a self-supported bicycle tour through South America

  Well, here we are in Bariloche biding our time waiting for new rims and a bike trailer to come from Buenos Aires and the wheels to be rebuilt.  We are hopeful that new rims and a trailer (to redistribute weight) will ensure no more problems with punctures and spokes.  Fingers crossed and stay tuned for updates on that one!  Needless to say, we have stocked up on inner tubes and puncture repair kits in preparation for the rocky roads of the Carretera Austral.

When we arrived we consulted the Lonely Planet for a good place to stay and came across the 7 de Febrero Hotel smack bang in the middle of town.  A dated place but immaculate rooms and an incredible view across the Lake welcomed us.  The owner, Gabriel has been worth his weight in gold as he has acted as translator for us for the trailer distributor and has no idea how grateful we are.  Note to self:  must choose Spanish for next degree or cycle through Indonesia to utilise 3 years of study and exams.

Bariloche is a gorgeous mountain town located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi.  It is the center for the Argentine Lake District and some of the most powerful looking snow capped mountain ranges that we have seen to date.  It is also the prime destination for skiing and, during the summer, for teenagers to party their way to post exam celebrations.  V glad that we aren’t visiting at that time of the year (am I really sounding like an old person?)  Although all the hotels are booked solid for 5 days as their is a religious youth conference going on.  As a result I have not allowed the Revolutionary Mountain Goat out on his own - for obvious reasons.

Because we were kicked out of the hotel, we were forced to find lodgings elsewhere….and lady luck was shining because we found a tiny little bungalow a short distance from the centre of town for a tenner a night!  Half the price of what we were paying at the hotel and with the added benefit of being able to cook our own food.  No BBC World though.  We never thought we would hear ourselves say that we are "sick to death of eating out"!  So we are stocking up on our vegetable intake as my little hypochondriac thinks he is getting scurvy, but doesn’t believe me when I tell him that french fries do not constitute vegetables.

Now, when we are cycling along with nothing to do but think, and count down the kilometers to lunch, we come up with great ideas for blogs and blog titles but when we come to writing, all our great ideas are forgotten.  So, the other day, knowing that we would have a few days to fill in I made sure that I would remember the things I wanted to tell you about.  Something also happened the other day whilst riding into Bariloche that made me think…I must write about this so luckily for you guys it has stuck and my memory hasn’t failed me totally…yet!

When I was little, I was a bit of a Daddy’s Girl.  My dad called me Princess and if I ever wanted anything I would always go to dad (the Mountain Goat is feeling the effects of this childhood now, bless him).  Mum would always say no, so I learnt pretty quickly that dad was the one to get you what you wanted; when I wanted to grow my hair long it was dad who said yes (and dad who didn’t talk to me for two weeks when, at age 19, I got it cut short without consulting him!); it was dad who let me get my ears pierced, aged 9, and dad who would have to change my earrings with his dirty pipe stove fingers whilst I would faint from the sensation of the pin in my ear;  when I wanted the hot pink tartan overalls that Stacey and Jody had it was dad that I took down to Target to buy them for me; and the white boot rollerskates; and the totem tennis. I was a lucky girl and I loved to spend time with my dad.

Which brings me to the Bushie.  I thank my dad for teaching me the fine art of the Bushie, and the Mountain Goat can be grateful for me being such an astute learner.  My mum will be horrified for telling you about this I am sure, but I guess I should enlighten those in the dark…although I am sure you have all done a Bushie at one stage in your life and just didn’t realise it had a name.

The Bushie is quite simply the act of blowing your nose through one nostril without a hankie or tissue.  Before I go on, however, it must be noted that the Bushie is a clean blow with no residue left on your sleeve, trouser leg or shoe.  It is a strong, hard blow that dislodges the … booga and leaves you breathing freely.  There are few things better in life than a clean dry breath through clear nostrils. 

On a trip like the one we are doing, you learn many things about yourself and your travel companion.  You think you know someone, but a journey like this one allows you to get inside and find out how people think.  You become comfortable with that person and share pretty much everything…thoughts, feelings, frustrations, impatience, hygiene, and peculiarities.  It is an interesting lesson in humanity and relationships that we are being exposed to.

Nevertheless I am digressing.  When we were in Peru, I contracted a bit of a head cold.  This meant that I was constantly needing to blow my nose whilst on the road cycling, and for me this meant stopping.  The Mountain Goat soon tired of this routine due to the slow progress, and so I introduced him to the Bushie (whilst balancing on the handlebar with one hand trying desperately not to fall off).  Not a very lady like thing to show your boyfriend, but there were smiles all around when I didn’t need to stop anymore.  So, whenever the need arises to blow one’s nose, the Bushie comes into play. 

Which brings me to the other day when cycling into Bariloche.  I was in front as we were going up a hill (if the Mountain Goat is in front I don’t see him for dust) and felt the need to Bushie.  The wind was not in the Mountain Goat’s favor and unfortunately wore a little bit of the Bushie.  Admittedly, not a nice thing to be wearing whilst grinding up a hill, but gee it was funny - for me!  Do, however, let me take this opportunity to let the Mountain Goat know how very, very sorry I am and how I promise to be more clean with my Bushie’s in future.  But thank you dad for Bushie Timesaver Tip.

I have so many more topics I could bore you with, but for now I will let you off.  I am just filling in time!