Police attacked in Sao Paulo

A lesser man would perhaps begin to get paranoid. I however will take the large explosion yesterday here in central Sao Paulo in my stride. This article in the Guardian is an interesting summary of the violence here. I just hope the police don't start to suspect me! What's Portugese for "It wasn't me wot dunnit, guv"?!

And now the good news! After two days I have managed to buy a ticket to New Zealand! Hurrah! I won't have to swim! Over these two days I have visited Varig, LAN, AA, Air NZ's own reps (Delphin Associates), Qantas, BA and finally United who would sell me this bl**dy Air New Zealand Air Pass. In desperation I had emailed AirNZ's customer services asking exactly how short of DHL'ing them cash I could give their company money! So much for e-ticket everything, eh? Anyway it's done, and I can get on with my life.

Tomorrow... Buenos Aires and then as soon as I can, down to Patagonia. Just studying the Aerolineas Argentina airline route map as we speak. The problem with Patagonia is that it's such a damn big place that an inch on the map I have is about 400 miles! So saying "ah yes, I'll just fly there, then pop along there" is possibly slightly naive. Oh well, as it happens you'll read it here!

Incidentally, when I was trekking in Peru, some of the American guys made me very jealous by having a small portable fishing rod and catching some fish for dinner. What a good idea - you soon get fed up with tinned tuna on your instant pasta. So today I found a fishing gear shop and had a poke about. I have to say though, I should have taken some expert advice from someone like Big Pete, as it's all frightfully complicated! I would buy a "Spot's First Fishing Trip" book, but it'd be in Portugese so unless the diagrams were good, not much use.

Wasn't an entirely wasted trip as I've bought a new rain cover for my backpack. I don't think they're designed to survive international airport luggage handlers, so my existing one has a nasty rip. Of course, it *shouldn't* rain at all down South anyway, as it's the right season until March. However as soon as Mother Nature discovers I'm heading there, rain-clouds will be flying down almost as fast as those who bomb police stations as soon as I'm staying in the neighbourhood!