Julia and Konstantin drove straight throughout Argentina from Paraguay to fulfill up with us a complete of 1600 miles in 4 days and never on US freeways. So we didn’t rush off the bed on Good Friday morning.
Good Friday is an enormous vacation in South America and it additionally creates an extended weekend so all people and his brother was stopped alongside Freeway 68.
We might have stayed at our pretty if barely dusty wild camp however Konstantin was overdue for a shave and wished copious scorching working water. It was a nasty determination however we acquired on the street among the many eccentrics du jour:
Konstantin wished to cease at a spot known as Las Ventanas – the home windows.
It was fairly however we didn’t see any home windows.
Distant individuals on distant peaks.
Konstantin agreed this seemed just like the desert Southwest full with mesquite bushes. And a canine.
Within the US this might be a nationwide park, probably with out rangers nowadays however almost certainly with an entrance payment. In Argentina you simply park and wander round. No handrails or security warning.
Following Rusty who was having a extremely good time I noticed one window.
Individuals had been in all places. That is undoubtedly a vacation weekend.
The girl under was an Australian vacationer touring with an Uruguayan. To our astonishment they spoke English. This actually is a vacation weekend, individuals are right here from in all places.
Mesquite (I feel).
We actually like dwelling in our van.
We additionally just like the white torrentés wine from this excessive altitude area.
So we stopped to purchase extra. It took us all day to drive 35 miles.
Konstantin acquired a few bottles too.
Then we stopped to purchase gasoline. They had been out of normal in fact so we stuffed our tank with costly premium. The gods should love us. Not less than there was no line on the gasoline station.
The man in entrance of us was driving an older French automotive which required opening the hood to fill it with gasoline. At first I assumed he had mechs I’m issues however no, he stuffed up and closed the hood and drove away. Simply one other odd second on the street.
Cafayate is situated on historic Ruta 40 however we didn’t drive it north of city. It’s recognized for its crappy gravel floor, 80 miles of it earlier than you attain asphalt. It’s so terrible there’s a warning on iOverlander about it. We had been glad to have taken Freeway 68 with its asphalt.
The streets of Cafayate might be packed for the weekend however we might be on our approach south.
We did cease for lunch on the curiously named Black Tote restaurant.
They make parillada which is grilled meat and also you order it by the truckload.
It was an enormous room full of households celebrating being collectively. The environment jogged my memory of El Siboney on Inventory Island, Cuban meals for the plenty.
Bread and sauces whereas we waited.
And right here got here the principle occasion. It included liver and blood sausage and cow gut which we reserved for Rusty. The gut I’ve come to love however in Chile they crisp it and it tastes like pork stomach. Right here they fill it with one thing mushy and pungent that doesn’t add to the flavour. We each handed.
A lot of ribs and steak to wade by means of and it was tender and flavorful. Oh and dessert. I had fruit cheesecake.
Layne had a really good chocolate dessert. It was wonderful.
Again into the clogged avenue to the campground.
Konstantin gave us two of their Bolivia gas jugs they not want. We would like some additional gas to get throughout the border by means of the Andes. Our deliberate route will comply with 300 miles of street, some gravel, as much as 15,800 toes with no gas. We determine slightly additional will give us peace of thoughts.
2005 Dodge Sprinter. The roof rack was designed and constructed by Konstantin the helpful man.
