When I had landed in Buenos Aires, I immediately caught a bus northwards to Concordia on the Uruguay river six hours north of Buenos Aires. I headed for a hotel recommended in the guide book, but this place was full, and so was the hotel across the street. I then checked in at Gran Hotel Colón, despite the chilly review in the guide book. And for 45 pesos/night (3 peso = 1 USD), this was without competition the sleaziest place I stayed at for the entire trip. (And at several hotels I stayed for less than 45 pesos per night.) Judging from the building, this hotel was once upon a time a classy place, but now it was 2004. I crossed the plaza, and went to the tourist information where the helpfull staff recommended me another hotel, and also a reserved room for me there. It was both cheaper and a whole lot better than Colón, which I left one hour after I had checked in.

As you can see there is a restaurant in the hotel building – this place was perfectly OK. And to the left there is an Internet place. You see Internet cafés everywhere in Argentina, and the standard price is 1 peso/hour. I fail to see how it can be profitable.

Concordia itself was not a great experience. The town has over 150.000 inhabitants, but had a small-town feelUnemployment in Concordia is high, and the city was overall dull. Admittedly the grey and chilly weather helped to amplify that feeling.