I don’t know where to start. I LOVE Argentina, not to mention Carla tambien!
The first thing Carla and I had to do as soon as we got to Buenos Aires is to go to a government office and apply for our wedding.
As soon as pen touched paper we realized this thing is really going to happen and Carla’s dad snapped off a picture of our faces, “Oh SHIT”! A few seconds passed and we had a good laugh.
We were only in Buenos Aires for a day before we took off to Mar Del Plata for two days of su
rfing lessons.
I suck at surfing but had a lot of fun even though the water is pretty cold. We had a great instructor that really took his time with us.
Needless to say when I come across a stray long-board I’m in. Surfing is so much fun, not to mention great exercise. I don’t have any problems catching the wave, but man, it’s all about the pop-up. Getting to my feet is the hard part.
Carla on the other hand is pretty good at getting to her feet and riding a wave.
When I met her in Sabanitas Panama two years ago at the bus stop all she had was a small backpack and a long board (8’). That was her idea of packing light. She practices her pop-ups and surfs every chance she gets.
I tell you after a few hours of surfing in cold water I was knackered as hell, no problems sleeping at night for sure.
I’d like to find a nice beach-break where we could hang out with Splendid for 6 months and jus
t learn how to surf and get in shape.
Anyway after having a lovely two days in Mar Del Plata we boarded a super-bus for an 18 hour ride into Patagonia for Puerto Madryn. The buses are incredible and more akin to flying uber first-class than what we think of as a bus in the US. The seats either recline all the way so you can fully lay down, or 90% of the way back. You’re served hot meals & drinks (sodas, beer, wine, whisky, or champagne). And they play movies. It’s a really nice way to travel and see the country, cheap too.
All I can say about Argentina at this point is, If this is the 3rd world I don’t want to live in the 1st. A
rgentina is still Latin America but with a HEAVY European influence.
Sure, people have and make less money in general. But everyone has access to great healthcare, and more importantly, food. I haven’t seen any big super markets yet. Carla and I go to the local butcher/cheese shops for the most amazing meats & cheeses. I’m hooked on the prosciutto. I can’t even start to convey the quality of meat over USDA, it is except
ional.
I’m a food guy and healthy/clean food is really, REALLY important to me. The bakeries are fantastic, as is the dry/health stores where you can pick up any grain, rice, or dried fruits & vegetables.
The locally produced fresh apples, pears, and berries are equally as lovely. The apple I had last night lead me to believe that I’ve been eating GMO shit since I was a child. The apple tasted like what apples used to taste like when I was a kid, what’s up with that, yo?
Anyway today we are renting a car to travel around a national park. I’m hoping to photograph some penguins, whales, and elephant seals.
Tonight we board a red-eye bus for Bariloche, Patagonia, which is in the mountains. It’s just spring now so the weather has been quite lovely.
I’ve said it 100 times, and I’ll say it just once more. I’m such a lucky man!
Peace, Love, and Patagonia.
-Alex