playing catch up

Last year I entered a Rough Guide travel writing competition - describe a place you know well with an 'on budget' theme. I chose to write about Camden. Sadly I didn't win. But the lucky person who did is the next contributor to their South America guide - all expenses paid.

I based my entry on something I wrote for UCL's Pi Newspaper a couple of years ago.

But I did get a lucky break last month when I got paid for an article I wrote for Time Out London during some work experience at their offices (still to be scanned)

I really needed the dinero so perhaps it was my first milagro. If you're any better with your funds than I am you can buy a set of ten here.

the legend of 'gauchito gil'

I always say if I'd been born in any other life I'd want to be a pirate. A bit of Jack Sparrow never goes amiss. But instead of following the compass due North, and riding out the surf into the sunset, I'm heading in a South-Western direction - towards Buenos Aires*. And I'm going to need more than a compass to steer me in the right direction.

My Spanish is flojo at best. And as of right now I am entering Argentina on an (illegal) one-way ticket. Prospects for my first day of work are not looking positive. So I've decided to throw caution to the wind (much like the pirates) and put all my faith in my second favorite rogues: The Cowboys.

Gauchito Gil is a favorite folk hero of the Argentines. A good-hearted outlaw. First he had his heart broken by a rich heiress and was cast off his land. Then he was forced to fight against his own country men in a brutal civil war. To make matters worse he became prey to a bloodthirsty policeman. Whilst on the run Gauchito saved the life of the policeman's only son, but the raging officer killed Gil anyway. If that doesn't make you the stuff of legends I don't know what will. eHow provides a handy four-step guide on How to Ask Gauchito Gil for a Miracle. I know I will be.

*via Guatemala in August