Cipolletti

The Asado being prepared - that's a dream start

We finally arrived in Cipolletti after 4½ months of travel. This quaint little town in the north of Patagonia is not in the tourist guide books. But we came here to visit our friend Cecilia, with whom we became close friends in Brussels in 2004/2005. We have been planning this trip to South America for a long time and to cut a long story short Cecilia has had her part to play in us coming here on this continent in more ways than one...

Cecilia, Juane and newly born Pedrito (Pedro) welcomed us at the bus station. We were given a couple of hours to settle in before the party started! That very evening we had our first dinner with Cecilia’s brothers and her father at the end of year party of the family business. Asado was on the menu, no surprise there. We ate and drunk and caught up a little bit before going to bed after a long day of travelling and partying.

From L to R : Jessica, Cecilia holding Pedrito, Kevin and Roxana

Juane poking the hot ashes - meat, chicken and sausage BBQ 

The following days were spent doing mostly the same thing: more partying, more food and drinks and more amusement. We went to a nice dinner at one of Juane's football buddies, Christian and his wife Veronica.  Juanes’ brothers Marcelo and Pablo are great fun too and we enjoyed a few good ribs at home when the man of the house, Juane, expertly prepared grilled beef, chicken, chorizo and morcilla (boudin noir/blood sausage) for us. Again beer and wine were readily available and enjoyed cold.

Pedrito and his dad - what a cutie, cachetón ! 

During the day nothing much could be done as the heat was simply overwhelming, going above 40°C on two occasions. Businesses shut between 1 and 5pm and life in the streets grinds to a halt. We lived at the rhythm of Pedrito who was asleep most of the time and being fed when awake. He is such a cute baby, he does not cry much (yet) and he is BIG for his age! Anyway we kept inside during the hottest hours of the day and only went out after 7pm. 

A ham and cheese selection (Fiambre y queso)

For Christmas Eve we went to Ceci’s eldest brother, Gonzalo, where the whole extended family joined forces by each bringing a something to eat. We spent that evening in excellent company. We had a great time getting to know and enjoying the conversation with newly met friends. 

Gonzalo, Ceci's dad and Clarita

Javier the skipper of the 130hp Fishing 551

Another highlight was a day out with Cecilia’s youngest brother, Javier, in the family boat. There is a big dam about an hour away from Cipolletti which obviously created a huge artificial lake. And there is an exclusive nautical club complete with the latest in barbequing technology (BBQ or Asado of beef, pork sausage and goat is the national pride of Argentina). The family boat is kept there and it's a great way to spend a hot day. 

We were six in all and took the boat out to a small beach at the other side of the lake and guess what we did for lunch … yes BBQ. Then we had a well deserved nap. After that it was time for some fun. 

Roxana having a lot of fun seconds before falling!

We put the inflated “bun” in the water which was towed by the powerful engine of the speedboat. I managed to stay on it longer that I thought I would but Javier soon manoeuvered the boat in a way that I was thrusted off the bun and into the cold water. Roxana managed to stay on it too but when it came time to fall, she fell face first in the water. At 40km/h that must have hurt.

Cecilia the proud mother and Pedrito

BBQ goat - juicy and a extremely tasty

The following day we were convened to another feast at a hotel Ceci’s father owns about a hundred kilometres away from Cipolletti in a town where petrol and gas are extracted. We arrived there and again family and friends had gathered to spend a good time and that evening there was BBQ’d "Chivo" (goat) on the menu. It was excellent! We spent the night there and in the morning returned rather early to Cipolletti as Juane needed to go to work.

Juane's dad on the right in his orchard

Ceci's mum and Pedrito

That afternoon we went to a leisure centre with sport facilities and a river section in which it is safe to swim. The cool water was very welcome with this kind of heat. We enjoyed the company of Ceci's mum and her partner Alex. Javier and his girlfriend Sandra later joined us. We had a really relaxing time enjoying maté and  "pan dulce" (Panetone).

Javier and Sandra

Juane playing full back on the day

Afterwards I accompanied Juane to the football game he had against a team out of town. His father and both his brothers were on the match list. Juane and Pablo started. The pitch was amazing and would make any British gardener proud. Then at the start of second half Marcelo and Juane’s dad went in.

Before you know it, Marcelo had pulled a hamstring and I was rushed in. I had to find a pair of shorts, socks and shoes that would fit me. I was unsuccessful in the last quest and went in with shoes two sizes too big for me. I played as left defender and during my short (4 minutes) display I managed a few good passes but cost the team a penalty kick! Fortunately the overconfident opposition striker missed it …

Cipolletti was just what we needed, a break with a family feel to it while not doing too much. We went back home and prepared our bags for the the following leg of the trip : New Year's celebrations in the lake district. 

For more pictures of Cipolletti