Dreaded logistics

Christine and I said goodbye in front of her appartment, she flew off to Sao Paulo and I dropped off my bags at the bus station until the ride out. I plan on coming back at the end of my trip to spend some more time with her, we ran out of chatting time! The rest of the day is devoted to logistics.

I got rid of about 8kg's worth of stuff by sending it off to Puerto Madryn (I brought Julio some things from MEC that he wanted, as outdoors stuff is more expensive here despite the exchange rate, and also got him a bottle of whisky as a belated birthday present) and sending other stuff off to friends that had asked for a couple of things.

And despite how often one goes travelling, it seems one always forgets something. On Sunday, as I was packing (yes, this is the day that I was leaving and yes, this is the day I chose to pack), I realised that I hadn't bought a replacement rain cover for my pack, as my old one had gotten ripped through shreds over the years. Although I've rarely had to use it for rain, I've always found it comes in really handy to keep dust out of everything on the many long bus rides coming to Patagonia often entails, it prevents the straps from getting torn during flying, it deters petty thieves to a certain extent, is a good place to put things on while setting up camp, and, of course, prevents the pack from getting wet, which is desireable more because being wet makes it heavier than anything else, as my things are packed mainly in water-resistant bags anyway.

So I went to outdoors stores to get one, at about 5 times the price they sell them for in Canada, and also got a baseball cap. I forgot mine, and since the place I have decided to trek in is apparently very very sunny and often hot until you get a bit higher up, I thought my face would thank me. I also got a baggy, thin, long sleeved shirt. I was annoyed about this, as I have one at home, which I've brought on almost all of my trips but rarely used except on one particular circumstance: when I was trekking through hot, tabano infested places. Tabanos, for the uninitiated (and may you remain so!) are huge, stupid, unendingly aggravating horseflies that can bite through most form fitting clothes and are relentless in their attacks. Hence the longed sleeved, baggier shirt. I've seen the most level-headed people lose it with tabanos when they come in with the sun (they don't like the shade) sounding like hummers, ruining the peace of the land, making going to the bathroom an unnerving and therefore often unsuccessful experience, and I am somewhat ashamed to say that tabanos are really the only insect that have driven me so mad that I've actually shouted obscenities at them. I have nothing against shouting obscenities, let it be clear; it is, however, completely pointless to shout them at insects, which lack both the intelligence and emotions to make this in the least bit useful or even satisfying.

So, already a bit poorer, (but at least, what I bought probably weighs no more than 600g altogether)I look forward to the 21 hour bus ride to Bariloche which will at least save me one night's loding as well as prevent me from spending any more. Once there, I will get rid of my ice climbing and mountain gear (a good 25kg's worth with two bags of food and hydration related stuff) with the company I am taking my course with, and ah, free! I will be mobile again with only one pack of things to carry, and look forward to it.

Now to get something quick to eat. Maybe I should get a bottle of something to knock me out for the long ride too!