Sept. 20, 2008 Parte Dos: Freezing in the Monte
Sept. 20, 2008
Parte Dos: Freezing in the Monte
Because of our ill-fated trip to the river, it is now too late to drive on to Majadas. While it’s only about 15 km away, the drive in full dark is too dangerous. Tuli suggests we stay for the night and leave early in the morning. This seems reasonable.
While in the 80’s and sunny during the day, the arid, semi-desert forest which is Santiago del Estero, gets very cold at night. Before dinner, sleeping arrangements are made.
Pitching tents; Garconita, Argentina.
Tents are pitched and I go to examine the insect-proof room in Tuli’s rancho. The ceiling is good, the walls and floor too. However, there is a wooden shutter on the window, with no glass or screen. I close the shutter and check its’ seals closely. No good - I can see the outside through the frame. If I can see out, than vinchucas can get in. Not sleeping here, thank you.
After dinner, the sun goes down and the temperature drops quickly. Somehow, Chris, Colleen, Tim and I all missed the memo about bringing sleeping bags, gloves, hats and jackets. Soon Chris heads for a tent with an air mattress and only a t-shirt and a microfiber pullover, Colleen goes into one truck with a pullover fleece that Tim has given her and I take the other truck, wrapped in my trusty, well-traveled shawl and lie down in the back seat.
Very soon, the door opens and Tim takes the front seat. He is very tall, moves the seat all the way back. In the blistering cold of the truck I debate with myself - fall asleep and die or just die? But no. With my unfeeling toes scrunching up and my body aching I know exactly what to do in this situation. Tim and I start talking. We must have talked for hours. I am an avid talker to begin with - and have been further encouraged by the Argentine Frenette I had discovered at dinner! Once the Frenette starts to wear off, the cold really starts to seep in. I am worried about my son. I want to go to his tent and see how he is but I am afraid of snakes. Are they out on cold nights? Phobia wins out over Maternal Love….plus, if I move I think a bone might crack right off. Very little, if any, sleep is had that night. And it is a long night.
Tim thawing out in the early hours
When morning finally arrives, smokes starts to curl from the chimney at the rancho. There is a fire in the fireplace and Tim, Chris, Colleen and I all run over and huddle around it, trying to thaw. Gerardo brings me a sleeping bag while Colleen finds out just how warm Tuli’s wool weaving really is! Where was it last night?
Finally, the roaring fire gets us going!
Our noses are red from the cold as my son looks at me and announces, “I’m really mad Mom and the buck stops with you.” Is he referring to the cold or my phobia vs maternal love? “Think of it as part of your Argentine Adventure,” I say, as I push him closer to the fire. Ah well, tough love is part of maternal love too.
Tags: adventure, Argentina, cold at night, Freezing, Garconita, insect proof, santiago del estero, vinchuca
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