The finish of the first run.

Note: Google doesn´t even know where I am now, so it might be indicated incorrectly on the map below. But that doesn´t matter: I am in Caviahue, a actually existing town in the Province of Neuquen, 27 years young.

The finish of the first run of my travelling, you might wonder why? I have only just begun, haven´t I? Well, nonetheless it´s a good time to draw up the balance so far (or is that too much Dunglish?:)) because my dearly beloved girlfriend is joining me soon in my journey (:D!), because I am leaving Patagonia soon, because I am really starting to thinking in Spanish now, and some futile reasons more. In a sense I feel that a new part is about to begin, and that alone is enough to put me in front of a computer with the best worst internet connection. (But hey, even at the foot of a half-active Vulcanoe, there IS internet!:))

In some of your reactions to my blog, you let me know that it´s all nice and fluffy, these poems and literature-like stories, but after reading it you still don´t really know what I am DOING here (in the first place). Well, you´re right, I´ve been flying sky-high with inspiration and ideas a bit foot-loose, so thanks for putting me back on the ground again: I haven´t lost my dreaminess, but at least I am aware now. So, for the eager analytical, down-to-earth, calculating among you (and the less so as well), here is a extensive draw-up of the balance so far, neatly ordered in consecutive digits (:P). Let the numbers speak for themselves.

In a subtle 72 days:
- 1 time spontaneously invited by a local family
- 2 trekkings (15 days in total)
- 2 stays at families
- 2 bikes rented (or just taken)
- 2 concerts given with an audience over 15 persons
- 3 times stranded while hitchhiking, having to spend the night on a unintended place
- 3 drumkits I played on
- 5 campings I stayed at
- 5 buses I took, mostly just in and out of town rides
- 6 times of crossing a border (so far only ARG-CHI and vice versa)
- 6 carton boards that indicated my destination (and I need a new marker now)
- 6 days spent sick in bed or at the seat of a truck (story on it´s own)
- 6 guitars I played on (but I think it´s more)
- 8 provinces I got to know, Chilean and Argentinian
- 14 hostels I spent a night or more in
- 31 hitchhikes, 2 of whom were Trucks
- 126 pages of Travel Journey written (I need a new booklet)
- 1500 kms, the largest stretch one hitch ever took me (Chalten-Bariloche)
- +/- 6000 kms travelled (1/5th of the Equator) of which at least 5000 hitchhiking

(Approximate variaty of people met: 4% Dutch, 11% German, 13% French, 9% American, 34% Argentinian, 14% Chilean, 15% rest)

An interesting thing is that I am starting to become partly Argentian. The first time I noticed this was when I spent some time in Chile and crossed borders again into Argentina. Standing on Argentinian soil again somehow made me feel strangely - at home. I felt I knew exactly how to act, speak, ask, and drink mate...I could reckognize the differences between the countries. Nice and exotic feeling, which I didn´t expect to have in Argentina! What I like most of Argentina are it´s people: In a country that was once one of the richest in the world, and has a ubiquitous corruption system (Yes, corruption is embedded in the system here) people here seem to regard their nationality as a part of a system quite laughable. It might be a sad thing that they lack anything that binds them politically, but it definitely gives rise to a population with strong minds, highly individual personalities and with absolutely no fear. This might strike you as a uncomforting place to go on vacation to, but it is a perfect place to go out to on adventure. The two-on-two conversations during the numerous hitchhikes gave me lots to think about as of my own nationality and roots, and has shown me that behind this facade of individuality lies a yearning to share time, share stories and for openness to converse. All you have to do is smile and ask: ´Mate?´. (For the non-experts: Mate is a drink of herbs that Argentinians drink troughout the country: It is shared and is more about the passing time together than the quality of the drink)
Remarkably enough my leaving of Patagonia comes at a right time: For the first time since mid February, I felt tired of the endless steppes and eternal distances: Ofcourse there´s a hell of a lot more desert up north, but I´ve been told that it´s different from the Patagonian steppe: It has to be, because these fields are unique in their kind. It has been a unforgettable two months.

Some anecdotes:
- Complicated simplicity while hitchhiking>
´Sir, do you know what is the altitude of Caviahue?´
´Yes, I do! It´s lower dan Copiahue!´

- I still don´t know wether the streetdogs here a supersmart, yearning for some food or both: They can come along with you on (multiple!) day treks and pretend to be your guardian angel like you´ve been raising them for 10 years. When the food comes out of your backpack it´s prime time and they come sit next to you with their sweetest eyes: ´Haven´t I guided you perfectly in my disguised beggin-trap?´. Uhu.

- My birthday has been a blast: Thank you for all your birthday wishes and ofcourse the contributions I was begging for. I stood up, had this great walk with a mixed group of people with a real ´Buena Honda´ (Literally translated: Good vibe, but meaning so much more) , genuine laughter and conversations. Inthe evening I enjoyed a great dinner and last but not least: A real chocalate-peach birthday cake! I get lucky now and then... (If it wasn´t for the free beers that night)

Allright, I´m going to head on, enjoying the fine cappuchino in this cosiest-ever bar/internet cafe! Before you know it there´s a new blog coming!:) In a few days Santiago de Chile will be on my hitchhike board and I hope to meet some new and old friends up there.

Thanks for enjoying my blog:)

ps. Earplugs are a traveller´s best friend.