Day: September 28, 2015

The Road to Rio Day #7 “¿Quieres ‘Mate’?”

by reissmd, posted in Uncategorized

Today was our day to see some of the Glaciers of Patagonia.  They were billed as an incredible sight.  And indeed they were. Please see the photos below that of course don’t do justice to the beautiful and awe inspiring experience.

As many of the readers of this blog already know I’m much more interested in interacting with people than I am seeing sights.  Patrice and I conversed with a bunch of people on board the catamaran that carried us to the glaciers.  One Argentinian custom we have learned about was drinking the “mate” (“Mah Tay”).  “Mate” is an infusion.  They put herbs in a cup and add hot water.  Then they drink the liquid through a metal straw with a strainer that prevents the herb from getting into your mouth.
We saw numerous people drinking “mate” on the boat (see below). When we asked different people about the custom, they ALL offered to share the “mate” with us (using the same straw, of course). We declined each time making them think we were a couple of uptight Americans when in reality were are just a couple of germaphobe Americans.

Hasta luego,

Roberto
IMG_3822IMG_3805IMG_3761IMG_3833IMG_3762IMG_3772IMG_3763IMG_3810
And our Captain with his “Mate” close at hand on the control panel.
IMG_3782IMG_3783

Road to Rio Day #6 “Travel Day, Yawn”

by reissmd, posted in Uncategorized

Today was a travel day. We left our hotel shortly after 9 AM escorted by our driver, Mariano, from our first 3 days in Buenos Aires.  We have been incredibly impressed by the efficiency of our tour guides. Everyone has been very prompt, helpful and friendly.

We were taken to El Calafate via Aerolineas Argentina.  It was a 3 hour flight in very cramped quarters.  Luckily we had an empty seat next to us allowing some stretching that would otherwise be impossible.

The flight was relatively smooth and after landing they announced (in Spanish) that we had arrived safely in El Calafate at which point almost the entire cabin of people started to applaud.  Possibly, making it to your destination is an Argentinian rarity worthy of an ovation?
As has become our expectation we were greeted by our guide, Martin, and driver, Lucas, immediately upon leaving El Calafate airport baggage claim (a guy could get use to this) and they oriented us to our itinerary on our way to the hotel.  The hotel is another beautiful facility with amazing staff but it is a bit of a walk from the town’s main area of activity.  That shouldn’t be much of a problem and might help us sleep.
I was up late trying to watch the USC-ASU football game by linking my netbook with my office computer and the Watch ESPN website.  It was great in theory but things didn’t work out so well.  I am happy to report that I was wrong with my prediction and the Trojans won.
Tomorrow we need to board a bus at 7:30.  I needed to get some sleep so decided to get in some training for tomorrow (see below).   The hotel obviously wants us to be able to sleep so provided us a few pillows (see below).  In addition to those on the bed there are two more in the closet.
I know this was a boring entry but after all this blog is only intended to inform my mom that her baby is still alive.  Mama, I am still with us.
I hope to have some more exciting information tomorrow.
Hasta luego,
Roberto
IMG_3748IMG_3749