We drove back to Neuquén the long way, via the Andes. The route was spectacular, not least because of the Monkey Puzzle Trees growing everywhere, and snow-covered plains stretching out towards the distant mountains. It felt like we were at the edge of the world. Our route took us over a pass that wasn't quite ready for cars yet. But after a half hour the snow ploughs had dug us out...
Back in Neuquén, and we were faced with our second major challenge of the trip: The first had been to find an armadillo, but now the second challenge was to figure out what to do with the one presented to us in a bucket, alive and kicking, as it were. We resisted the numerous calls to fatten it up and eat it (apparently, the meat tastes fantastic, and we were
SO tempted..). But it really was extraordinary - everyone we mentioned the armadillo to would ask how fat it was, and offered a different way to cook it. Fortunately (for the armadillo) our sense of compassion prevailed, and we drove out into the desert and set it free.
It was called 'Palito' (little stick), and we do wonder what became of him... I fear he ended up a tasty snack...
Two days before flying back to the UK we went to Buenos Aires, and saw, amongst other things, the apartment block in which my father grew up - we had, in Neuquén, visited the house where Silvia was brought up, and both visits had strong emotional overtones. And after two days in Buenos Aires (where you really do see Tango on the streets!), the trip was over, and it was back to reality.
