Let’s say you wanted to get closer to the land.
Learn best practice farming.
I’d recommend you check out WWOOF Argentina. Anywhere near El Bolsón would be great.
A farmer from Port Alberni valley who spent a week here tells me the culture is similar to Vancouver Island. A hippie, happy place.
This is as far south as I’ll get on this trip. The summit of Piltriquitrón.
I did the 1800m ascent over 2 days.
This is the 42nd parallel. About as far south as the Oregon / California border is north.
Still. It’s March. You can feel summer ending in the Patagonian lake district.
My main tinto in Argentina is Santa Ana.
Argentina is expensive for the tourist … aside from hiking, accommodation, bus and wine. So who cares. 😃
You can tell.
I’m reading a real book. And eating vegetables.
Over the years I’ve tried a number of GorillaPods.
Cheap ones break quickly. Higher quality versions are a bit heavy and bulky.
A salesman at the Camera Store in Calgary recommended this alternative. I love it. Cheaper than a GorillaPod and far more durable. It’s light and compact for travel.
I’m using it with my Elf camera and Vixia camcorder. It wraps around either in their travel cases on my hip.
Click PLAY or watch how it can be used on YouTube. That’s the very similar Octopod.
Staying at La Casona de Odile Hostel, one of the best in the nation.
El Bolsón is where people flee when tired of crowded Bariloche. In fact, Bolsón is a miniature version with a Hippie vibe. I like it much better.
I arrived on one of their colourful market days.
I can walk from my hostel to some of the best hiking.
The population of greater Buenos Aires is about 14 million.
There are countless numbers of restaurants. Yet I ate nearly every meal at one nondescript buffet catering mostly to locals.
Some of the choices were excellent. Especially Chinese items. Most especially the ribs.
Cost was less than half anywhere else I could find. Food in Argentina is expensive in both supermarkets and restaurants. They have trouble importing many items due to high tariffs.
It reminded me of my favourite restaurant in Rio. Another buffet.
Eat what you want. And as much as you want.
As I travel I’m always interested to see how trash is removed / recycled.
Huaraz, Peru was one of the best I’ve seen.
For a huge city, Buenos Aires seems to do a good job. The trash guys and their trucks are efficient and quick.
Their job is made easier by the cartoneros, which literally means “cardboard people”.
These are mostly young, fit, motivated guys who dash around city streets late evening sorting through dumpsters with metal hooks collecting cardboard for recycling. (Along with other valuables, I assume.)
It seems very competitive. There are a couple of cartoneros working each street.
I lost a dental bridge while hiking Aconcagua base camp.
Searching online one clinic looked best in Argentina. They cater to foreign visitors. Their English language page is welcoming.
On the other hand, DAS didn’t not reply to my online inquiry. In fact only 2 of about 10 dentists responded.
I walked in the door unexpected at 10am on a Monday morning. I walked out at 2pm Monday afternoon with a rush order for my replacement bridge to be installed same week.
How long would this have taken in Canada? How many appointments?
I returned Thursday to check the fit. And determine colour.
Friday it was to be installed … but the enamel was not thick enough to be carved down to the correct size.
Rats. 🤨
Rather than 5 days total the procedure would take 12 days. I’d been warned about this possibility at the start.
So … with 6 days free I decided to take the ferry over to Uruguay for Carnival.
In the States, Bridges cost $700 to $1,500 / tooth. They last between 10 – 20 years. I’m hoping this one will see me out.
This brother and sister team of dentists get rave reviews from foreigners. I’d recommend them, as well. Everyone in the office is good looking. I felt like I was on some Dental Reality TV program.
After 5 nights in Uruguay I returned for the final fitting. It worked!
Cost is higher than in Mexico. Lower than in Canada or the U.S.
My guess is that a Canadian dentist would have strongly advised implants.
Click PLAY or watch a promo on YouTube.
Uruguayan Carnival is a popular festival that takes place every year in Uruguay from mid January to late February …
Carnival in Montevideo is very different from carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil …
Most countries that celebrate Carnival for one week. But in Uruguay the party lasts for over a month.
I just missed it in Montevideo, but had a good close look at Carnival in Colonia, Uruguay. Sat for at least an hour on cobblestones on the street as the dancers passed.
There are beautiful women — and men — on display. But it seemed to me any extrovert willing to put on an outlandish costume or beat on a drum can join one of the troops. Any age. Any body type. All in good fun.
Click PLAY or watch a sample on YouTube.
Rick McCharles 