26-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
Well this has been my longest stop over since La Paz. From the moment arriving in the town, it felt friendly.
These size towns are perfect for repairing things and generally having a rest from the road. They have everything within easy reach.
In the six days here I have seen no other gringos. Though many tourists are here, they are generally from Argentina.
My fry pan was just about to loose its handle from vibration, it was bought in Colombia in February. The guys at the ferretería across the road put new rivets in it for me. I guess not too many people get five dollar fry pans repaired.
A new aluminium pot for boiling water was also bought, it has a kink in the rim that acts as a spout, my other pot only has smoth rim, to much water was being wasted during pouring into a cup.
My bike has been cleaned and the rear derailleur washed well in petrol to clear dust build up.
Loic showed me a brilliant way to clean a chain.
· Get a large plastic drink bottle
· Third fill with petrol
· Drop your chain in trough the top
· Screw the lid on and shake well
· Cut bottle open and extract a perfectly clean chain
· No dirty hands!!
· Such a good idea
The days for me have been so relaxing, having siesta in the afternoons, watching movies, talking to lots of people on skype and eating ice creams.
I finally got to the dentist, $24 for a filling.
It is so nice to see the dental fraternity in this part of Argentina are still living in the real world.
Some days here have been mild, whilst others have been ruffled with a freezing wind, the “sonda” it is a cold wind common here from the south. One day it is tee shirts and shorts while the next requires coats, beanies and longs.
Whilst here the decision to try and get some Spanish lessons was made.
Asking about, the trail led me to Escuela 370. Here a teacher, Corina said she would try to find someone to help me.
In the end she came to the hostal and said she would be happy to do it.
She is the English teacher at a few schools here.
The children take an hour a week of English studies.
On Saturday Corina and her husband came to pick me up and take me back to their house. In a new subdivision just out of town, near the cable car route to the Sierra de Sangasta, west of town.
It was great getting casual lesson in a good environment with someone who could answer some questions in English.
For me just brushing up on small talk was what I needed, this we did for a few hours.
During the afternoon, a stroll was taken to the museum displaying the history of the cable car.
It was built by Germans in the early 1900’s to deliver gold laden ore from the ranges to the west some 30km away and at an altitude of over 4000m.
My Ice breaker under pants are now see through with large holes from behind. The two pairs lasted 5000km each.
They will be hard to replace, it is important for me to do so with another couple of woollen pairs.
Hopefully, my son Callum will find some to bring from Australia. Though, Chile, the only country here selling Ice Breaker may have them.
A pair of cotton boxers was bought, it will be interesting to see how they go.
Wool is so good at not holding odours!.
Today, Sunday, Fabian came to get me for more lessons. After these, with their two young daughters they took me into the ranges to see a couple of the stations on the cable car route.
The views back over town were brilliant. I have a bit of a climb out of here when I leave.
They put on a BBQ with their neighbours in the afternoon. It was great just experiencing a bit of normal Argentinean life.
Shit, talk about meat for lunch, we ate beef, in a variety of cuts, chirizo and other sausages.
It was the biggest intake of meat for sometime, every bit was enjoyed and perfectly cooked. Local red wine was enjoyed with the meal. Though most of the time meat is not eaten, tuna and sardines make up a large part of my once living and moving diet.
The house where Corina and Fabien live has been built by the government and they rent to buy it.
The prime minister here is initiating a lot of these projects. The houses are very small. Many people in the street had put garages and extensions on. The properties are occupied for about $100,000.
Here is video of us riding the Salar de Uyuni in August
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHYsRxUDveA
Well this has been my longest stop over since La Paz. From the moment arriving in the town, it felt friendly.
These size towns are perfect for repairing things and generally having a rest from the road. They have everything within easy reach.
In the six days here I have seen no other gringos. Though many tourists are here, they are generally from Argentina.
My fry pan was just about to loose its handle from vibration, it was bought in Colombia in February. The guys at the ferretería across the road put new rivets in it for me. I guess not too many people get five dollar fry pans repaired.
A new aluminium pot for boiling water was also bought, it has a kink in the rim that acts as a spout, my other pot only has smoth rim, to much water was being wasted during pouring into a cup.
My bike has been cleaned and the rear derailleur washed well in petrol to clear dust build up.
Loic showed me a brilliant way to clean a chain.
· Get a large plastic drink bottle
· Third fill with petrol
· Drop your chain in trough the top
· Screw the lid on and shake well
· Cut bottle open and extract a perfectly clean chain
· No dirty hands!!
· Such a good idea
The days for me have been so relaxing, having siesta in the afternoons, watching movies, talking to lots of people on skype and eating ice creams.
I finally got to the dentist, $24 for a filling.
It is so nice to see the dental fraternity in this part of Argentina are still living in the real world.
Some days here have been mild, whilst others have been ruffled with a freezing wind, the “sonda” it is a cold wind common here from the south. One day it is tee shirts and shorts while the next requires coats, beanies and longs.
Whilst here the decision to try and get some Spanish lessons was made.
Asking about, the trail led me to Escuela 370. Here a teacher, Corina said she would try to find someone to help me.
In the end she came to the hostal and said she would be happy to do it.
She is the English teacher at a few schools here.
The children take an hour a week of English studies.
On Saturday Corina and her husband came to pick me up and take me back to their house. In a new subdivision just out of town, near the cable car route to the Sierra de Sangasta, west of town.
It was great getting casual lesson in a good environment with someone who could answer some questions in English.
For me just brushing up on small talk was what I needed, this we did for a few hours.
During the afternoon, a stroll was taken to the museum displaying the history of the cable car.
It was built by Germans in the early 1900’s to deliver gold laden ore from the ranges to the west some 30km away and at an altitude of over 4000m.
My Ice breaker under pants are now see through with large holes from behind. The two pairs lasted 5000km each.
They will be hard to replace, it is important for me to do so with another couple of woollen pairs.
Hopefully, my son Callum will find some to bring from Australia. Though, Chile, the only country here selling Ice Breaker may have them.
A pair of cotton boxers was bought, it will be interesting to see how they go.
Wool is so good at not holding odours!.
Today, Sunday, Fabian came to get me for more lessons. After these, with their two young daughters they took me into the ranges to see a couple of the stations on the cable car route.
The views back over town were brilliant. I have a bit of a climb out of here when I leave.
They put on a BBQ with their neighbours in the afternoon. It was great just experiencing a bit of normal Argentinean life.
Shit, talk about meat for lunch, we ate beef, in a variety of cuts, chirizo and other sausages.
It was the biggest intake of meat for sometime, every bit was enjoyed and perfectly cooked. Local red wine was enjoyed with the meal. Though most of the time meat is not eaten, tuna and sardines make up a large part of my once living and moving diet.
The house where Corina and Fabien live has been built by the government and they rent to buy it.
The prime minister here is initiating a lot of these projects. The houses are very small. Many people in the street had put garages and extensions on. The properties are occupied for about $100,000.
Here is video of us riding the Salar de Uyuni in August
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHYsRxUDveA
 Typical state of many banknotes, it is no problems using these.
 Hostal Del Paiman, really laid back and comfortable
 Towers of the Ore cable car went all the way into the mountains in the background.
 Equipment required for a good Yerba Mate:
Bombilla, mate and the product
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 Carina, Fabian and the girls, great company.
 Cristo del Portezuelo, east end of town
 Cactus garden near town
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