Argentina

i really wish i got a tattoo in buenos aires

whenever i return from my travels, it feels like everything was a dream. you get sucked into reality, and it almost feels like no time has passed. despite having a significant amount of personal growth chunked into a small period, you’re reminded that the experiences were limited to yourself.

everything at home stays relatively static.

this is kind of why i’m keen on documenting everything in various formats: text, photos and video. 1) it feels like my memory is getting worse, 2) documentation is the fastest way to remind myself specifics that i would have otherwise forgotten.

what i’m noticing is video has deemed to be the most helpful, even if it’s just a few seconds of conversation between a friend. it captures not just the visual memory, but also the atmosphere, voices, and subtle emotional nuances that photos and text might miss. there's something powerful about being able to hear a friend's laugh or see the way they moved in a particular moment.

i wish i did capture more videos in my previous travels, heck even in argentina – but going forward, most def this will be key.

home time

there’s so much dog poop everywhere

Well, I missed my flight home. I don’t even have a funny story for it, I literally just slept in. This is what I get for saying I didn’t want to go home.

On bright side, literally, it’s 30 degrees here and it’s in the negatives back home.

Also… thank god for credit card points, i guess

I haven’t posted as much here because I documented everything on youtube 🤝

Just saw a girl, maybe 10-12, rap her heart out over a Spanish version of dead presidents. On the metro during rush hour. Sounded so fire.

City is absolutely massive though. I didn’t expect that.

I’m in Buenos Aires now for the rest of my trip. I do like it but I also don’t? The city is lacking flair, lacking something. I can’t pinpoint it. It’s beautiful, reminiscent of European cities, nice green spaces but a bit … empty feeling?

I guess I can’t figure out what makes it uniquely “Argentinian.” I’ll keep trying.

I also don’t enjoy being in cities without meaningful international cuisine- but this has to do more with my own dietary restrictions.

Hiked up to Base Torres yesterday, today we’re doing Valle de Frances. 18km back to back.

For the little amount of planning I do while travelling and the way things always work out for me, you would think I’m the luckiest man alive. It does stress my friends out though when I travel with them.

Yesterday (20th) was near perfect. It was also my first day completely solo. Woke up a bit late but hiked over to Laguna Torre, which was super chill, easy trail. It was nice to see the mountains the whole time while walking through the bushes(?) then having a change of scenery in the forest.

Napped a bit once I got to the end, they had these cool little shelters that block the wind. Journaled, sketched and enjoyed myself. A little cloudy but didn’t mind it.

The clouds looked cool in an odd toronado form I’ve never seen before, and since we could see the mountains from town, everyone including locals was out taking photos of Mt. Fitz Roy. It’s always nice to see people appreciate the things that most people would often overlook.

Feeling really good, happy. I don’t know the right word to describe it, but I’m very at ease.

lots of cats and dogs to pet as well : )

21st
Hitchhiked for the first time today. Nothing crazy, I was standing out for ~30 minutes and got picked up by an empty tourism van. I was super nervous and felt awkward waiting out there but it got easier as more cars went by. I’d be keen to try it again.

I’m making ways to Chile tomorrow, I kind of lost out on ~3 days due to travel unfortunately. Today, tomorrow, and then the return day from Chile.

I’ll do two hikes while in Chile which I’m excited about but weather doesn’t look like it’s on my side.

A small part of me wishes I planned a little more in advance for this, I could have done a multi-day trek or something. But honestly, when I booked my flight, the plan was to stay in BA for three weeks – I wasn’t even thinking of Patagonia, but I made the most of it now.

We’re on day five. So much has happened and I’m feeling good. Happy.

Hiked up Laguna des los Torres and Laguna Torre. Tomorrow, I’m contemplating hitchhiking down to El Calafate. I have the day free and not much energy to hike, so might as well make the most of it.

I love being in the mountains man, I wish we had some in Toronto.

Excited. This is going to be one hell of a trip.

Day one. Man, I was anxious and stressed the night before. Lots happened already.

I left my house late and almost missed my flight. I arrived at the gate at 8:02AM. The flight was supposed to depart at 8:00AM lol

Currently in Bogota, I had a whole day planned out where I was going visit some food spots and the fruit market but decided against pushing my luck as the immigration line was long. I didn’t want to risk missing my flight after what already happened.

Nice to be here though, speaking Spanish again, and a bit of reminiscing. Bogota is where I ended my trip last year when I travelled Mexico and Colombia.

For the layover, chilling in a lounge, documenting things and getting work done. I also made a quick youtube video, hoping I can keep it up for the rest of the trip.

Booked last minute and planning last minute, but we going to make it work. I thought it would be years before I visit Patagonia, but had a realization there’s nothing stopping me from going.. now? So, let’s do it.