Comments on: Three Vignettes: Beautiful Everyday People of Northwest Argentina

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:27:43 +0000

@Phyllis: I suspect there are leagues of attendees of the great blackouts (I’m thinking the one in NYC a few years ago, in particular) that are inclined to agree. Nothing like a step back in time and a bit of a slowdown for people to come together and get to know one another.

@Johanna: Very sweet. Proving again that some of the very best travel experiences are unscripted and unforeseen. Thank you.

@Gaea: When I saw your name, I knew it could be only one.

“The quest for important things — like coffee” — can I quote you?

Missing you, too. Thanks for delivering a smile.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:26:08 +0000

It’s those moments for which we travel)

By: Gaea

Gaea — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:15:06 +0000

I remember trying to find a coffee with you guys one morning too. It is the quest for important things – like coffee – that leads to great exchanges like this one. I’m missing you both stationed at a cafe in Albuquerque.

By: Johanna Voss

Johanna Voss — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:18:00 +0000

Back in December, my boyfriend James and I were couchsurfing with a young woman and her boyfriend near the Grampians in Australia. The woman was out of town for the night but the boyfriend came home after work and said to the two of us–
“Would you like to come to my grandparent’s for dinner? When she heard about you two she wanted to invite you (even tho she doesnt really understand the cs’ing idea) she couldn’t bear the thought of you eating alone?”

So along we went to his grandparent’s place. They were sheep farmers with a what I thought was huge farm (thousands of acres) although we were told it was small, sitting between grandma and grandpa as well as some uncles and the young guy’s dad. I learned so much about sheep farming and farming that night it was unreal. And then on the drive back home (which was from the middle of nowhere) we drove by the light of the full moon, winding our way thru the fields. It was beautiful and made our Australian experience that much more authentic.

Johanna

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:08:52 +0000

We were in the Boston area this summer for my nephew’s graduation – a big wind went through town and knocked all the trees over. We met many neighbors of my brothers’ that afternoon helping everyone pick up limbs, etc. Still enjoyed our cookout graduation party! I have always found that it is easy to meet people when the power goes out!

@ Sarah Wu – Come to Eastern Kentucky – tobacco farms are going out of fashion, but you can still find many of them here.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:03:04 +0000

@Warren: Whether or not we start this tour company imminently, we look forward to crossing paths and swapping stories.

@Michael: We’re with you. The most memorable, by far.

@Erin: Thanks. It guess it boils down to curiosity (well, and the need to get coffee). I also know that more often than not, people are surprisingly friendly. And when they happen not to be, you just sort of move on.

The other feature at work: although we get weird or curious looks from people in these sorts of situations, they are much less likely to judge us than people who know us. I know that’s counter-intuitive, but I believe it’s true.

@Keith: That’s the way to do it. Those good deeds pay dividends. Enjoy your month in this region – it’s really a great area to meet people and explore.

@Jason: It was a terrific trip. I wonder if we were fortunate beyond normal or whether that area just delivers 24x7x365. Given the people, I’m inclined to think the latter.

@Andi: Thanks. Great suggestion, actually.

@Sarah: Tobacco indeed. Senor Guerrero also told me they grow garlic and peppers.

@Maca: Thank you for sharing such beautiful sentiments.

Wow, you’ve lived in some beautiful places. Your suggestion to Erin about easy going is a good one. It’s always a good idea to meet people where they are at.

I love your description “human activity done with calm and with a religious nap.” Sounds like a recipe for peace and tranquility to me.

By: Maca

Maca — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 06:57:18 +0000

I’m form Argentina. I actually live in Buenos Aires but up till last year I was living in the southern Island: Tierra del Fuego. I have went to those northern places the previous winter (for this half of the world) and I can personally say to Erin, that the only need, if you want such kind of experience, is to be a little easygoing because they are totally friendly and peaceful people. Itâ€™s often said that this is for the reason of the climate and the high altitude that led human activity to be done with calm and with a â€œreligiousâ€ nap from after lunch till 3 pm! Nonetheless, the wonderful landscape is worth to be alive. I really love my country and I hope I can someday see rest of the world. Thank you for shearing this fulfilling moments of your travels.

By: Andi

Andi — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:20:45 +0000

Yes, TOTALLY!!! I love this message! You should create a website called sharemorecupsofcofee.com. Haha!!! What an AWESOME post and pics as always. 🙂

By: Sarah Wu

Sarah Wu — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:05:32 +0000

Awesome shots! Tobacco? That’s really interesting post. I only visited coco beans farms or sugar cane field. Hopefully I’ll get to meet some tobacco pickers in my life : P

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:39:23 +0000

It’s true, when I look back on that road trip I realize how lucky we were to experience real life in Northern Argentina with real people.