is still unreliable but getting better. Apparently 53% of flights left on time, up from 26% the year before! Aish! That's frightening. Apparently the European average (because that *is* the yardstick against which all things are measured, apparently) is 77%. I wonder if that includes EasyJet and Ryanair. I don't plan to be doing too much flying while I'm in BA, as I'll not be working I hope to fully exploit all the free time I have on my hands and try to (as much as possible) rely on overland travel. I have 4 or 3 weeks of work left (still in negotiation) and can't bloody wait.

The cat has left the building. Charlie has gone to Wales. Chris left this morning to take him. I was quite sad to see him go. He's been with us for 6 years. Sadly taking him with us wasn't an option and I'm sure he'll be happier in the countryside. He might even see sheep! For a indoors city cat that will be quite exciting. Here he is sleeping in his favourite spot moments before leaving.