I met this guy hitch-hiking back from the hippy techno festival.  We couldn’t find a ride, so we took the bus.  On the bus he poured me some matte (which is this gross drink that everyone here consumes all day long), then he shared his matte with everyone on the back of the bus.

One of the funniest things about Argentineans is they aren’t the least bit afraid of germs.  Or herpies. They share their water and matte with perfect strangers all the time.  Even though I hate matte, I never turn it down because I’m so touched by the fact that they’re sharing something with me.

When we got off the bus, this guy gave me his whole bag of matte (which is the size of a sack of flour) and the little bity matte holder pictured above.  I said I couldn’t take his matte!!!!… but he instisted. 

One of the many things I hope to learn down here is how to be as giving as these amazing people.

(Patagonia, Argentina)