A bigger package than we expected.

Swinde. :)

Mum and Dad visited the town of Canete recently to do a little banking and shopping. They travelled there via a local bus, which they found very impressive. Besides being real public transport, (perhaps we were lucky the time we thumbed a bus down?) there was a conductor who helped people on and off and took fares. Also, though it was stuffed to the brim, people gave up seats for young mothers and old people.

As I was saying though, after their delightful little trip on the bus, they spent a delightful little window of time doing some banking. An even more delightful time was then spent in a Bigger shop, before an adventure came their way. Perhaps living in a foreign country gives you a greater awareness of anything else that seems foreign - you are drawn to notice differences like bugs are to the flame. Mum was the first to notice a Canadian headscarf in the checkout line. The hot and tired face underneath was duly noticed too, causing Mum to think 'You're not from around here!' A few moments later when she saw the girl standing beside a loaded bike outside, she and Dad decided to practice some hospitality. 'Do you speak English?' - one of the first questions you ask in this country. Then, 'Do you have anywhere to spend the night?' they asked the German girl, who was travelling alone. The answer came home negatively, so Mum and Dad invited her to our place. 'We have five daughters and you're very welcome. Here are our directions...'

And that, my friends, is how we made a new friend by the name of Swinde! 

Before she left we perched our cameras on the the fence and took a group shot.

In the long run Swinde stayed with us two nights, and one and a bit days. We learnt all about her two year biking trip from the tip of the Southern continent to the tip of North America. She spoke really good English, but knows slightly more Spanish than we do. She's only been riding for nine weeks but had some interesting tales to tell us already. We heard about dusty rides on outback roads, breathtaking views, losing her way, travelling to and from a small island, community TV, wind she couldn't walk against, hikes, dried up inland lakes, and many other things. Then we shared a little of what we were doing and showed her the work-site the next day. We walked to work again that evening, expecting to help with the concrete pour, but there were so many men that we weren't needed and ended up watching instead. It's so lovely being able to meet and rub shoulders with different people! We felt like good friends when we said goodbye on the second day. She said that she'd look us up if she ever came to Australia, which we're holding her too. Remember that Swinde, if you're reading this! :D