The BIG Gay Lifestyle Show

Born on this very day the first gay lifestyle show in London, UK was an excellent effort and showed signs that this can be a successful annual event.

While very much in it's infancy the show played host to live entertainment from comedians including Julie Jepson and the ever-so hardworking Rosie Wilby, the Gay Men's Chorus with a line-up lasting the full day as visitors wandered the businesses trying to engage their custom.

The Big Gay Lifestyle Show had beauty companies, Gays The Word, Gaydar, Stonewall, suit-makers, financial advisors and housing business - a real mix for real potential as in a tough economy firms vie for consumers.

Speaking to a number of the exhibitors it was interesting to learn they were moving a little away from their traditional events - like home shows for property companies - and trialing more lifestyle shows to reach a different consumer. It seems beyond the Internet we're all buying things in a much different way, thinking now differently with our feet.

The Big Gay Lifestyle Show is more that just a large room of business's selling their products but will be celebrated well into the early hours of tomorrow in the heart of Vauxhall's gay village with the royal presence of Pam Ann - we've sent our Queen down under and we get an almighty one in return.

The evenings programme is packed with gay gems from Jill Jackson, Scottlee, Tranny Shack to Circus of Men and Tony English. A great night ahead.

Goodluck to The Big Gay Lifestyle Show.

Some of the interesting discussions:
The London Sperm Bank - discovered that many gay men wanting children request designer babies, to the extent of gender selection - illegal in the UK they head for the United States.

Barratt Homes - trying to simplify the buying process for first-time buyers. Some interesting financing options, but a 4% deposit, plus a 20% loan on top of the mortgage still doesn't sit comfortably with me.

A Suit That Fits - tailor-made garments. A luxury item for me - and one I really want to save for. Check out the amazing designs - a youngster business at just 6 years old with 33 outlets nationwide.

Ablestoke Consulting - financial services. Did you know not all pensions recognised civil partnerships? You also could be left out on some life insurances!

Day Twelve: Argentina – Back in Buenos Aires

Restaurants were hard to come by; our NYE meal was a sitting Chinese buffet – much to be desired!  And we couldn’t exactly ‘Rock’ NYE.

Being back in Buenos Aires filled me with a little dread, considering our first experience resulted in the pickpocket of my beloved digital camera.

By foot took to our hotel, the streets were surprisingly quiet. The streets were lined with ripped paper due to the end of the financial year – apparently we missed the accounts party as they tossed huge sums of paperwork from office buildings!

During our Desyuno (breakfast) we discovered that New Years Eve being a Friday is a bank holiday – so too the entire weekend. On the one hand we knew we would get the peace we wanted, on the other – finding things to do proved a challenge. Restaurants were hard to come by; our NYE meal was a Chinese buffet – much to be desired!  And we couldn’t exactly ‘Rock’ NYE. The obelisk, at midnight was pretty empty compared to any city crowd I’d ever seen for NYE celebrations. A few home-managed fireworks, a couple of violent fights and it was all over by 12.20am.

We decided to head to the Art Factory Hostel for a rooftop terrace NYE Party. Here we met the familiar Maltese faces, Plum and Phyllis from Iguaçu. They, being Dakar fanatics, were preparing for the next day and excitedly talked about the commencement of the race the next afternoon, amongst their plans to head south by bus for over 20 hours to ice-covered Patagonia. We partied til dawn then headed back to the hotel for a rest. http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Art-Factory/Buenos-Aires/23860?source=googleadwordshostelsbyname&gclid=CLXDkLGNu6gCFQoa4QodTktoBw

COSTS:

Breakfast in Buenos Aires (for 2): AR$75

Hotel Orly: USD$70 x 2

Cow hide rug: AR$640

T-shirts & Shorts: AR$440

Day Ten: Argentina – Condor country

It dawned on us that such large animals would not be stupid enough to be hunting those smaller creatures hiding from the rain. Yet here we were – humans! The most intelligent species, wearing shorts and t-shirts in pouring rain on top of the mountain getting soaked and blown by the wind.

My tenacious personality persevered, giving a thumb and a huge smile – the largest I could muster; when to my utter surprise a small van pulls to the side of the road….

The morning brought a heavy dehydrated head and my dry lips from a night beneath a fan as it struggled to keep us cool. I could barely move and the thought of a 18km trek by foot to see condors (we had made a pact the night before with Roel) was far from appealing. A cold shower, 2 coffees, breakfast and several glasses of faux orange juice later I felt nearly human.

The hostel managers had spent some time calling a few friends and tour guides about getting to the condors at Parque National Quebrada del Conorita – they has been worried we may get lost – however to my relief it would only be a 40 minute walk from the bus stop. Suddenly the day trip seemed much more appealing. http://www.quebradacondorito.com.ar/

The day’s heat started early, by 10am the sun was pounding on our backs as we navigated the city’s grid. We packed our bags with fruit, pastries and sweets – typical Argentina. The mini bus terminal would lead us on our next adventure AR$38 one-way – ticket in hand awaiting a bus that goes in one hour.

The road to the national Park was long winding and took us up and down the hills to the West of Cordoba. The two-hour journey would drop us on a remote corner of the highway, 2km from the Condor viewing spot.