Familia de Neuquen

 The time finally arrived when we would travel to the province of Neuquen to visit with Don's cousin's.  It was another day of travel (from Puetro Iguazu to Buenos Aires with a two hour layover before our connecting flight) but when  wefinally landed we were greeted by Carlos and his brother Roberto. Roberto, who was super helpful in many ways, had arranged for our stay in a quaint hotel in the heart of Neuqen (which was a perfect place from which to explore the town.)

 In Neuquen, we would join the celebrations for Carlos' 60th birthday (that's him above at the party!!) and to spend time with other cousins. While the girls and I had met some of the Argentine family in California, it was a whole different experience to visit with them there.  Not unlike the Coughlin Clan, the Argentine family was warm, welcoming, generous and accommodating. The family may be living on two separate continents but the bonds are deep. I was moved by how easily the girls were embraced by their older cousins. The attention they received was soaked up by both girls.

 

 First night at Anna (left) and Roberto's (in the chair) where we feasted on empanadas, pizza, and pasta for the girls. Don and I had seen them over the summer in San Francisco but being in their home allowed the girls and I to get to know them better. We quickly discovered that Anna is most gracious and warm host. She made sure the picky eaters in our family (can you guess who?!) had plenty of pasta, parmigiana and butter.

Anna & Roberto

Above Anna and Roberto with their daughter Veronica and her husband Alan. Don and I had not seen Veronica since her visit to California when Amara was about six months old. She has since married Alan, a great guy, who we were thrilled to get to know. That Veronica and Alan spoke English made it much easier for myself and the girls. We spent lots of time talking about our love of traveling. A trip together in the future may be in order!

The night of the party, the girls were so excited. I had the girls take a nap that day because I knew the party would be an all nighter. In Argentina, things start late. The party didn't start till 9:30. We head back to our hotel until 2 a.m. Amara, who thought herself a grownup, stayed up the entire time. Havana passed out around midnight (see below)

The girls and I met Sole (Carlos' daughter) this past winter when she was visiting California. I hit it off with her immediately. She and I work in the same field and she shares a love of photography. Because her English is so perfect, she was by point person during my research and planning of our excursion to South America. I couldn't have planned a better trip without her assistance and input. Sole was patient with me during my many pretrip questions and was wonderful with the girls while in Argentina;  both girls now adore Sole. I think it's safe to say the feelings were mutual.

Anna (Carlos married an Anna too!), Amara and Carlos.

Me and My Gal shared a lot of dances.

Victoria, Carlos and Roberto's mother, with Don.

Victoria with Mara, a family friend that Don had not seen since 1999. We later visited her in the Lake District in the Andes.

Amara and Sole shared a lot of dances too!

  

The above photo is deceiving; Amara tried to sleep for all of ten minutes and Havana is the one who passed out long before her. The party was a blast and we all went home tired but with big smiles and tired feet from dancing! The next day, just past noon Roberto and his family picked us up and we went out to their lake house, about 40 minutes north of town. It was muy tranquilo with sublime views. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday after an all night party!

Don taught Amara and Havana how to play pool. Just look at the views in the background!

We sat down to the first meal of the day a couple of hours past noon. Breaking bread with our family was perhaps one of the highlights of our trip. To share food, stories, laughter...those are the things that weave a tighter family tapestry.

I must add that I was quite impressed with how the girls managed with trying many new things and eating at odd hours (for them). Of course, snacks along the way helped but both Amara and Havana tried many new foods this trip, especially Havana who is by far the pickier of the two.

Cousin Anna is our new hero! While at the lake house, she stitched up Luvey (for Amara) so that she no longer had a tear and she fixed her tail. She also repaired a hole in Suckey. (for Havana) The girls were so relieved that their babies were mended. But Anna didn't only help the girls out; I had taken our clothing to the laundromat on the Saturday of the party and did not know they closed at 4 p.m. We got there after 4 p.m. And, they would not open again until 9 a.m. Monday, which meant, I had no clothes for Carlos' party. Anna bailed me out by lending me a dress and other needed items. I actually looked better in her clothing than my own.

We owe Anna big time!!

The above three photos are the actual photos of the colors of the sky; no photo shopping. The sky and sunrise were just stunning that night.