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Published: December 25th 2007
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Christmas Eve
Our lives are rough! Merry Christmas! We hope everyone is having a great holiday! As for us, things are pretty good. It´s only 100 degrees and sunny today. . . . a little too warm actually, but I guess we can´t complain too much! Christmas isn´t a very big holiday in Argentina, at least by American standards. Most of the stores are closed today, and waffle day did not happen, but other than that there really aren´t many signs that it´s Christmas. We have seen a couple houses with small trees, but no stockings, no Santa Clauses, Rudolph, snowmen. . . . .nothing really. It makes it a little hard to believe it´s the end of December!
Yesterday was really hot as well so we took our intertubes and floated down the river to where Matt has been catching our food for dinner. The float took most of the day, which was fine because it was sooooo hot outside and the river felt great! Well, at least the second half of the river felt great. . . . the first half of the river was just a little too shallow for the intertubes (maybe we just need to lose some weight) but our backsides
and legs got a little banged-up on the first half of the trip. After that it was smooth sailing, except for the trees that Matt guided me into. . . . all in all it was a great way to spend the afternoon!
After the river we came back to the campground, floated in the pool for a while, and cooked fondue for dinner, a Gibson family tradition. Sorry mom, it is a little too hard to cook lasagna with a single burner stove and a campfire. Even we aren´t that good! We sang and toasted with rum. . . . no aquaveet here! We tried our best to make a traditional Christmas Eve!
Today is more relaxed. We went out to breakfast at one of the only restaurants that was open and played cards until about 2:00p. Then Matt got on his bus to the fishing hole where he has to catch dinner for tonight. Nothing is open and we have no refridgerator, so it is either fish or ham paté. . . . I really hope he gets the fish!
We had some more unwanted excitement at the campground a few days ago. . .
. We woke up to find that someone had come through the campsite and emptied all the bags. Our backpacks were laying against the tent so we dont´know how we didn´t hear them. . . anyway, they stole our other camera and our good knife! While it is horrible that the camera as gone again, we intially thought it was a lot worse! We were really looking at heading home for Christmas because we thought everything was gone. . . . Luckily they missed the pocket that held our passports, credit cards and cash. They also left the $1000+ of fishing equiptment, the $200 stove, and all our clothes. Given that, things could have been much worse. We bought a camera at one of the local stores, but I think we are going to return it. The cameras are really expensive compared to prices in the US and the quality isn´t as good. . . . . I´ve been looking online but I don´t think Argentina is quite up to speed about ordering things online.
Oh, I bought running shoes! This may not be exciting for most people but it gives me something to do while Matt is fishing.
While I enjoy going to the river with him, everyday is a little much for me! I have resorted to about every other day on the river and have been finding great trails for running to fill my afternoons. The scenery around here is amazing! I would recommend this area to anyone who is looking to get away for a while!
I´ll have to get Matt on the computer to share some of his fishing stories for all of you fishing enthusiasts. . . . my second-hand versions of the stories will not do justice to Matt´s fishing experience thus far in Patagonia.
Oh, and we rented a car for the end of January in Rio Grande, Argentina. The town is WAY down south and is supposed to have some of the best fishing in the world. For this reason it is also really expensive! According to the Loney Planet this is where celebrities/ex-presidents come to fish. We are counting on the car to also serve as a hotel. . . . plus we will finally have the freedom to make our own path through the area! We are really looking forward to this!
We are heading
Building the Fire
Fish for Christmas Eve! out on a 4 day hike to Heilo Azul (Blue Ice) tomorrow or the next day. It will be nice so go see something new again. After that we will probably start making our way south. . . . we still have to go see the penguins!
I think that´s all I have to report for now! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Dad (tomorrow)! We´ll have to re-celebrate the holiday season when we get back to the states!
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Jeanne Zoppo
non-member comment
Wow!
Wow, you two look so tan. Especially you, Elyse!! I'm jealous!! I'm glad you both are having a good time down there though. Merry Christmas!!