Entre nous.

(9 et 11 février 2009)

Valizas.
Un village simple, tranquille.
Tout près, plages et dunes de sable.
On était inspiré. On était fou de joie.

El Rancho "Antrenu".

C'est sous ce toit qu'on a chaleureusement été accueilli
lors de notre passage à Valizas.

On y a passé des heures et des heures,
échangeant une partie de nos vies...

We hopped on a bus to Valizas, not knowing what to expect.
But yet again, we had a good gut feeling.

Once in Valizas, we wandered the desolate streets
with nothing but a vague address, "rancho #475".

Finally, we came upon a white ranch.
The door was open.

We caught a glimpse of Gustavo
in the shade of the cottage, with his family.

A little hesitant about our spontaneous visit,
we slowly walked up to the door.

Gustavo turned around before we even had a chance to knock.

He was surprised but elated to see we had kept our word.

It had already been a week since our meeting in Salta.

We had said we would try to make our way out to his ranch.

And we did.

Affectionately, he invited us in.

At once, he introduced us to his wife and kids
who looked intrigued as to why two strangers
had so casually walked into their cottage.

And so it is that we met Gustavo's wife Eliana,
two of their three children, Agustina and Emilio,
and the rest of the family.
A dog, a cat, and two parakeets.

Pepé was especially fond of Dominic.

Our friendship began with a puzzle,
as we were welcomed with curious and interesting questions
about our travels and our lives back home.

During another visit, they shared with us
a delicious homecooked meal, cajá for dessert,
and our first maté experience.

Cultural exchanges gave way
to a game of Spanish Trivial Pursuit,
and a serene walk on the beach at 2:00 am,
moved by the moonlight.

Hours and hours passed,
talks of nothing and everything,
the night passing between.

Tongues in Spanish, English, and French,
yet relating beyond words.

With the sun about to rise,
we parted ways with heavy eyelids,
and heavier hearts.

Our travels, forever changed.

La famille Cousin,
des gens remplis de bonté.