A Weekend Away

To give some background, this weekend just gone myself, Noly, his parents, Luci & Cristian were going to an award ceremony as Javier’s TV channel had been nominated to receive an award. There was a nomination ceremony in the morning which we could all go to and then in the evening the award ceremony itself. Two years ago we all went in to the evening award ceremony as well as the morning, though this year there wasn’t enough space for all of us at the evening do so this year we were just going to the morning bit and only Javier & Monica could go to the evening part.

So this weekend just gone has been a gud’un! On Friday Noly and I boarded the bus and six hours later, we arrived in El Termas de Rio Hondo. Javier & Monica came to pick us up (they had driven down earlier in the car with Luci and Cristian) and off we went to the hotel. We got there without issue apart from a near miss with a very elderly man who nearly reversed straight into Javier’s car. The hotel was a really nice hotel called ‘El Ameriano’ and was where we stayed two years ago when we came last time. By the time we arrived and settled in it was pretty much dinner time so off we went to dinner. After telling Noly that I was only kind of hungry (and meaning it too) I loaded my plate up at the buffet and easily had more than everyone else at the table. What can I say, a girl’s gotta eat right?

(From left to right) Monica, Javier, Nolz, Nadz, Luci & Cristian

The next day started with the morning award ceremony. We all got dressed up and off we go to, bizarrely, a motor museum! I’m not sure quite why this year it was in a motor museum but whyever not? There was a lot of milling around, giving us a chance to look at all the cars and motorbikes etc as well as trying the virtual reality racing thing. Safe to say, I’m not going to be a F1 driver any time soon. Wasn’t a big fan. Then the certificates were given out, pictures were taken etc and after some more milling around, back we went to the hotel.

The rest of the day was really chilled. Javier & Cristian went off to play some golf, leaving myself, Noly, Luci & Moni at the hotel to chill out. We had lunch together and then decided to go to the pool. The pool was so lush as it was filled with thermal waters so despite it not being a super hot day (it’s winter here after all), the pool was really lovely. Sadly, or not depending on how you look at it, we missed the pool zumba..! However, we did get to go to the hotel spa. I’ve never been to a spa before so I don’t know if this is typical to a spa but there were a whole load of different zones where we went through. We started, weirdly, by having to march in a circle over a whole load of rocks multiple times. Maybe the employees of the hotel were just having a giggle, or maybe this is legit a spa thing and I’m just a noob, who knows? Then we rotated through the pool into different areas which was fun! And ended by having to plunge yourself into cold water. Whilst Noly & Luci were fairly graceful in their descent into the cold water, I regret to say I was not and somewhat plummeted into the water to get it over with, much to the amusement of the other spa goers who chuckled haha. We then went into the sauna which, whilst it was really nice, wasn’t great for me as I had a slight sore throat prior to going in and afterwards it felt a whole lot worse.

After so much relaxation we had, of course, built up quite an appetite and so decided to have merienda. Mm. Toasted sandwiches and smoothie for me!

For the rest of the evening I chilled out with Nolz for a while before essentially double dating with Cristian & Luci for dinner and then going out on the town for drinkies.

The next day, Sunday, we checked out of the hotel and off we went to another hotel! We had to leave Hotel Ameriano because there wasn’t enough space for us that night. En route to the other hotel we stopped off for luncheon and then wondered around a market for a while, as well as stopping off on a very windy road to have a looksee at the view. When we got to the hotel I decided to have a lil sleep as by this point I was feeling super poorly as my sore throat had turned into a cold (typical. I feel like I often get unwell when I’m on holiday). After my cheeky lil ciesta we went for an explore of the hotel. Whilst very beautiful there wasn’t really all that much to do at this hotel. We then had merienda and then played another round of marioparty with Cristian and Luci, which team Nadz’n’Nolz managed to win again, hurrah!

Monday we checked out and back onto the bus we went. There was a slight problem when we boarded the bus, went upstairs to our assigned seats (31 & 32) and found that they didn’t exactly exist. The numbering system went 29-30 & then 33-34. Slightly problematic. But we sat ourselves down in some other seats and thankfully, no one came along to kick us out haha. Felt rather grogged out but we got there eventually! I was dropped back at Marta’s and promptly burst into tears! Poor Marta. I’d been feeling a bit frustrated over the weekend at not being able to communicate fully in Spanish and also wasn’t feeling very well and Marta had just wanted to give me a few tips for a few things and was instead presented with a girl in floods of tears. Once we’d established that I didn’t need to go to the hospital, I made myself a lemsip (hurrah for lemsips!) and was instructed firmly to put layers on and get into bed. Well, who am I to refuse? So there I stayed for the evening. Noly came round and waited on me which quite honestly, was lovely. Considering being ill more often just so he has to sort me out, bring me food and clear everything away whilst I stay firmly where I am. Perhaps. Anyways, we watched two more episodes of Stranger Things (the first of which we’d watched on the first bus ride) and then off Noly went and I went to sleep.

So anyways! I’m now back in Salta and slowly getting better.

A few things I would appreciate prayers on:
– My health. It’s really not that bad in the grand scheme of illnesses and it is lifting a bit but I am still very coldy, with my throat feeling bad, being quite congested and a bit heady at points. I am very grateful that I am at the flat with Marta & I have the Matus family nearby, who are basically my local pharmacy! Javier seems to basically be a pharmacist and know exactly what pill I should take for any ailment and Marta has also been looking after me, ordering me and Noly pizza and making me some food etc so that’s something to praise God for.
– I’m still very much getting used to being in a different country and have been feeling quite discouraged with various things, speaking Spanish, fitting in etc so would appreciate prayers as I’m definitely still adjusting.