Trying to explain in Spanish that your final destination in Patagonia was "La tienda de Patagonia" proved extremely difficult at 3:00 am in the morning as we attempted to pass through the border. All of this after about a day of travel from Colombia, which included a slightly unnerving drive back to Valledupar. Guerilla forces brought road travel to a halt. F.A.R.K. stated that public transportation would be stopped if attempts were made to travel during their protest. Rumors of buses being set on fire and a few shootings were in the back of our minds as we timidly boarded our vehicle. I felt surprisingly safe though. Perhaps it was that I felt protected by the Ahrauco and Miguel or perhaps it was because I felt that I could have passed as Arhauco myself with my long curly hair and dark eyes or perhaps it was because I had become Arhuaco!!!
The Security officer, I’ll be kind and say was not helpful. He just kept staring at me with an annoyed, impatient look and kept asking the same question over and over and over. Finally google maps rescued me as Kelsey came over and showed the address of the store. Yes, we were staying in the back of the Patagonia clothing store in Patagonia. As we finally arrived in Coyhaique tension released and we were met with such kind and welcoming people. Some beer, pizza, snow capped mountains and an extra day in our new town made for the perfect renewal of our spirits. The next day was a four-hour local bus ride down a dirt road where the only view was incredible snow peaks and crystal blue lake water untouched by any form of tourism or comers. “Is this heaven?” No its Patagoinia the voice said! We were dropped off on what seemed to be a random stretch of road. It met with a long hidden driveway we had hoped led us to the Four Seasons Farm. What we found was actually some contemporary version of the garden of Eden. Where Adam and Eve were replaced by Argentine hippies. I was home, I had finally found my people.