(note: just click on an image to see a full-screen slide show of the whole collection)
Though we arrived by night into a clandestine, remote camp spot above San Martin de Los Andes, we were pleased to find ourselves in beautiful lush forest with views out over the lake. At the time of arrival, all we knew was that it was flat. As sun broke through the trees, Dylan woke to the sounds of hooves as a few gauchos passed our car on a trail toward town. About 5 minutes later, an unsaddled colt came running down the same trail...likely playing catch up after finding it had been left behind.
Though we arrived by night into a clandestine, remote camp spot above San Martin de Los Andes, we were pleased to find ourselves in beautiful lush forest with views out over the lake. At the time of arrival, all we knew was that it was flat. As sun broke through the trees, Dylan woke to the sounds of hooves as a few gauchos passed our car on a trail toward town. About 5 minutes later, an unsaddled colt came running down the same trail...likely playing catch up after finding it had been left behind.
Today was a long but enchanting day in the car. After buying 100 pesos (~$12 usd) worth of groceries in our first Argentinian grocery (bring your own bags), we found our first "skatepark." On the shore of Lago Lacar they built a plywood mini ramp (in spanish, 'el U') sometime in the last decade or so. Wells and Ben took a few turns, avoiding the big holes in the wood, and we headed out looking for the new skatepark (as advertised by the sign), but discovered it hadn't been built yet. I guess that is what is meant by estará-- the future tense of 'to be.'
We headed out of town and had a beautiful day in the famed Lake District of Argentina. Lake after lake and surrounded by ancient, native forest and glacially sculpted mountains. Super linda.
Some things we noticed: every car had ribbons tied to their tow hitch in the back; every driver was drinking mate from a gourd; women carried thermoses in their purses to support their mate habits. Mate everywhere. Even hot water dispensers at the gas stations!
We stopped for a bit in El Bolson to buy some food and bread. OMG the pastries. Even though we were low on cash I decided to buy some $3 pastries for us to eat for dessert and for Easter breakfast the next morning. I got some cone things that were filled with manjar (caramel-like dulce de leche) and dipped in chocolate, some other things with manjar and cookies and coconut and, for Easter, some little tarts made with membrillo (a starchy apple-like fruit that is cooked to make a jam).
After a long day of driving, we entered Esquel, Argentina and found a little off-the-road place up by their skihill to camp. We ate dinner, marveled at the stars and slept.
