MUNGO EATS Latin America

We have been staying in the municipal campground, in a cabaña, while we try to sort out this mess of a situation.  Since we don’t really know how long we will be stuck here, we have been paying for the room day by day.  Yesterday we decided to commit to paying for the weekend, since it is unlikely anything will happen over the weekend.  When we tried to pay however, we were informed that the cabin we are staying in is already rented for the weekend and we would have to vacate it on Sat. am.   So we need a new home for the weekend.  Nothing like a new problem to take your mind off the current one!!

We tried to find another cabin, and we asked at the local hotels, but the cabins were rented and the hotels said no dogs.  We therefore were forced to have the van towed to the campground and we will be staying in there for the weekend.  It is not a bad solution.  In fact, just the day before I told Kevin that I would feel better if the van was near us, but it meant bugging the cute little old mechanic again to tow us.  Kevin and I both are very bad about letting anyone help us.  If there is a way to accomplish  a task on our own, we would  much rather do so (even if it is twice as difficult), than bother anyone.  But the campground is 10 blocks away and we did not think we could push it the whole way ourselves (nor would the scrawny kids be much help), so we asked little cute mechanic for help.  He really is the sweetest little  old man.  I don’t even know his name.  I think he liked having our van parked in his yard though, because it meant he could keep an eye on us and know that we were okay.  He now greets me with the customary kiss on the cheek, and always asks about the kids and the dog. 

He hooked his million year old tow truck to us and towed us down the road to the campground and then he made us promise to come and visit him at the garage and keep him posted on how we are doing. 

As far as how our escape from Perito Moreno is progressing, a few people are working on trying to get a transport out to us, and we are even exploring the option of putting in another engine, enough so we can limp our way to the coast.  We would prefer a used engine, but apparently there is really no market  for used engines because all paperwork in Argentina contains not only a VIN but an engine number as well and it is quite complicated to get the necessary paperwork figured out when dealing with a used engine.  So no fixed solutions yet, but we are trying.  Thankfully, the town is much nicer than Uyuni, the last town we were stranded in.  The weather has improved as well.  It is warmer and the wind is not ever present as it was the first few days.   So we will just keep plugging away, hopefully we  will get out of here one way or another.  By the way, thank you to everyone who is trying  to help us.  It is overwhelming  to be helped from so many miles away!!