Bariloche!

I just got back from my group trip to Bariloche. I really don't know if I've ever seen something so beautiful - I felt like I was in a postcard the whole time. Bariloche is a small city in Patagonia, in the lake region. My whole program flew there for the weekend as our group trip - 160 of us! Here's the rundown of what we did (this is a long one!)...

First, we flew there. I was so impressed with how smoothly it went. The flight was uneventful, the only downside was that this airline doesn't have any apple juice. For some reason, I really like to drink apple juice when I fly - it sounds silly, but I always ask for it on flights! Anyway, we got there without any problems and went right to the first activity, a ski lift to the top of a beautiful viewpoint. There I took the first of many, many, many photographs (100 in one weekend!). The link to all my pictures is here. It was absolutely GORGEOUS - lakes, mountains, and beautiful views everywhere. My program director was wearing a Penn sweatshirt, so a group of Penn students took a picture with him. I sent a copy to our study abroad office :-) From there we went to a really pretty beach with another great view. On the bus ride in between our guide gave us a really interesting history/overview of the area. He was very informative and very interesting, though I've never met someone who liked the sound of his own voice that much. He actually told us he became a guide so that he would have people to talk to all day long... That night we went to an Irish pub for dinner, which had "traditional" Bariloche food - we were very confused to find out that traditional food included Nachos.

The next day we got up early to go hiking. We had been told before the trip that one day was hiking, and I was expecting an easy day of walking on a trail, enjoying the scenic views. I brought jeans and sneakers to wear, as did most of my friends. WE CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN! I'm really not kidding. A mountain. Going up was hard - the first half was dry ground and steep, and we were all working pretty hard to get up it. The second half was snow - see my pictures for a progression of the amount of snow that we saw. At the top, there was over a meter and a half (5 ft) of snow! Finding your footing was really difficult, but we got up!

For those of you who have climbed mountains (has anyone who reads this climbed a mountain besides Maddy?), you will know that going up is only half the battle. Going down that mountain was one of the hardest things I've ever done - and I did a decent chunk of it on my tush. Nobody had any balance, and we all took turns falling down and "slip sliding away." Truly, I have never seen pants as dirty as mine were - they were covered in a mix of snow, mud, and grime. It was fun, but halfway through I was exhausted, cold, and a bit grouchy. By the end, my legs were so tired I could barely balance on dry land! Luckily, it was well worth it and I had a really incredible experience. Plus, I can brag that I've climbed a mountain!!!! After going back to the hotel and taking hot showers, we set out for dinner in the city.

The following day we did a bus and boat tour of the mountains. A word of advice: putting a group of 20 year olds on a bus at 9 AM the day after taking them mountain climbing is a dumb idea. It turned out to be a nap with really pretty scenery (and the guide who wouldn't stop talking). I tried to stay awake for as long as I could because the scenery was so incredible, but even I dozed for a while. After our siesta, we got to the highlight of the day, our boat tour! Being out on one of the lakes and seeing the mountains from a different perspective was absolutely breathtaking. We then went to a small island which has a forest of these really cool looking trees. I don't remember all the details, but they were very pretty. I think that they usually only grow to 4 ft or so, but in this forest they grow to over 30 ft. Very cool. We then took the boat back and went to a pretty beach/park to have a picnic lunch. More great views. The park was right near the Chilean border crossing, and on the busride over we actually turned around right near it.

That night we had a free night in town, and my friends and I decided to ask the guides (from mountain climbing) if they wanted to have dinner with us. It was lots of fun speaking in Spanish all night, hearing funny stories about treks, etc. They also took us to the best pasta place in the city - which was delicious and incredibly cheap (the best pasta I've had for less than US $8 a person, including a soda).

The next morning we went into the city of Bariloche to buy chocolate! Bariloche is known for its chocolate, and it's delicious. Two of my friends found a place that offers a discount of 20% if you get a group of 6 or more to buy chocolate, so we all went together. I bought a few to give to friends as gifts and one for myself. Yum! We then went to the airport, flew back, etc.

Uneventful until the end, when my taxi left me off at my apartment and left before I could grab my luggage from the back. Luckily, I had everything important in my carry on (which I was holding) - the only thing that he got was my dirty clothes. He was pretty sketchy from the beginning, driving me around in circles and acting like he couldn't find where I live (I live in a very well known part of the city) to run up the meter. It was really frustrating and upsetting, but not uncommon - almost all of my friends have been robbed here in some way, shape, or form. My program director was great, and actually came over to make sure I was okay afterwards and has helped me find a place to buy some stuff that I lost. A sour note to a end great weekend.

I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I have my first midterm here... I'm nervous, but I've been prepping for it for quite a while. Sending lots and lots of love to the US!

Becca

PS. Pictures are coming soon to the blog, I'm having minor technical problems. Until then, enjoy the photo album.

PSS. Part of the joy of blogging is hearing about all of your lives in exchange! If it's been a while since you've filled me in on what's going on in your world, please please please please please send me an email - I love hearing about what's going in back in the US!