Without gloating or causing envy or hatred or anything: ITS SOOOOOO HOT HERE!!

Argentina is a hot country. In its summertime. Don’t know why I’m surprised at that. Doubtless when we head down south (deeeeeep south) tomorrow, it’ll feel a touch fresher. But here in wine country, Mendoza, we haven’t seen a single cloud for two days and we ain’t gonna get any today. Bummer. Yeah, right.

Yet a lot about Argentina is indeed very surprising. Most of all: the people are nice. Not just nice but friendly, charming and really helpful to pale European non-Spanish-speaking wanderers from the nation who stole their precious Malvenas from them and won’t give them back. Don’t mention the war. And we don’t.

And its very sophisticated here. I expected (as I always do), loin-clothed savages with blow-pipes and spears fighting each other over some relatively fresh-ish road kill. Instead you find lovely people living very very comfortably in the most foody nation I’ve ever visited. The food is outstanding. Not just the beef, which is to die for. As any Argentinian cow would tell you. But everything. The presentation, the composition, all done with care, artistry and pride. Just so some fat western pig like me can hoover it up whilst slurping buckets full of what they call ‘wine’. Which is in fact the national obsession, particularly round here in wine-land. Wine is the new Catholicism. Almost as big as football. And its not only wonderful, but available at every really great restaurant for about 5 quid a bottle.

Yesterday we rented bikes (some of us never learn) and rode round the vineyards and visited one for a tour, tasting and picnic lunch. But a picnic like I’ve never seen. More like the tasting menu from the Paul Hollywood savouries collection, mostly warm, all with fabulous wines. Which oddly, were local. The laws on drinking and riding are vague round here.

And in a very odd sober moment, you check the news. And its CNN. The only option that isn’t Spanish speaking. Football on a Spanish channel is fine, in fact in any language. Spitting translates in a way that news doesn’t. So can someone please tell me why CNN is so fucking successful when it is so awful? Reporting on events for some reason has to be seen as ‘LIVE AND ON THE SPOT!!!!’ as opposed to some nice, smart, slightly surgically enhanced babe in a suit summarising the any situation in 2.5 minutes? Why does it require CNN 95 minutes to tell you approximately 95% less? Its as if its like some job creation scheme for people who only have good-hair days. Moronic people. Who try to instil an excitement in the reporting when in reality if a situation (eg hostages in a Paris supermarket) is naturally exciting it does not require coverage as if its the superbowl. Just telling the tale is enough.

Ok, mid-morning, must be time to visit another winery. Work, work, work…

Happy saturday

A xxxx