Early this morning I leapt up and into the shower to be ready for an early departure from Barriloche, Argentina, we did fine then oohed and aahhed and gasped as we drove over the Andes--did you hear that right? The Andes!!! ( We are really in South America!) Superb views of mountains and lakes, then foothills and finally it looked like the U.S. Midwest! (Even round, pastic-wrapped bales!) It is kind of confusing, really, to see what looks like home every time we get into the bus!
Leaving Argentina was a rather long process but not as long as entering Chile where we had to de-bus with paperwork our guides had already filled out for us (we only needed to check a box or two and sign), then line up, put our carryons all on a low table to be sniffed by a happy dog which also sniffed all our luggage outside (thank goodness my laundry was clean); then the stamping of the passport and a second form handed to another person, a toilet visit (yet another queue) and finally off. easily two to three hours at both borders. Tedious but not unbearable with the good company. And it was beautiful there.
Had fun getting a group photo, each with one foot in each country. Exciting to see the Chilean flag!
After the crossing, still on the bus, We learned about mate, a kind of tea, really, shared among friends from a special cup made from a gourd(!) and the tradition of the sharing, the close ties developed. Mate is the Argentine national drink, and we all shared it. It does enhance the closeness among people, even new friends.
After all that waiting we had a pleasant lunch and visited a Studebaker car museum--had you ever heard of such a thing? Every model made is there, pretty funny actually, then, driving down the freeway (!) I guess Peuerto Montt is a pretty big place though Puerto Varas is small and lovely, plus you can see Osorno from here--have I said it already? Osorno is Magnificent!!!
We shopped after arriving here, both of us buying lapis lazuli--lots of it around, then the sea bass for dinner--very good with some white wine. (BYW did I mention that I developing a taste for Malbec red wine? Oh, Jeff: pasta night next month--you make pasta, I'll make sauce, Kay will bring Malbec--who'll be on for dessert? Any takers?
As the title says, the day was wearying, but stunning. Chile (as Argentina before it) doesn't match any of the uninformed pictures we had in our heads. How could we imagine the unending loveliness we see all around us. We just keep looking and looking and looking. My brain is full of beauty, but there is always more, always.
Until tomorrow...
No comments:
Post a Comment