Tuesday, April 19, 2016

P is for Patagonia


I’m in the middle of the A-Z challenge, listing bucket lists of places that I’ve not been, but would I’d like to visit in my life.  I doubt I will be able to make every one of these trips, but one can hope.

There are a number of places I’d like to visit that beings with a P.  I have already been to Pennsylvania, having spent several years living there while in school.  But I’ve yet to go to Peru, which I would love.  Nor have I been to Prague, which is a city on my short lists of cities to visit and to pay homage to Jan Hus. And then there is Poland.  But highest on my list is Patagonia, that vast wide-open land in Argentina, at the bottom of South America.  The high desert, the beauty of the big-sky, the mountains and lakes and rocky moist coastline creates an incredible place.  

The second Paul Threoux book I read was Old Patagonia Express.  It was a trip that he did, mostly by rail, catching the train in Boston and (as much as possible) riding rails all the way to bottom of the America’s.  That old steam train to Esquel appears to still run but doesn’t connect to the main line that does still run some 800 kms from Viedma to Bariloche (Atlantic Ocean to the Andes).  In addition to taking the train, I’d want to make a trip to Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) at the end of continent.  All photos "lifted" from the internet.  


Back in 2007, I reviewed an Argentinian movie, “Intimate Stories” that had nothing to do with the bedroom or a sleazy motels (the name was a bad translation from the Spanish).  The movie was filmed along the empty highways and in the small towns of Patagonia, places that seem to call my name.  I’d love to go experience it.



19 comments:

  1. Hey, I'm a born and bred Pennsylvania girl. Bet you didn't know that about me since I now live in NC? I'm enjoying your posts and learning about the world during this A-Z challenge.

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    1. But what part of PA? I was in Pittsburgh, so a big Pirate and Steeler fan. I was proud to experience a few years ago that the closest bar to my parents is also a "Steeler hangout" (on Masonboro Loop Road down near Whiskey Creek)

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    2. I'm from York, PA about 45 minutes north of Baltimore, MD. Most of my PA friends are Steelers fans, but have a few Ravens fans too. (Big rivalry I hear). I'm a Carolina Panthers fan myself. I live within walking distance of Whiskey Creek right now. Right off Masonboro Loop Road.

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    3. Wow, you are close to where I grew up--I was nine when we moved to Wilmington (in Tanglewood). I grew up canoeing in Whiskey Creek and over into the creeks of Masonboro Island

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  2. Yes, this looks a little better than the PA turnpike!

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  3. Llamas? Yes, please. We have some stuffed toys made from llama wool--softest things ever.

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  4. Llamas? Yes, please. We have some stuffed toys made from llama wool--softest things ever.

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  5. If you get together a trip to hit your bucket list all in one shot, count me in if I can find a way. Your bucket list and mine seem a lot alike!

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  6. I can definitely imagine you visiting Patagonia. It's a trip I think you'd enjoy.

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  7. Oh, yes! Bring on the places starting with P. I'd love to go to all of them. I've made it to PA!

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  8. I've always been fascinated by Patagonia, the fact that many people there speak Welsh for a start!

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  9. I was born in the north central part of Pennsylvania and I have a brother and sister still living in Pittsburgh. I'm a Steelers fan, too. I miss Brett!!! Good choices for P.

    @Kathleen01930
    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge

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  10. Give me a call when you're ready to start crossing a few of these destinations off your bucket list.

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  11. So many places to visit, so little time! I have been to Pennsylvania, not hard to do since I live in Northeast Ohio, but I haven't been to any of the other "P" places you mentioned. I'm sure Patagonia is a fascinating place.

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  12. That summons up images of people in brightly dressed clothes.

    I've been to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And I'd love to visit Prague - my dear friend Tereza is from Prague and misses it so much.

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  13. Great 'P' post. I have been to Prague, Peru & Poland but like you Patagonia is very high on my wish list. I too read the book and was totally enthralled (the Mexican part especially!). Prague is actually my favourite European city, just pipping another P - Paris.

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  14. That sounds like an interesting place to visit.

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  15. Im sure you know we have part of the Patagonia too !
    My mom born in Punta Arenas (Tierra del Fuego) and still I have there some family.
    Is lovely when my mom talk us about Punta Arenas, her dad coming from England and mom from Spain and they married in Argentina.
    My mom live in Punta Arenas until 12 .
    Im sure you would enjoy there.

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  16. I've always wanted to visit Patagonia, only because of the Welsh connection! Love Welsh :-)

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