Neuquen, an important commercial and agricultural centre, is a provincial capital on the confluence of two rivers. We chose to spend Easter Sunday here to break up a long journey as we made our way north. The city did not have any major draws but it was a good place to experience everyday Argentinian life, which on this Sunday included park walks, coffee in the plaza and Easter Mass in the evening. The service was rather intense, lasting nearly 90 minutes and contained some slightly painful guitar accompaniment to a long list of hymns. The people of Neuquen seemed content with proceedings, packing out the aisles, as Sam struggled to stay awake...

Onward night bus to Mendoza, 12 hours .