What can you say about five hours in a coach? 07:30 checkout and an hour across town to St. Brendan's College to collect the boys, some of whom now resplendent in Pumas shirts courtesy of their billet hosts, some others wearing BACRC shirts bought by themselves. Then out through the rush hour traffic to Autopista 9 and northwest to Rosario.
Miles of flat delta land dotted with settlements, barrios and huge Toyota and Chevrolet plants. Roadside Parilla (grill) restaurants and gaudy fruit and vegetable (remember those?) stalls whizzed past but we pressed on, anxious for just the right authenticity in our break stop. Sure enough, we pulled over and into a Parador Nacional, a cold and dark motorway service station. Greasy empanadas and hot dogs of doubtful parentage were queued for, paid for, queued for again and eaten. Essential supplies of chocolate milk, coke and Quilmes beer were purchased for the onward journey. Real life, real Argentina, real touring. They had a map of all their other locations on the national road network, handy to plan your journey to avoid them.
Speaking of cold, if you check the weather on the Time Now in Buenos Aires link below you will see that night-time temperatures are around the freezing mark. This is very very unusual for BA, so we are told, 5 degrees or so lower than the locals can remember. It feels cold, too, even for we Northern Europeans.
Arriving at the Imperio hotel was, after asking directions twice, smoothly achieved. For once the hotel had the rooming list, keys (and TV remotes) lined up, and everyone was sorted in a few minutes. Rosario is younger and apparently more fashionable than stuffy old BA. Understandably its architecture is not as picturesque but it seems to be a city of parks and gardens, with statues and pavilions and all sorts, including a boating lake with pedaloes. The river Parana hulks quietly on its flank, its colour a massive echo of the chocolate milk, tinged with old gaucho harness leather.
The Hotel Imperio has seen better days. See picture of bathroom. More real Argentina. Hot water though, and no objections if you want to bring a few bottles in for a pre-team meeting livener meeting in reception (well done Dennis). Looked through the photos of the children's home visits and I for one missed some of those kids and can't get out of my head the difference between them and the boys and girls from St. Brendans.
After a team meeting with lots of plain talking from both the players and the coaches had chewed over the good and bad lessons from the St. Brendan's games, the teams were announced for Universitario de Rosario U16 and U17. Maids would go into this with less mixed teams, something approaching A and B selections, which will be revealed 2 hours before the games. Only joking, the players know, no autocratic over-rated Italians on this tour. Not going to tell you, however, until the match reports, sorry.
The boys were at leisure for the evening, let loose in groups of 5 or more with 2 days worth of per diem allowance and given directions to an all-you-can-eat. I wonder if the owners know what's in store? The staff and supporters went to Haras, a grill restaurant recommended to D. Orchard by hotel reception (how do you charm these people so quickly, Dennis?). Very good dinner, brains and chitterlings included.
Later start tomorrow, wish us luck.
Miles of flat delta land dotted with settlements, barrios and huge Toyota and Chevrolet plants. Roadside Parilla (grill) restaurants and gaudy fruit and vegetable (remember those?) stalls whizzed past but we pressed on, anxious for just the right authenticity in our break stop. Sure enough, we pulled over and into a Parador Nacional, a cold and dark motorway service station. Greasy empanadas and hot dogs of doubtful parentage were queued for, paid for, queued for again and eaten. Essential supplies of chocolate milk, coke and Quilmes beer were purchased for the onward journey. Real life, real Argentina, real touring. They had a map of all their other locations on the national road network, handy to plan your journey to avoid them.
Speaking of cold, if you check the weather on the Time Now in Buenos Aires link below you will see that night-time temperatures are around the freezing mark. This is very very unusual for BA, so we are told, 5 degrees or so lower than the locals can remember. It feels cold, too, even for we Northern Europeans.
Arriving at the Imperio hotel was, after asking directions twice, smoothly achieved. For once the hotel had the rooming list, keys (and TV remotes) lined up, and everyone was sorted in a few minutes. Rosario is younger and apparently more fashionable than stuffy old BA. Understandably its architecture is not as picturesque but it seems to be a city of parks and gardens, with statues and pavilions and all sorts, including a boating lake with pedaloes. The river Parana hulks quietly on its flank, its colour a massive echo of the chocolate milk, tinged with old gaucho harness leather.
The Hotel Imperio has seen better days. See picture of bathroom. More real Argentina. Hot water though, and no objections if you want to bring a few bottles in for a pre-team meeting livener meeting in reception (well done Dennis). Looked through the photos of the children's home visits and I for one missed some of those kids and can't get out of my head the difference between them and the boys and girls from St. Brendans.
After a team meeting with lots of plain talking from both the players and the coaches had chewed over the good and bad lessons from the St. Brendan's games, the teams were announced for Universitario de Rosario U16 and U17. Maids would go into this with less mixed teams, something approaching A and B selections, which will be revealed 2 hours before the games. Only joking, the players know, no autocratic over-rated Italians on this tour. Not going to tell you, however, until the match reports, sorry.
The boys were at leisure for the evening, let loose in groups of 5 or more with 2 days worth of per diem allowance and given directions to an all-you-can-eat. I wonder if the owners know what's in store? The staff and supporters went to Haras, a grill restaurant recommended to D. Orchard by hotel reception (how do you charm these people so quickly, Dennis?). Very good dinner, brains and chitterlings included.
Later start tomorrow, wish us luck.
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