Sunday, March 30, 2014

Mar 31: update

The weather now sucks in Bariloche.  Rain, cold and wind. It is time to head north to the warmer temperature.  I will be in Cordoba for three days, three days in Iguazu Falls and then Salta. In Salta I have some friends to stay with.  Plus it is cheaper to live in the north.  I may try to go into Bolivia later. I leave Monday.

Mar 30: Boca Juniors v River Plate!

This is the big rivalry in Argentina.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Mar 28: storm rolling in

Mar 28: fellow travelers

Mar 28: nice color and form contrast

Mar 28: this lake only warranted a pic of the sign

Mar 28: local bird out for a stroll

Mar 28: Pablo taking a mate break

Mar 28: pristine waters

Mar 28: shortest river

Mar 28: shortest river name

Mar 28: the other side of the world's shortest river

Mar 28: shortest river in the world connecting two lakes

Of course,  Argentina also claims thd widest river in th world: Rio Plata. Anywhere else in the world, the Rio Plata is a bay.

Mar 28: me and the lake

Mar 28: storm rolling in

Mar 28: my 3 car mates

Mar 28: my three car mates...Pablo, Sandra and Ingbat

Mar 28: Seven Lakes Expedition update

Friday four of us from the hostel shared the cost of a car rental to check out the famous seven lakes between Bariloche and San Martin. We left at 11am and drove 600km, returning at 2am. There was an Argentine couple and a young Israeli woman. Pablo drove the whole way, at about half the speed limit. I offered to drive but my name wasn't on the rental contract.  It was painful for me as I am a much faster driver and efficient with time. Pablo almost killed us all at about 1am when I noticed the car drifting off into the incoming lane. Luckily I was watching him like a hawk from behind and shook him. He insisted to continue driving. I told him one more mistake and I was taking over despite what the rental contract said. We made it back in one piece thankfully.

The seven lake trip was like a treasure hunt for the Argentine couple. We had to go to each official lookout for each lake. Even when it started to rain and storm, we painstakingly found each lake. So here we   are finally in San Martin, ate dinner, and a storm was blowing outside. It is 10pm and darker than mollasses. The Argentinan couple insisted to go to the official 'view' of the last lake after dinner, another 30min.  I pointed out that even though we might go there, we would not see a thing through the driving rain and darkness.  Never the less, they wanted to go to say they did it. After driving 30min on this mountain road and Pablo confirming we could not see anything,  we proceeded to finally head back. It was painful as Pablo drove half the speed limit and car after car passed us. It was painful because I was tired and wanted to sleep. But we made it back.

Despite Pablos driving style. He is a wonderful person and we had a great time.  I got to work on my Spanish as neither spoke English.  To share everyday life with the local Argentine is why I am here. We learned about our lives, saw pictures of their kids and shared hearty laughs like talking about whether it was okay to throw toilet paper in the toilet in Argentina. All in all, a great time!

Mar 28: Seven Lakes Expedition

Friday, March 28, 2014

Mar 27: California Poppy

Mar 27: Spanish Moss up close

Mar 27: Spanish Moss

Mar 27: Nahuel Huapi Lake

Mar 27: Nahuel Huapi Lake

Mar 27: reminds me of Lake Tahoe

This is the main lake of Bariloche

Mar 27: view from Llao Llao

The lake system is so extensive here that there are ferries goung to Chile from here

Mar 27: Wild Rose hips

Mar 27: Llao llao sign

Mar 27: big trees!

Mar 27: start of walk to Llao Llao (chow chow in Argentine)

Mar 26: view of lake coming back down the valley

Mar 26: Awesome view (right)

Mar 26: Awesome view (left)

Mar 26: Awesome view!

Mar 26: when I entered, some guy was making dough for bread

A daily activity here in Bariloche

Mar 26: Frey Refuge

Mar 26: little spires

Mar 26: Big spire!

Mar 26: Frey Refuge

Comes complete with beds, full menu (wine, pizza)

Mar 26: up close with spire

Mar 26: looking back down the valley from which I came

Mar 26: cathedral sides

Mar 26: cathedral