The New Normal
Moreno Glacier, Argentina
(Navyn) We have just completed our first week on the road. A little different than the usual, to say the least. For starters, there is no routine and everyday brings an unknown adventure. Jolie asks me, “Mom, what will we see in El Chalten?” I don’t know Jolie, I’ve never been to Argentina, we will just have to wait and see. Her diligent logs tell me we have traveled for 25 hours, 48 minutes and 7,764 miles by plane and car since we left on Saturday.
We are pretty remote, have very little wifi, and our typical daily load of laundry has been reduced to once per week. And yet, in a few short days we have seen the sights of Buenos Aires, learned the life and times of Eva Peron (the famed Evita, first lady of Argentina), then headed to Patagonia where we hiked around the legendary Fitz Roy mountain range, kayaked 10 miles down a winding river with breath-taking views, took a boat to the face of the towering Moreno Glacier, followed the snow-capped Andes Mountain range into Chile to the Torres del Paine part of Patagonia where the wind blows so hard, not much can survive but a few llamas, foxes, sheep, condors and ostriches. We are at 51 degrees latitude – equivalent to London, so the sun sets at 10:30pm, allowing us to pack in a lot in each day.
The girls love switching sister roommates every night, have learned how to live out of a suitcase so we can relocate at a moments notice, Halle’s Spanish is terrible, and Jolie has found pizza or pasta almost everywhere and has resorted to Oreos when she has encountered a food crisis. At dinner I asked Jolie if she thought they made crepes with Nutella in China, to which Halle promptly answered, “They make everything in China.” We shall see.
As we spend the next few days wandering, hiking and horseback riding through the Chilean side of Patagonia, the next unknown looms ahead, the Drake Passage, the most dreaded bit of ocean on the globe.
Hey Gang,
Just Googled and watched a video of Drake’s Passage…Hoo Weee!….Looks like a ride at Disneyland…Getting seasick just watching the video (no kidding!)…Hope you have a calm passage…
Those glaciers really are spectacular. But if you wanted ice and cold, it’s -20 F today with the wind chill in Barrington. Can’t believe you decided to pack up and go during this beautiful season.
Miss you Salems!
Dorys Husband
Patagonia is just like Florida, shopping malls, large americans, and many cars
please find us a nice house
navyns husband
Nav,
Is Paul telling everyone in Chile that he’s chummy with Gizele’s husband? Brazil, Chile…same thing.
Hello Salems!
We are thoroughly enjoying your blog updates and amazing photos… they provide for great conversation around the dinner table and so many great new topics/places/people to learn more about for all of us. Keep them coming and safe travels through the Drake Passage! (P.S. – I really want to see a photo of your luggage. All of it in one pile.)
Paulie,
I hear you might be coming back early if you get in Seminole
We found Navyn a house in Fl she will love
Pictures look amazing and guess you will have to buy some new suitcases before you come back
Wonder if Navyn brought any Coco Peanut Butter!
Love you guys
B,d and c
Sending love from BCCUCC. What an adventure you are on, thanks for sharing! You are a brave family!
Fantastic journey! It looks like so much fun/adventure.
What’s been the hardest thing to get used to so far? Food? Foreign pillows?
Horizon. Look deep into the HORIZON. Yes, your sailor friend has incredible motion sickness issues.
Hey Jolie —
Pack a few extra Oreos for the next leg down South. Trips there can sometimes take a few more months than expected and the Penguin can be a bit gamey.
-E.S.
Answer is A) toilet time in Patagonia is extraordinary, the views are incredible
Jolie,
I am happy to hear you are keeping detailed travel logs. I will miss having you in the library, but I know the world is your library now. I am looking forward to hearing what you read.
Love to all~ especially Jolie the Reader!
Mrs. B.
I’m thrilled to imagine Ginny’s young family in these places. September ’13 I got myself from Santiago Chile to Chiloe in the south of Chile not as far as Patagonia, but took a boat ride almost to Bariloche Argentina seeing the snow capped Andes above the blue, blue lakes. Maybe Navyn’s story could inspire my daughters to take their daughters there and beyond and to go around the world, how extradordinary! Bless you as you journey through the Drake Passage.
Love,
Caroline
Looking at the itinerary, I have followed you each day. Hearing from you describing the experiences you are all going through makes it all real. I used to go to Buenos Aires every six months on business for several years, but surely I missed the many wondrous places you are visiting. Truly, you have started on an exceptional educational journey which will be remembered for many years.
Of particular significance is to know that the girls are willing to consider a new roommate each night. The rooms can’t get too messy with the little suitcases each of them has.
Love you all.
Papa
We enjoyed your latest entry from Argentina. – and what a cool tool with the map that shows your future course!
Haley should have visited us here on the ranch to attend my Spanish classes! It’s always fun and meaningful to try to communicate in the language at hand. (Grandma Ginny’s good at that!) Eight of us from my class leave on Thursday for two weeks of Spanish immersion in Cuernavaca, Mexico, at the school I went to with my community college some years ago. We’re quite excited! I’m delighted that my friends are having enough fun with Spanish that they want to undertake such an adventure.
We look forward to your next post.
Love, Aunt Jean
Multiple choice from home. Flushing in the opposite direction
A) increases Paul’s time on the toilet
B) decreases his time because the El Sporto Illustrato is in Spanish.
C) No change
Hysterical Andy!