GENERAL INFO SECTION
Quirky Fact
Patagonia
This word DOES NOT refer to that incredibly expensive brand of outdoor clothing made and sold by that old French guy living high on the hog in a California Beach mansion.
Linguistically speaking, the word: "Pa-ta-go-nia" refers to a coinage made by the explorer Ferdinando de Magallanes, and means, "Land of the big footed peoples". It is thought that he was referring to the Tehuelche Indians of the region, that tended to be enormous in stature.
Language
Spanish is the native tongue here, but beware...this is not the same Spanish we learned in High School....or from the famous "501 Spanish Verbs" manifesto. This is Argentine Castellano, most like what is spoken in Spain. In all reality, there is NO such language called Spanish, this is merely a generic term.
Money
Pesos or US dollars (in use here since 1989), Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted as well. Cigarettes have also been known to work as a local currency in the mountain refuges.
Getting Here
Almost all flights to Argentina run through Miami and end in Buenos Aires, so regardless of your final destination...plan on spending a few days in BA to enjoy all the hot spots it has to offer (more detail in our monthly accounts).
Transportation
Argentina means: BUSES! So be prepared for LONG journeys as you make your way from one tourist phenomena to another. Also, don't forget to purchase a felt-tip marker to redraw the crack in your fanny to replace what you lost on these famous 20 hour plus rides.
Note: these buses, however, are in fact often much more luxuriant than flying business class on an airplane. Also, this is truly a great way to really SEE the country, town by town and get to know some of the local residents (and get the real scoop, not tourist agency B.S.).
Good Web Links:
If you are planning to travel to Argentina, visit Argentina's tourist bureau,
Lonely Planet,
For news in English try :
Buenos Aires Herald
Or if you are lucky enough to speak Castellano:
Clarin
A little about my BOOTS:
Argentina is a country famous for leathergoods, and notwithstanding are El Resero boots, with 80 years experience constructing these hand made specimens. These boots are so good, that not even the Argentine Special Forces have them.. In fact, I even received compliments (and envy) from the Army Mountain Regiment soldiers, who also do not have them.
Most owners claim to get more 20 years usage from them. (Think of the savings $$$ !!!) Although up front, your initial outlay is $220.00.
A little about us
Me (Erin Wood)
I was born into an American military family, and as a young Air Force brat I developed an insatiable lust for travel. One day last November, after being laid off from my incredibly crazed job in the semiconductor industry, I bought a plane ticket to vacation for a month in Argentina.
Around my 3rd day, I decided that 13 years living in Los Angeles was more than sufficient, and I chucked my business suits, briefcase and pantyhose and decided not to return to the US of A.
This decision infuriated my family, so I was sure that I had made another great decision.
Now I live in San Martin de los Andes, a small town of less than 30,000 people, located in Patagonia, in the Neuquen province here in Argentina. And yes, of course I live in the Andes!!! Luckily, I am not a "Gringa" alone, and now cohabitate with my even more fascinating Buenos Aires born, Argentinian mountain "mule" Alejo.........
Alejo recently returned from living in what he calls "The First World", which in his case was Canada, only to fall in love with Patagonia and decide to live back here in his homeland.
His Boots: the tough and durable Caterpillar by Wolverine..the "Montana" model
Anyhow, we both made our escape from the big city and we are living in peace and tranquility, under blue skies, underneath an old expired Mesazoic age glaciar moraine, about 50 km from Volcano Lanin.
If you planning to travel to Patagonia, feel free to drop us an
email or come spend the night in our home; we have a killer view and 5 bedrooms!!!!!
