German
Argentina: Capybaras, Ostrich & Fun
October 2024
Capybaras
are friendly and relaxed giant guinea pigs. They can weigh up to 50 kg and have a body length of approx. 1.4 meters. One of the remarkable things about Capybaras is their social behavior. They live in large groups of up to 20 individuals with a dominant male and several females and their pups.
The capybaras are excellently adapted to the wet element:
webbed feet between their toes make paddling easier. Eyes, ears and nostrils are located at the top of the massive head so that the animals can see, hear and smell even while swimming in the water. However, the capybaras could not survive the summer heat without water nearby. They spend the day in cool mud holes or shallow water and the night in cover. They generally stay in fixed places where they graze like ungulates, wallow in the mud or rest on sandbanks. Capybaras usually sit on their folded hind legs like dogs.
Mbuni Ostrich Farm and Hotel
A very well-maintained hotel complex including a swimming area with an ostrich farm in the vicinity of Asuncion.
Brigitte had read about this farm in App iOverlander and so we stopped by at Lothar and Anne's place for a few days. There is also an original restaurant with a showroom displaying their own products.
Lothar advised us not to get too close to the ostriches when we went for a walk. We took the warning seriously!
Withdrawal of money in Argentina
With Western Union we can transfer money directly from our Swiss bank account within fifteen minutes.
In Argentina, with the Blue Dollar you get a good exchange rate. Once again, we stood at a WU-counter in a shopping center and presented our transfer number to withdraw a significant amount. We had the backpack with us carrying the large stack of paper money.
We were amazed when the counter clerk generously rounded up the amount they paid out. Of course, in pesos, which in SFR didn't matter much. Nevertheless, this would certainly not happen in Switzerland.
Staying overnight in Plaza’s in Argentina
The plaza is always located in the center of a town and is usually very well maintained by the community. In good weather, both during the day and at night, it is a meeting place for the population.
Unlike our previous habits, we also stayed in one of these well-lit squares overnight. It goes without saying that we only did this in small villages. Very often there is also a police station on one corner. The fitness equipment that is usually available has also given me sore muscles on several occasions. It's rarely easier to get in touch with the locals than in the plaza.
Camping with new friends
We coincidentally camped together with the Swiss Raphael and Corina at the campsite near Posadas on the Costanera del Sur.
We had a fun, entertaining time. A lot of barbecued meat and plenty of wine were part of it. We enjoyed the leisure hours with the younger couple, and the conversations in Swiss German.
