Tonight will be our last night in fair Argentina, as we depart from Salta in just a few hours and head towards the Bolivian border. It has been spectacular to get to know the rest of Argentina after spending so long in the bubble that is Capital Federal. We´ve gone from the very south all the way to the very north, and in the process saw much of the vast range of landscapes, peoples and cultures that Argentina has to offer. From glaciers to salt flats, red rocks to pure blue lakes, penguins and sea lions to freely grazing sheeps, goats, and cows, Argentina has shown us so much. It´s really incredible how diverse of a country Argentina is, how much raw potetential it possesses, and it´s something you cannot comprehend until you´ve left Capital.
Part of this experience in Argentina has actually been frustrating. We´ve been following the same path as many a traveler from all over the world, and overall we´ve been treated as such. Most hostel staffers have greeted us in English, surprised when they hear we speak Spanish (and well). We´ve had to endure the 5-cent opinions of other travelers, which often times were generalizations (sometimes unsupported) gleaned from their travel guide of choice. I felt like someone who came to where I live and gave me the bullet points they read on Wikipedia. In reality, these are the words of an ¨Argentina snob¨, but after living, working, and breathing this country for nearly a year and a half, I feel entitled to claim a piece of the Argentine experience for myself, and just wish people I met along the way knew that we were more than just Yanquis passing through their country, that we lived here, that we made a life in Argentina. And most importantly, that we are bitterly sad to be leaving it.
So enough bitching, here are some picutres I´ve been meaning to post.
The spirit of Nick resides in Barlioche
Julia and a HUGE cactus.
So bright.
Thank you, ten-second timer. Also, Oasis´ next album cover will look something like this picture.
From the Bosque Tallado, she reminded me of a smiling, American Indian, wooden Buddha.
Just breathtaking form on this dive by Chris, really excellent stuff.
3 comments:
Happy trails, kiddos. You really did it up right. This beautiful country is better for having had you.
Looooove the pictures!!! Can't wait to do at least quarter of the trip you've done so far here in Argentina. And now let's get this straight: Como Josh dijo, tienen todo el derecho a decir que parte de este pais es de uds, porque vivieron como cualquier otro personaje proveniente de aqui o que haya decidido hacer su vida en este pais desde hace mucho mas tiempo que ustedes y haya decidido adoptar este pais como su nuevo hogar. Nunca fueron los tipicos Yankis que vinieron de viaje por un tiempo y ya, simplemente fueron y son de los mejores chicos de "Yanquilandia" que he podido conocer, porque sin importar si son de aqui alla o de la loma del orto (jajajaja) uds dos chicos son geniales. No me queda mas que agradecerles por habernos permitido ser parte de sus vidas durante el tiempo que estuvieron aca, que la vida sigue y con ganas de poder verlos mas adelante!
Un abrazo ENORME!!!
Julia, are my eyes playing tricks or are you wearing the Provencal skirt we bought you in the South of France when you were 8?
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