Day 673 – South America – Argentina [Rest Day in Laboulaye]

23/02/22

 Rest day in Laboulaye (Argentina, South America)

Another very friendly Argentinian town and a much appreciated rest

Laboulaye’s central park

Laboulaye (pronounce “La-bou-latch”) is another one in a string of very friendly towns on the way to Buenos Aires along Ruta 7. These towns always seem to feature a rather large, very green and well maintained plaza – in the case of Laboulaye, the La Paz Plaza – surrounded by beautiful buildings (church or cathedral, national bank, courthouse or townhall). No matter how small the town is.

With Roberta the hairdresser

I finally made my way to a hairdresser today. And I wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t for the fact that Roberta, the salon owner, spoke near perfect french. What a surprise. We chatted along as she worked on my unruly locks and I told her about the world run. Roberta happens to cycle 5 times a week with her friend Michel (a Frenchman living in Laboulaye) a 40km loop on local trails. So we got to speak to Michel, who owns a bike store, and gave us a great discount on bike parts that James needed. Then Roberta wouldn’t take my money and offered my new hairdo for free.

National Bank at night, Laboulaye

Since starting our crossing of Argentina, we have always been positively surprised by the local people’s willingness to help us. Whether it was in Villa Mercedes, helping us find accomodation, or anywhere we ended up, looking for places to eat or stay. There was always a local or more willing to chip in and help us around. They obviously don’t get many (or any?) foreign tourists here, especially since the pandemic. It largely makes up for the repetitive nature of the road I am running on!