The transition

Location: Bariloche

Weather: Rain and 10 degrees Celsius

Forecast: Rain for 5 days

Date: behind schedule

Decision: Bus north

We arrived in Mendoza like we had just got off the bus for a holiday. Our smiles were proportional to the amount of leg we could expose to the outside, "And at 9am!"

The sun eased us into a hostel and we went for a celebratory beer in the local park. A young skateboarder named Fede stops to chat. Handsome, tanned, friendly and clearly affluent. He describes his recent jaunt skiing in Canada and surfing in Hawaii. A short conversation full of wity remarks from Dave nailed an invite to his parents house for dinner and a recommendation to a winery, 'Is our luck changing?'

 

The famous Argentinian 'Asado'. 3 cuts of beef, chorizo and morcilla

A lovely welcoming family eager to impress a key part of Argentinian culture on us. Our thanks to them.

Fede's family and the bearded Drs. FYI: she has a boyfriend

The next day a spring like one, perfect to use Fede's recommendation and take a trip to the local 'Altavista' winery. We pretended to listen during the tour about fermentation times and award winning wine but only really engaged during the tasting.

The 'Alto' voted 31st best wine in the world and not available for purchase

 

The formalities over, we bought two expensive bottles and preceded to flaunt our ability to drink them throughout the town. Setting up shop wherever we thought appropriate. Partly as middle finger to the dark, cold and gustatively uninspiring South. Partly as a self-congratulation for the trials that had come before.

 

Flagrant public boozing #1

Flagrant public boozing #2

 

The bus had been so kind to us that we decided to head further north to Tucamán (another 1000km) and the entry point to the more indigenous (interesting) Northwest of Argentina.

Here the trials were to begin again. Our first task to climb out of Tucamán up to 2000m into a desert valley. We left the greenery behind, picked up some coca leaves to aid our acclimatisation and set off (see Characters from The road: Pablo). One and a half days of climbing and we popped out from the forest at 2000m into a stunning mirage.

 

Lunch outside Tafí del Valle

 

In the valley we adjusted to the arid, cacti strewn landscape. Suddenly having hot water wasn't the issue, but having continuous water was, hearing that the area was often affected by incapacitating drought. We pondered the issue whilst gourging on oregano infused cheese and sinking a red artensanal beer. Memories of my last blog entry faded as the setting sun caressed our faces. "A drought doesn't seem like such a bad thing."

 

All local products purchased for pure enjoyment

 

Kyle

 

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