Para Claudia

Solomente para Claudia

Leaving party in Peru

Leaving party in Peru

A big thankyou to you all

A year is no time at all

Thankyou in Spanish

Last weekend in South America

Down town Lima

Last full week in South America

Saturday Night

Up and running again

Update

Problem with Communications

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I have had no joy with the guy who looked at my laptop, it still is not working. The computers in the internet cafes are very old so i am having problems up loading my video diary. I suppose this happening now is better then it happening when i first arrived.

I shall keep trying to rectify the situation, so don t give up on me yet Lol. I want to finish strong.

Your man in South America

Checking in & Communication problems.

Hi eveyone i hope upon reading this entry you are all in good health. I am down to my last 2 weeks and the days are going quickly.

I have been without Internet access for the last 4 days, i have felt disconnected from the world. I am hoping a friend of mine will be able to rectify my problem tonight. I am told i have re-configurate my laptop, i have no idea how to do that, so i hope he will be able to bring me back to the world.

Khary it´s great to hear from you coz. When i get home gods willing we will have to catch up and have a full debrief.

Well i hope i will be back on air tonight, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Your man in South America

Nice spring day

Checking in

Hair crisis

Traditional Birthday celebrations for Senora Rosa

Hi every one i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I am very well just counting down the days.

I have been having some technical problems with my computer, so bare with me, i will rectify the problem as soon as possible.

The pictures are of Senora Rosa and her family, it was her birthday on Sunday 25th October and they held a little family party for her. I recorded her singing but for some reason i could not upload it to my blog. You need to see and hear it for yourself.

My last 4 weeks will consist of training and just preparing myself for going back to work.

Money is low at the moment but i will just tough it out for the last 4 weeks.

Until i see you all in person take care and stay healthy.

Your man in South America.

Traditional Birthday celebrations for Senora Rosa

Traditional Birthday celebrations for Senora Rosa

Traditional Birthday celebrations for Senora Rosa

Weekend in Peru

I have arrived in Peru

Reporting In

En Espanol

Have a good weekend

Hi

The Party

Another normal day

Normal day

Familiar de Claudia

Weekend

Taking things easy

Familiar de Claudia

Loss of independence

Weather change

Return to Colombia

Last night in Panama

My forfeit

Last weekend in Panama

More pratice

Power cut

Just me.

Come on people

Weekend

Weekend

Time to ship out

My gym

Change of plan

What are you trying to do to me

Nice day in Panama

Panama City

New forfeit please

Strong arguments

Clarification

I have failed

The Forefeit

Forefeit

The weekend

One month in Panama

My challenge

The winner of Charade

En Espanol

Another Charade

My weekend

The weekend

Like a virgin

Stewards Enquiry

The Winner

Rules of the Charade Game

The Charade Game

Besieged by rain

Besieged by rain

Besieged by rain

The sun is out

Saturday Night

Rain stop play

Traducir para Claudia

Weekend

The rain is back

Before the comments i do not know how that happened.

Not much to say

Little pleasures

I'm out and about

Rain stop play

This is what i am talking about

A little bit bored

Sorted

Same old story

Brazilians are in town

Brazilians are in town

Brazilians are in town

Rain stop play

Rain stop play

I'm still practicing

Know your ground

Streets of Panama

Streets of Panama

Streets of Panama

My new apartment Panama

Search for an apartment

Panama

Panama

Hi everyone i hope you are all well and in good health upon reading this entry. I just thought i would show you all the route i run in the mornings, the scenery is very nice and there´s a community of runners who also use the route.

Throughout this journey i have followed my six sense and the vibe i get from a place, well i definitely get a good vibe from Panama.

Well it´s short entry today because i am using an internet cafe, the hotel i am staying in basically lied about having wifi. I have not been able to pick up any other signals.

Take care all and i will keep you all updated.

Your man now in Central America.

Panama

Panama

Panama

I am back

Panama day 1 week 1

Last day in Venezuela

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. Well it's my last day in Venezuela, the highlight of this country is the weather, it's been fantastic, you have already heard me speak about the state of the country so i don't think there is any need to repeat myself. I am very thankful to Jacky and Karen, they are family to a friend of mine in England. They have really looked after me and made sure things have run as smoothly as possible. To be quite honest i have not got much to say about this country except it's been an experience.

My next broadcast gods willing will be from Panama, so stand-by for further updates.

Your man in South America

Shipping out

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. Today i have purchased my ticket to Panama, i leave on Monday morning very early. I have to say as soon as i paid for the ticket a bright light appeared from know where showing me the way out of this dark tunnel i have been in, as some of you have already said i will put it down to just another experience to remember when i am back in London town.

My question to you all is, do i stay in this last weekend in Venezuela or do i go out ? comments please.

Your man in South America

Bored to tears

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e-mail. I am bored to tears with this place. There is an unsettling atmosphere here which my six sense is picking up. The weekend gone i looked out of my window and just thought, there is nothing here of interest.

When i go to the super market, it is depressing how little they have on sale. What they do have in my opinion is not worth the money.

What is also frustrating is the apartment i have rented, the owner wishes to be paid in dollars. I have tried with the help of my cousin Mark to pay her in Dollars but the banks are saying they need a swift code or sort code in order for the payment to be made. The owner does not seem to have these details. If anyone has any ideas please speak up.

I am not feeling down just very very keen to move on. All i want for my last 5 months is the sun and the beach, i don't think that is too much to ask.

Take it from me when i say we were born and live in a great country. It is not until you travel for a while that you come to realize how good we have things in England.

Your man in South America

I am out of here

Hi everyone i hope this message reaches you all in good health. I am well but not happy with the country of Venezuela. First i will list my concerns and then give you a brief explanation.

(1) The theft of my stuff
(2) State of the economy
(3) No brown sugar
(4) Technical problems
(5) Received a complaint about training.

The theft of my stuff at the airport was a bad sign for me about Venezuela, i know they are items that can be replaced but it's just the principle of it that alerted my six sense.

The state of the economy here is very very bad. When you go to the supermarket you can see they are missing a lot of items on the shelves.

I wanted some brown sugar to brown my chicken for my rice and peas at the weekend, they do not have any brown sugar here ( Those of us who can cook will understand how frustrating that is).

Technical problems i have been having here are caused by the poor installation of the internet, i feel like i'm in the stone age.

The straw that broke the camels back. I received a complaint via my friend who lives in the same apartment block as i do. The residents do not like that i exercise at the rear of the building, in the car park area topless.
That was it for me, i decided then and there, this place is not ready for Don Simon.

I am in the process of moving on to Pananma stand-by for updates on my move. I need some beach action.

Your man in South AmericaI

Venezuela

Hi everyone, i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I am well and just trying to find my way around Maracaibo Venezuela. To be honest i am not sure about this place, i'm not really feeling the vibe. I think may be it's because the economy here is very bad and simple things like brown sugar you cannot get in the shops.

The beach is about three hours away from my apartment, not what i was expecting. The weather is hot but i am surrounded by buildings and not the sea which is what i wanted. There is a large lake but i am told it is polluted.

I am having difficulties connecting to the internet here, you all know that is my life line to all of you and Europe. The system they have here is either very slow or does not work. I have tried to download some video but with no success.

I plan only to stay here for a month and then move on to Panama. I am told they have some great beaches there and the weather is the same.

Hopefully i will be able to sort out my technical problems and return to some video entries.

Your man in South America

Venezuela

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I have arrived in Venezuela however i have had a bad start. The baggage handlers stole some things from my rucksack, two bottles of aftershave and my Ipod stand, so i cannot use my Ipod. I am disappointed but i´m in one piece, so i am grateful for that.

The weather here is very hot so that is a plus. I am currently in a hotel, my laptop does not work there i do not understand why, so i have to use an internet cafe. This afternoon i am going to view an apartment, hopefully it will be suitable. Once i get sorted and settled i will add to my blog.

Your man in Venezuela

Last two days in Colombia

Fathers Day

Chicken legs or NOT ?

Hi everyone i hope this e-mail reaches you all in good health. Do you all remember me talking about a good friend of mine called Mario Russo who constantly abuses me about my legs, the above title is how he refers to me as well as calling me IGGY. Well the glove which has repeatedly slapped me in the face has now been picked up from the ground.

I give you all my new legs. Responses please !!!!!!

Your man in South America

Laters

Chicken legs or NOT ?

Colombia

Celenita

Technical problems

Day light robbery

My birthday the big 40

Pre birthday

Colombia

Enough is Enough

Happy Birthday Sarah

Go with the flow

Change of plan

Colombia

Colombia

Salsa class

Missing Home

Colombia

Colombia

Boxing

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I have found a boxing club very close to my apartment and have joined. It is owned by a famous Colombian boxer called Orlando Torres, he is the man you see in the footage training me in the ring. Don't worry fight fans( Mum & Dad) i will not be competing in any boxing competitions it's just training and keeping myself in shape for any unforeseen circumstances.

I am learning a lot of new Spanish words from the boxing world, initial i was just watching the examples he demonstrated, repetition is a good thing for the brain, i was able to pick up quickly what things meant.

Well i hope you enjoy my little display.

Your man in Colombia

Adios

Boxing

Boxing

Still enjoying things

Just practicing

I'm backI

Situation close to critical

Situation close to critical

Situation close to critical

Money problems

The neighbor

My Apartment Colombia

My Apartment Colombia

Last day in Cartagena

Cartagena

Party at my place

I hope this message reaches you all in good health. Last night i was invited out by my girlfriend to a restaurant to have a meal with her work colleagues. Well these functions always begin with everyone on their best behavior, quiet conversations on each table and everybody generally looking at everyone else, no prizes for what they must of thought seeing me sitting at one of the tables.

The meal was nice along with the music by a live band. At the end of the evening it was decided by a person, who i shall not at this stage name and shame( Claudia) that a party be held back at my place. Well the following footage shows everyone arriving and at that point on their best behavior. Things change as the cups are kept fully charged. See if you can spot the Swedes.

My plan is to stay in Colombia for a few months. I like it here, i have made a few friends who are really helping me with my Spanish . To be honest moving around all the time is expensive. I am learning a lot more staying put in Colombia. I intend to go to a place called Cali, it's in the South of Colombia. I am told by my friends Cali is the home of Salsa, we shall see.

Take care your man in South America

Party at my place

Party at my place

Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena

CartagenaC

Colombia

Colombia at night

True Colombia

Hi every one i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I had a fantastic weekend with my friends. They took me to a salsa show of a famous Colombian salsa band. The atmosphere was incredible as you will all see. It was a first hand experience of how the locals really enjoy themselves. I am happy to say i represented my queen and country on the dance floor, enjoy everyone.

Your man in South America

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

True Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Mothers Day

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Salsa night out

Colombia

Antonio's Birthday

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I am really well and as i like to say, so far so good, the time is going very quickly.

Here you can see some friends of mine i met at a local gym. The guy in the black t-shirt is Antonio. He invited me to his 30th birthday party at his home. It was a lovely evening,salsa dancing and everything. They have all really helped me with my Spanish, mainly because they speak very little English and they want to do all they can to help my Spanish.

I am out tonight to Salsa club i will try and get some good footage of the club and maybe me strutting my stuff in South America.

Keep tuned your man in South America

Laters

Antonio's Birthday

Colombia

Hi everyone i hope this messages reaches you all in good health. As you know i am in Colombia, i plan to stay here for about 3 month and concentrate on my Spanish. I have managed to get private tuition, which i have everyday for two hours.

I like the people here, they are very friendly and helpful. People are always saying just be careful when you are out and about. Rest assured i am constantly on guard and being very careful. I have made friends over here who i constantly ask advise about anything i am not sure about.

I am close to finding a salsa class, one of my friends knows a place that teaches salsa. The problem is everybody here can salsa really well so they don´t need lessons. I am not saying i´m bad at it because i am not, however i would like to improve in areas. Stand-by folks for some video footage of a salsa club and my classes.

I am moving again to another hotel because the hotel i am in currently my laptop is not working properly. I need my laptop on a daily basis to keep you all fully upto date on my progress. at the moment i keep having to go to an internet cafe which is not great for me.

Keep safe and i will keep you all updated.

Your man in South America

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

My arrival in Colombia

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The Carnival Rio De Janeiro

The party has started

The party has started

Pre-Carnival briefing

Night before carnival weekend

Great family and friends

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. Sorry for the delay i have been caught up in the intense carnival atmosphere here, every night i am out with friends having pre-carnival drinks. The Brazilians are world famous for their carnival and now i know why, it's all about the build up and then you have the massive explosion at the weekend, that's how it has been explained to me.

The family in the pictures live here in a very nice area. They invited me to their home to share food and drinks with other family and friends via a friend of mine. Too say i was overwhelmed with their hospitality is an under statement. I was very well looked after. The owners of the home are the couple both in red, ( Nelson and his wife Vanoa) the other people are friends and family.

It is extremely refreshing to know there are people all over the world who are still willing to open their arms in welcome to total strangers, this i believe is what being an human being is all about.

I am so excited about the carnival, i feel like a little boy waiting for Christmas. I will video as much of the Carnival as possible, you may even see me attempting the Samba.

Stay tuned for Carnival

Your man in South America

Laters

Great family and friends

Carnival Rehersal

Carnival rehersal

Pre-carnival fever

My Apartment view

The Journey from Uruguay to Brazil

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this entry. I am currently in Brazil a place called Florianopolis, it's by the coast, south from Rio De Janeiro. It's a very nice place, all around people are preparing for the Carnival, banners are being put up , i even saw a group practicing their dance routine for the Carnival.

I left Uruguay on Tuesday afternoon by coach, the journey was supposed to take 18hrs. It actually took 24hrs, the first problem was we encountered the traffic jam of all traffic jams, we were at a stand-still for 2 and half hours. We moved off and just as the finish line was in sight, the coach broke down another 2hrs wait. luckily for us where the coach broke down was right beside a coach mechanic (touch). We waited another 2hrs for it to be fixed, we were only 20 minutes away from our final destination. I missed my connection to Rio hence why i am traveling today, to be honest i needed a good nights rest in a proper bed.

Today i am on my way to Rio by coach. I leave at 2pm, we are 2hrs behind GMT. I should arrive in Rio De Janeiro on Friday morning, if all goes well.

Take care all my next entry should be from Rio De Janeiro.

Laters

Your man in South America

Last day in Uruguay

How do i sound

Beach Time in Uruguay

It's really hot here

Tango show

Great weather

The X factor

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Last night i was subjected to what i can only describe as an unwanted audition from the series X factor. The two "musician" you will see started a conversation in the TV room about there musical talents. The guy in the white shirt asked me if i could sing the blues (why he thought i could sing the blues is beyond me, bearing in mind he only met me some 3hrs before). The woman stated she had bought a mouth organ and had been practicing, she skipped off to go and get it. Upon her return i captured an impression of Roy Orbison and the woman out of the Carpenters singing the blues.

Comments please. If the camera is moving around a bit thats because i could not contain myself any longer and was laughing. They really thought they were jamming.

Your man in South America

The X factor

Next day

My hotel in Argentina

My arrival in Argentina my hotel.

Last day in Bolivia

Sunday update

Mountain Biking

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e-mail. Today was the mountain biking day, it has been a long and tiring day, however i have enough energy to report the days activities.

The start: I began the morning by meeting the group i was going mountain biking with, they were a group of Australians with one of two British people amongst them. They are touring together on a bus. we were all given a contract which basically said, if you hurt yourself the company will only pay $500.00 in insurance and thats only if the guide believes you have not damaged their bike. I am told this is normal when you are doing extreme sports. The group amounted to about 21 people, we toke a mini bus to the top of the mountain, there we were dropped off.

We got kitted up with safety equipment and given our bikes. It is explained to us that we are 4700.00ft up. It is suggested we take things easy coming down the mountain, the first hour we will be riding on tarmac. We were then split into groups, fast group, medium group and slow group. Those of you who really know me will know what group i choose to be in.

The middle: We began making our way down the mountain via the tarmac road. The weather was freezing, wet and cold, at the end of the first hour my face was so cold, when i spoke you would think i had a stroke because one side of my face could not move. I was dribbling as i was talking, i was so cold there was nothing i could do but keep apologizing for my saliva spraying on my colleagues as i tried to speak. At this stage i was not enjoying myself one bit. Also the tourist representative i booked the tour through forgot to tell me i needed to bring a change of clothing, everybody else had a change of clothing. I started to think i don't want this to turn into a scene from Roots where the only black geezer on the tour, is the only one who has not washed and changed his clothes and is stinking the mini bus out. There was nothing i could do, it was too late. I brought my Links (African scent), my plan was to Links myself up and that should keep me until i got back to my hotel.

End game: As we came closer to the finish, most of the way down i was directly behind the guide( You all know how competitive i am). I began to have problems with the gears on my bike and was over taken by some of my group. I don't mind being over taken under those circumstance, however i do mind when one of my group shout out SUCKER as they pass me. Those of you who really know me , know that, that was like slapping me in the face with a glove. I sorted my gear problem out and then i was on him like a married man trying to get his oats at the weekend from his wife(You are truly determined men, I salute you). He realized i was on his case and close behind him, every opportunity he had, he tried to block me passing him.

The terrain became very hazardous(we went off road) and the guide quickened the pace. I could see this guy was not comfortable with the terrain or the speed, i saw my opportunity and passed him, i know he heard the echo of my words Tosser as i passed him. this is true gratification. I finished the course directly behind the guide/instructor, the term came on like a lion and went out like a lamb, springs to mind.

It was a good day and a great achievement from all.

Your man in South America

Laters

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I have booked myself on a day trip mountain biking down a very large mountain. Speaking with the locals about the excursion, they all just look at me and raise an eye brow (I think the look means, another crazy foreigner trying to ride down a mountain). Stand-by i will take some photo's if i survive.

Laters

Your man in South America

Bolivia border town

My arrival in Bolivia

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. The journey to Bolivia wasn't too bad, i tried sleeping throughout the journey but i could not get comfortable so just dosed in and out of sleep, so i am very tired as i right this entry. I cannot tell you much about the scenery during the night for obvious reason, however when morning broke the beautiful landscape i expected to see was marred by derelict and unfinished buildings, this seem to steal my attention away from the fantastic mountains i was passing.

We arrived at the border of Peru and Bolivia at about 8am. I looked at the border town in which we were pulling into, my immediate thought was i should be arriving on a horse wearing a stetson and calling myself Big John from the high chaparal (That's an old western series for you youngsters who have not heard of it). There were people moving cattle and sheep through the town, there was the odd hombre riding through town on his mule.

Then came the 2hr wait to see border control. When i eventually got into the office i was handed a form to fill out, the form was quickly snatched from my hand by a young boy about 15yrs. He began filling out my form which initially i thought was a bit strange but then i took the view he was trying to help bring the que down WRONG. When he completed my form and i signed it, he demanded 5 soles from me. What was annoying the other officials in the office sat there laughing at me. I took out a few coins from my pocket and held them in my right hand, shaking my right hand in slow motion and at the same time smiling at him and saying something that rhythms with your a real PRANKER you got me. Moral of the story nothing anybody does for you in the border towns is free.

My hotel is nice, i have a nice room no Tv but i have a heater, which is on as i am writing this entry. I am not surprised but the internet here is not strong enough for me to download my video diary, sorry folks i am back to describing things as best i can.

I am supposed to be meeting a friend of mine here, he is one of the sons of the family i lived with in Lima, he may be busy at work. Also there are reports of a bit of civil unrest here. I saw a little evidence of that today as i walked around the streets. I saw demonstrators shouting and then i saw what i quickly recognized to be police in riot gear. There is going to be a demonstration in the next couple of days. I don't think i will be here for long people. This is not the scene where the only black geezer in Bolivia is caught on camera been chased by an angry mob who are hell bent on killing foreigners. What you will see is Don Simon doing an impression of a dark cloud disappearing over the mountains into Argentina.

Well the period of time i am here really depends on my friend Alexis, if he has time he will definitely show me about, if not i am out of here, standby for update.

Your man in South America

Where were you

Last day in Cuzco

Update

Toilet situation

Machupicchu

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Yesterday i saw one of the wonders of the world, believe me it is was well worth seeing if the opportunity arises, the guide was very knowledgeable and i learnt a lot about the Inca culture. I apologize for the brief footage on the mountain i am still having problems with the recording facility on my camera, I took some photographs which i hope will give you an incite to one of the wonders of the world. This place is truly magnificent and holds a power of it's own. When you look at the engineering of the city it tells me the Inca people were a strong and intelligent race.

I am beginning to make plans to move to Bolivia in a week or so. Machupicchu is a powerful place and somewhere i will never forget.