We spend 2 nights in Esquel (you've probably heard of Esquel following the eruption of the Chalten volcano on the Chilean side). We'll spend our last day horse-riding (cabalgata) with Hector, a special character. He's a true gaucho: the hat, the coat, teh boots, the manners, the machism and even the mate container made with the skin of the testicule of a poor bull. After a few hours riding we reach an improvised campsite (we are allegedly sitting on a hill full of gold but I'll keep the place secret… except under torture) where Hector begins the barbecue (asado). In the meantime the dogs are enjoying a wild rabbit they hunted under our eyes. A lot of wine is served during the meal and our gaucho is beginning to speak his mind: in vino veritas…*

*without knowing the exact age of the public of this website, I'd rather keep for myself the topics we talked about; a full detailed list is available upon request including Hector's contact details.

We take the road to Bariloche in the evening. I take Kiki to the airport the following day and start my quest of the engineer who modified the renault 9 at the hydrogen plant: Jorge Lezcano. I will meet with him the following Monday.

In the meantime, I meet 2 funny 30ish year old Frenchmen: Hakim and Vincent. I'll take the time to describe them to you because it will be important to understand the rest of the trip…
Roughyl, Hakim is a French of Kabyle origin (Algeria) who lives in the USA. During his stay in Bariloche, he gives tango classes to the locals… What can I say more? As to Vincent, under his appearance of a retired soldier beats the heart of a letuce free of any slug. He decided to start a round-the-world trip a few months ago when he realized he was going to hit the 30s at the speed of the tank Leclerc.

I would like to thank them both and especially Vnent for upgrading my computer from Vista to XP; I can now work without falling asleep every time I start a program…

Hakim, vincent and myself have formed a real bunch of kids during those few days: climbing walls, build a raft, watching the stars, pulling each other's leg… There was always one (mainly Vincent) to say something that wasn't funy but made everybody laugh… Sorry mate! It is so good to live again those moments that we enjoyed when we were teenagers. It's like "Petit Nicolas" but in its adult version… We will make the most of it to visit the region: colonia suiza, cero catedral, lago gutierrez, cascadas…

And then comes the moment we have to say goodbye to each other; the H2 Project must carry on. Mema organises a meeting in Vila La Angostura. I leave them but we'll keep in touch.

Another good tip for Mema… She secures a house on the shore of the lake Nahuel Huapi in the heart of the village of Vila La Angostura. We'll make the most of it to visit San Martin de Los Andes, the 7 lakes road and many breathtaking landscapes: the colours of autumn are reflected in each lake and laggons. It's a beautiful reminder that the H2 Project must carry on: we have to protect what's left.

A week later Mema goes back to Buenos Aires and I return to Bariloche. I meet up again with Jorge who tells me he will ot be able to help me to modify the car but offers e however to take a course on hydrogen at the University of Caleta Olivia in partnership with the hydrogen productio plant. I'm really interested but the course only begins in October: I will finish the trip all the way up to California whilst gathering more info about it.

I must now go to the North: I will go and see again my friends in Mendoza.