Goodbye Tears

My last morning at the ranch and I’m out the door before dawn for a walk with my camera.  I head in a different direction than on the previous days and find a pasture with grazing horses and injured cattle.  They all stop eating to stare at me as I approach but once I set up my tripod, go back to their breakfast.  I 

await sunrise and position myself near a copse of trees.  The sky turns a dark purple before the sun’s rays peak out.  

As I’m standing there, I feel a wave of emotion come over me and tears start trickling down my cheeks.  I can’t decipher what my feelings are and don’t understand the intensity of the emotion.  Am I overwhelmed with gratitude of experiencing this moment or am I sad that I’ll be leaving this beautiful place in the afternoon?  For the first time in awhile, I feel that I am truly happy and belong somewhere.  I let the feelings wash over me and am glad to experience it alone.  

As I’m walking back to the ranch, two small black and white birds begin to dive bomb me while chirping loudly.  I realize they must have a nest nearby and they’re trying to distract me to move on.  One of them comes within inches of my head and I quicken my pace.  I come to a safe spot and see that two emus have approached to within twenty feet of me while I was distracted.  I’m shocked they’re that close to me as when I’ve seen them previously, they’ve instantly taken off running.  I snap a couple of photos before tiptoeing away so as not to disturb them.

Back at the house, I find Juan in the kitchen and we chat quietly so as not to wake the others.  I’ve come to cherish this time even though we’ve known each other for such a brief period.  Juan has traveled all over the world and is so insightful that it’s a pleasure to converse with him.  I’ve worked up an appetite with my morning walk and cook up some bacon and eggs while Juan reads the paper.

This morning it will be just myself and Audrey riding as Pritesh opted to sleep in and Melany has some tour leader chores to take care of.  Juan takes us to the north pasture where we haven’t explored yet and we climb to a panoramic view of the ranch to the east.  Otono has a spring in his step and does a comfortable slow trot for most of the ride.  It’s like being in a rocking chair and I use my lower legs and feet as the shock absorbers.  The high wind pushes us from behind and whips my hair around my head.  The eucalyptus trees sway and their rustling leaves sound like a running creek.

When we return to the ranch there’s time for a quick shower, lunch and getting my bag packed.  Juan drives us two hours to Salto where we say our goodbyes before crossing the border back into Argentina on foot.  I give him a big hug and invite him to visit me in Canada in the near future.  I promise to take him on some big hikes so he can experience nature in BC.

We get through customs quickly and are shuttled to Concordia in three taxis where we’ll be catching our twelve hour overnight bus to Iguazu Falls.  While we’re waiting for the bus, Melany and I go in search of the Pampero store that sells Gaucho pants.  I had been hoping to purchase a pair in Salto but didn’t have enough Uruguay currency.  Juan suggested I buy them in Concordia instead as they would be cheaper.  We locate the store after Melany stops several locals to ask directions.  They have one pair in my size and I quickly purchase them so we can return to the bus terminal.

Our deluxe bus arrives and Pritesh and I are seat mates again.  The reclining seats are massive and we can stretch out.  I’m hoping I’m able to snatch a few hours of sleep as we’ll be going directly to view Iguazu Falls for the day with no opportunity to shower or nap.  Pritesh and I get ourselves comfy, break out the snacks and watch movies on our phones while the landscape slips by in the dark.