By crossing the border into Argentina we just unexpectedly fell into the lap of luxury, relatively speaking. Sometimes you dont know how hard things have been, what trials you have endured, how incredibly strong-willed you are, until everything becomes easier. I dont mean to toot my own horn, but travelling in Bolivia was pretty hard-core.
After leaving the salt flats in Uyuni, we hopped on a 5am bus to Tupiza, a small old west town near the southern border of Bolivia. The kidney wrenching 8 hour bus ride bumped through a dry creek bed and up rocky hairpin turns as I tried to massage out my side stitches while protecting my head from bouncing on the roof. History buffs might remember Tupiza as the location of the ultimate demise of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid. I remember it as a lovely and quaint town surrounded by tall red canyons and fin-like rock formations. I also remember it as the first time I have hired (aka trusted) an eleven year old guide to take me on an all day horse back ride. Of course I didnt know he would be eleven until I was timidly mounting my scrawny 20 year old horse and I heard a squeeky voice coming from a boy as tall as my waist."I am Miguel, youre guide, vamos!" said the boy. I glanced at Brig, who seemed equally perplexed and then I asked politely if our boy-guide shouldnt be at school. "Night school" he said. "Vamos!" So we headed out through the canyons past wild bulls, wild dogs and the occassional goat. The scenery was breathtaking and I couldnt help imagining I was gloriously robbing banks across Bolivia, just me and my horse (and my eleven year old son Miguel.)
As I mentioned earlier, Argentina has been a pleasant surprise. Most importantly, the busses are lovely and clean, and the roads are..... drumroll please..... paved! If you are a carnivore, you will understand my excitement when the steak I ordered came out thick and flavorful and literally curved around my plate. This plus a bottle of wine for $5, who needs vegetables?
The cities of Salta and Cordoba were bustling but beautiful and the nightlife doesnt get started until about 1am here. I will let you know if we are ever up late enough to partake. South of Cordoba in the Central Sierras we visited two small mountain villages famous for their German heritage. Hiking and camping, goulash, chocolates and beer were on the itinerary. The first night at the biodynamic farm where we camped, we were invited to partake in the mate-drinking ritual with some local Argentinians. The next night we shared the small outdoor kitchen with 8 teachers and 75 junior high school kids. That, my friends, was a lesson in patience. 
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Today we are thankful for friends, family and this unique opportunity to travel. We realize more and more how fortunate we are compared to the rest of the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment