Stuck in Argentina.

I had to go to Mendoza, Argentina to renew my tourist visa. The plan was to take a long weekend and be back in Santiago Sunday night. I feel like I've been on a rollercoster. The trip from Santiago to Mendoza should only take 6 hours on a bus. Our trip took 13. I got into Mendoza later then expected so the hostel I had reservations at gave away my bed. I found another one that was way crapper...but what are you going to do at three in the morning. I slept in and awoke to explore the city. What I found blew me away. Imagine Fort Collins with a Latin/European flare. This city's downtown streets are lined with cafes and bars that are filled with live music and people enjoying the crisp fall morning.

I ended up drinking a coffee and watching a Latin Jazz band play. I have pictures but I'm using the computer at the Best Western Inn so I cant upload them. I had and best day browsing the city's shops, poking into book stores, waking and people watching in the city's plazas. On the way home I discovered a Casino and thought I would take my chance at some cards. I guess lady luck was by my side (for the time being) and I won around 225USD playing Texas Hold 'em poker. I went to bed on a high.

The next morning, still on a high, I woke up early to take advantage of the free breakfast offered by the hostel. Jumped out of bed at 8 in the morning and got my stuff to take a shower. I put some of my stuff on my bed....my wallet, camera and keys under my jacket. The rest of my stuff I left in my backpack. I took a quick shower and when I returned my pack was stolen. The staff at the hostel seemed pretty unsurprised and I defiantly think they had some part to play in it. Stunned, I had to walk to the police station to make a report of what was stolen. They took my iPod, clothes, a credit card, phone charger...and worst of all...my passport. I tried to enjoy the rest of my day in Mendoza...because there was nothing else I could do. I bought a backpack and a bus ticket to Buenos Aires, the capital, where the US Embassy is located. I'm now writing you all from the computer in the Best Western Inn in BA. The embassy doesn't open till tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.