Salta

Traveling to Argentina to spend a week with Mike in Salta.

October 17, 14:26

When I left Ecuador I made sure I had dollars left, cause every traveler who had been to Argentina told me that was the smart thing to do, so I did. So together with my 220 dollars, Mike and I went to an office to exchange the money. We got the good rate, cause I left with around 205.000 pesos. Whereas according to the official rate I would have gotten about 77.000 pesos. I am still confused at how all the different exchange rates work, but I’ll figure that out as I go.

October 18, 13:24

Salta is so pretty! We have a full week here in the city and we agreed to spend that time doing absolutely nothing. A little break between all the traveling. We’re taking a walk around the city and I just love these little mailboxes in the doors specifically designed for cards and letters. And then all the different colourful tiles on the houses in doorways. So pretty.

October 19, 21:03

Today Mike found out lamps with buttons on the floor exists.

I don’t really know what to tell you. We are really leaning into the doing of nothing here. I normally can’t really enjoy it - I like to do things, have stuff happening, but right now I actually feel at peace with doing nothing. To do it together is a big help tho. I don’t know if I were to be by myself, I would have enjoyed it as much. I would probably feel restless with a sense of pressure, all imagined by myself for myself. It doesn’t make any sense. So now that I can actually enjoy the nothing, I just go with it.

October 20, 22:42

It was date night! We went to a view point of the city with a fancy restaurant at the top. It was so weird to be there. And to think that I used to go to fancy restaurants all the time. It just doesn’t fit the vibe anymore. Although it was a lot of fun to experience with Mike, cause he never really goes to these things. And the food really was good and refreshingly surprising. Basically all the higher level restaurants in The Netherlands serve more or less the same thing. So it was pretty cool to see that they do something completely different here.

October 21, 08:15

Mike and I have been talking about me coming to The States to live there for a while. And that honestly excites me so much. I’m not usually the one to follow but this time is different. Mike needs some time to work, safe money and spend time with his family. But we also don’t want to stop seeing each other. So we decided that I am coming to the US as well! Since I am also getting a little tired of the traveling around, I would love to explore a new place from the comfort of a home base. Plus my dream of converting a van is within reach! In an ideal world I would find a small bus or big van that is already halfway converted. Stuff like insulation, flooring and sealing already done, and maybe something inside too. So I can do the rest myself, completely how I envision it. And while working on the van, I would find some remote work, cause I need money of course. Then when the van is done, I would rent it out whenever I am not using it. AND my mom and I could use my van when we’re gonna do our road trip in September and October of 2024. What a plan! And the plan is what I am going to hold onto cause Mike and I have to say goodbye to each other soon. I am flying to Buenos Aires in two days and he is traveling south on the bike. And then we won’t see each other for probably three months… after spending almost five months together.

October 22, 21:46

The idea was: picnic in the park and go to a museum. But as soon as we stepped foot outside the door we knew the picnic wasn’t going to happen. It was around 35 degrees. WAY too hot.  And when we arrived at the museum, we found out it was closed. Today were the general elections for the new president, vice-president, national congress and governors. And we were stupid and forgot.

Soooo, we went to a coffeeshop instead and played some cards. Great alternative for a Sunday. :)

October 23, 09:54

Mike is sick, so I am on the way to a pharmacy to get something for his stomach. It’s our last full day together so it’s really shitty he is not feeling well. Shitty. Haha. Okay not funny.

I know I shouldn’t say this, cause for him it’s absolutely no fun, but I am kinda glad we get to stay in bed. Now we don’t have the urge to go do something with this last day. Now we can just be together.