Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
We finally got the small minibus which was surprisingly empty although it soon filled up with kulaks picked up from the side of the road.We drove over dangerous roads still covered in snow or ice but before the border we were concerned that all the snacks we had bought for another night in the airport would be taken off us at the border.Thankfully the Argentineans are much to poor to employ anyone for that specific job and the snacks stayed with us.
The border was located at the top of the mountains and for the first time on our trip we were truly cold.Our teeth chattered and the wind pierced our clothing.There was pretence at checking bags for about a second and then we ran back into the minibus.A kulak tried to converse with us but was ignored.The route back to Mendoza was beautiful in the snowy mountains with a bright blue sky.This would have been more amazing without a million kulaks steaming up the windows and without a completely reckless driver.The driver had obviously read the driving on ice section upside down as he did everything wrong.He accelerated fast on stretches with no ice so had to break sharply on the dangerous parts and travelled along in a low gear.Possibly due to this driving one of the kulaks was sick and Charlie gave him a bottle of water and generously let him keep it.Well, no-one wants to use a bottle that has sick all over the neck.
When we arrived in Mendoza we booked our bus out to Bariloche - sadly only semi-cama.Depression hits.The man in the office tried to tell us how dangerous the bus station is but we already suspect everyone in Mendoza since our incident.When we reached our hostel we were ready for a warm welcome but it was a new kulak so we were deflated but soon perked up as we were given an ensuite room for the same price as out last room.We eventually met Capuchin Man who tried to hug and kiss us both - 9 months in Latin lands will never make that behaviour seem acceptable.
As we had nothing to do in Mendoza we used all our time on the internet to update the journal and use our new favourite friend ? Skype.A small boy child kept hanging around us and lingered behind Lisa's chair and even found a chair and sat there.We made sure all our valuables were safe but then he began to speak with the gruffest voice ever heard in a 9 year old.He had scabs and cuts all over him and kept trying to gain or confidence; I don't think so Mendoza robber boy.He eventually mumbled something about not having anything and pointed to Charlie's watch.At which point he was ignored and he eventually left.
We left Mendoza without regrets and spoke to Capuchin Man until the time came to leave when he had disappeared.We pleasantly thought he might have gone to his house to his car and take us to the bus station.We were very sadly mistaken for when our taxi arrived we inquired as to his whereabouts and it turned out he was asleep in one of the rooms and couldn't be woken.This was very strange behaviour so we left feeling a bit confused and now hated the rambling Capuchin Man from Hostel Parque Central.
Final Thoughts:Feeling very tense in Mendoza since the attack. And now our one friend turns weird.
Mark out of 10: 1
Next Time ??????. Bariloche
- comments