Last night we rung in the new year at our hostel, La Casona de Odile, which threw an incredible dinner and dance party. The festivities began at 8:30 p.m. with canapes, appetizers and berry punch in their backyard and continued indoors with a lavish three-course dinner.
We’ve been at hostels for group dinners, like the one we went to in El Calafate for Christmas Eve, but this dinner felt different. You could tell how much love was put into creating the meal, which all the staffers helped to make. This hostel is such a community, and they made us all feel like we were sitting to dinner in our own homes. Everyone had such a huge smiles serving us, and I’ll admit, after cooking our own food the last few weeks, it was really nice to just enjoy the food (and not wash dishes).
They offered a full, delicious menu — both veg and non-veg:
- Spinach and cheese empanada and quiche // Beef empanada and quiche
- Wild mushroom and spinach lasagna // Lamb stew
- Flan cake with dulce de leche, cream and raspberries
It was maybe one of the best meals of my life.
Last year, I remember thinking that 2011 would be a year full of change and adventure with this trip in September, but I couldn’t tell anyone much about it because it was fairly under wraps. It’s hard to believe a whole year had passed since then and now we were celebrating 2012 under the stars in Patagonia.
I feel so lucky to be on this journey, and with my best friend along for the ride. Cheers to 2012 and many more adventures to come.
Click ahead for more pictures from last night.
Special guests:
Orange-colored clouds:
Cooking the lamb:
Moved over to the next-door house, where a couple of the staffers live, at midnight for a champagne toast and dancing to records (real records!):
The adorable couple — Julian, co-owner of the hostel and his girlfriend, Eden, a San Diego native who was a backpacker a few years ago and now lives in El Bolson:
Julian and Eden’s son got in on the action:
Cheers!
Wow, amazing photos guys! Looks like an incredibly unforgettable New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year to you and safe travels!
Thanks so much, Tom! Happy new year to you, too and thanks for reading!
Hi Archana and Eaman,
Happy New Year!!! Love your blog. I visit here every so often but did not leave you guys a message. Looks like an amazing lifetime travel and you both are loving it. Good luck for the new year, be safe and most importantly (not sure if its a real word) have fun!
Love
Jyothi
Thank you! We are indeed having such a great time. So glad you’re following along. Happy new year!
Ah – happy new year you guys! Looks amazing. Hope your week in farming goes super well. Given Eaman’s OK roots, I give him the upper leg if I were a betting man
Happy new year to you, toooooo! And I think your bets may be with the right farmer…
Happy New Year Arch/Eaman! What an unforgettable way to spend the new year. I loved that a backpacker ended up living there!
Happy New Year, Fareezapop! Can’t wait to see you in Asia this year