El Bolson, Argentina
I stepped off the bus in El Bolson and was greeted by azure skies. Drumbeats floated through the warm afternoon air, landing sweetly in my ears. I have no maps or guidebooks for Argentina, so I show up in every town essentially blind. Not knowing what direction to go for tourist information, camping, or even the town center I decided to just follow the music. This led me to the central plaza and the festivities that mark the end of Carnival. The crowd of drummers was preceded by women of all ages dressed in white, hips gyrating to the beat and wide smiles across their faces as they danced around the plaza.
Every night in the same plaza there was some entertainment to be found. Families gathered on the grass and sidewalks to watch clowns perform, musicians play guitar and jugglers tossing clubs in the air. Time spent in any restaurant in the evenings would bring its share of entertainment as well. Artists would stroll in, remove a violin or guitar from a case and play a few songs before moving on. If music and performance is not your thing, this is also the town of Herman the Creep fame. I feel certain that if he had stuck around, he would try to fondle you too.
I spent a week here, hiking in the hills and wandering around the many farms, mostly organic, that roll along the valley floor.
This particular farm included an organic dairy with delicious cheese, apple trees and berries.
Incredible hiking was all within either a short bus ride or walking distance from town.
Crossing rivers can sometimes be treacherous…I considered swimming over taking these “bridges”, parts of which had to be jumped to avoid the areas where the wood had fallen away. Comforting…
but the hikes were worth it, every time. You can’t beat fern carpets,
wild fuchsias,
and gorgeous views.
It was hard not to just stop here and consider myself home.
stephwithoutborders 