Mountain adventures

Trip Start Jan 24, 2005
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Trip End Apr 2007


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Flag of Argentina  ,
Wednesday, February 8, 2006

So Argentina is huge. We traveled on an 18 hour over night bus and a 24 hour overnight bus, and still far away from the southern tip. Argentina is also very flat. Reminiscent of Kansas. There were a few rolling hills leading into the mountains and then towering peaks and deep blue lakes. Lots of lakes and rivers. Bariloche is right on the lake and the wind is strong and cold. We went white water rafting. Mostly floating but a few 2-3 level rapids. My companions had never gone before, so we did the easy trip. Beautiful just to float and look at the scenery. Very similar to Colorado, but enough unique vegetation to make it interesting. Simon kept jumping off the raft to swim. A kid named Joaquin got to take a turn as guide and nearly rammed us into the bank, but saved it in time. I had a great time speaking French with the guy behind me, on vacation with his Argentinian girlfriend. They both live in Paris, so I talked to her about how difficult it is to get a job in France as a foreigner a. Botanic Gardens in Buenos Aires
a. Botanic Gardens in Buenos Aires
 . She's still hopeful.

Next day we went hiking. We didn't actually get onto the trail until 1 pm. Lots of dawdling buying picnic lunch and waiting for bus that never came. Nice trail until we got to what looked like an old forest fire (or maybe a plague, Simon and Erica couldn't agree). Then lots of brush and tree skeletons, but no shade. Hiked back down the same way we came.

We've been eating well. My favorite meal by far has been at a French restaurant run by a New Yorker and his Argentinian wife. They had lived in the French Alpes for 5 years. The food was not fancy shmancy, just yummy crepes etc. I enjoyed talking to them too.

Last night we rode the overnight bus again to Mendoza. We're waiting for people to move out of our hotel room. The trip was crummy--uncomfortable seats and yucky food. I can't wait to take a nap.

Check out the pictures--none of rafting because we didn't want the camera to go overboard. We want to go horse back riding and wine tasting here before we head back. Hopefully more cute pics.

Miss you all.
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