Last Wednesday I left Montevideo to go to Buenos Aires to meet up with the other YAGMs and Kate to do our second retreat. We were meeting in Buenos Aires then going on an 8 hour bus ride to a town called Sierra de la Ventana. While walking around Buenos Aires, I felt something fall on my head... yep! It was bird poop. Here they say it is good luck if a bird poops on you, but I never really believed that... nor did it prove to be true in my case. I walked around Buenos Aires for a few hours carrying a pretty heavy backpack that I had to go camping and clothes for a week. Well, we got to the bus station about 45 minutes early, so we had some time to waste. I left my backpack with a couple of the volunteers and went to check the Internet. While there, one of the girls came in and told me that my bag was STOLEN! So... the bus was leaving in 10 minutes... I went camping with no backpack and the clothes on my back. Thank goodness my passport and camera were in my purse that was with me! When we got to Sierra de la Ventana, Kate (our coordinator) was waiting for us and we had to tell her what happened. Then we went to a second-hand store to buy a couple things that would get me through the days camping.
This is me shopping for my camping clothes and the place where we went camping. We camped at the base of the mountain. The little hole in the mountain is where they get the name "Ventana" or "window." It was a beautiful place, but it got unusually cold and without my clothes and little tolerance for cold weather, I was chilled to the bone most of the trip. The day we hiked up to "La Ventana" was however a gorgeous day. I borrowed tennis shoes so I could hike in something other than flipflops. On the way down the mountain (that is very rocky) I fell on my face. Literally, ON MY FACE. It hurt.
The end.
While in these moments, I was not a happy camper (literally), I can now laugh and have some stories that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will just say I am happy to be "home" in Montevideo for now.
6 comments:
When you go on a camping trip, you don't have to actually trip.
Now you know why I don't go camping! I have to say I felt bad reading about your luck, but have to admit I did laugh at the end. Sorry for the inconvenience, but you did get to go shopping! Glad you're safe & warm now. Love you!
Whew... what a relief! And I'm NOT referring to your bad luck. I saw your first picture before I read your post, and thought it was a picture of your room! Hee hee.
So sorry your camping experience was overshadowed by your lack of comfortable (and warm) clothes. The mountains look beautiful... all of God's creation! My son Dave reports that hiking DOWN a rock-covered mountainside path is the hardest of all mountain hiking! (and then he goes and does it on his bike at 50 MPH!!) At least you weren't seriously hurt!
Alas, now you won't know whether to look up (for birds) or down (for tripping hazards).
Hi Mary! I have been M.I.A. but I miss you and I enjoyed your story! Hope your face is feeling better! (-:
Love,
Jacinda
Your dad has an amazing gift of being able to find a pun in all circumstances! I thought your bathing suit top was especially interesting. Was that a throw-back to your "3 year old' style? Should I post that picture so we can compare? Good job for making the best of the situation!
Mary, you are a BOLD WOMAN and I can't wait to meet you! I've had all the same experiences (stolen bag, falling on face & bird target) but not at the same time!
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