Hands down, my favorite part was spending time with Bob’s family. We had a great time stumbling somewhere between Spanish and English. We laughed a lot and we were fed amazing food. They took care of me like I was part of their family. I know my family back in Baltimore felt better knowing I was safe with them.

So the last pictures are from Maxi’s camera. Either he or Isabel were snapping pictures all the time and I think they captured everything perfectly.

It started in Villa La Angostura. We enjoyed another afternoon on the beautiful Nahuel Huapi and inside the lovely Bosque Arrayanes. When we got back to the hotel, I did a quick check on our flight departure. I was warned on a few travel blogs that domestic Aerolineas Argentinas flights do not have a dependable schedule. Sure enough our 9:50 flight was now and 8:30 flight and we were more than 70km away. We had to pack quickly and call a remise in order to make it to the terminal in time for the 4:00PM bus back to Bariloche.

The bus was a little tardy but we still had time. However, along the way the driver picked up an older lady who was on her way to work at one of the large estates in town. Then we stopped again to pick up two other older ladies on their way Bariloche. But the best pick up was yet to come. We were a good distance from town when we came upon an older gentleman and a young boy. The bus driver stopped and opened the door so they could get in. The man was very greatful and said, “Thank you, sir, but I also have my chicken.” Sure enough, he held up a white sack with a hole and the chicken popped its head out to say hello. Bob and I almost busted a gut. But we held it back. The chicken was no problem for the driver. He found a safe place for it below with the luggage and we were off again once more.

The bus ride gave us one more time to relax and enjoy the breath taking scenery that awaits anyone visiting the Rio Negro or Nuquen provinces. Now, on to more travel mayhem.

We arrived in the bus terminal on time. We got our luggage and took our place in the taxi queue. While we were waiting, a remise pulled up to pick up the next passengers in line, but no one was budging. Maybe they thought the remise was going to be far more expensive than a taxi. Bob and I learned from the hostess at Carlos V that the rates are set by the tourist board and are virtually the same. So both Bob and I kept our eyes on the driver. Within a minute he found our glance. We gave him the thumbs up and he pulled up to the curb. Sorry folks, I know we got rude glances because it seems like we jumped ahead of everyone, but no one made an offer for a ride. We knew what to do and were off to the airport in minutes.

I think we arrived around 6PM which is a bit early for an 8:30 flight. But it proved to be a brilliant move. There were no other travelers in line and we were the first to discover the 2927 flight into AEP was cancelled and the earliest flight we could get was a midnight flight into EZE. So what could we do but take it. The only other option she gave us was an 8AM flight the next morning. Luckliy we had enough cash for the now more expensive transport back into town from EZE. Thank you very much, Areolineas. You will be hearing from me on that one.

We got our tickets and headed to the cafe to start our long afternoon/evening wait. As we dined on the finest food the airport could offer, we saw the crowds form and the lines grow. Some people just gave up and went back to town. Bob and I spent as much time as we could at our table. The crowds grew so large in the cafe, it was just time to move on. I found the internet booth and Bob went to enjoy some cigarettes. For five pesos ($1.50USD) I got a full hour online. I had been unable to check emails for almost 2 days. It was a nice treat and a great time gobbler.

The rest of the evening was spent walking around the very small corridor of the airport back and forth, listening to Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld on the iPod and waiting for the gate number on our flight to show up. I learned that Demorado meant delayed. So our flight was now ‘demorado’ed’ by 30 minutes. The second the gate number popped up, Bob and I were in line at security.

The flight took off around midnight and arrived around 2:30. Luggage around 3:00. We took a taxi ride from 3:26 to 3:46 into town. Checked in to the hotel before 4AM. Finally, we were in bed and asleep by 4:30 AM. We literally were traveling for 12 hours. For four more hours and $150 USD less, we could have taken a bus with quasi beds and have been sleeping the whole time. I will have to remember that for next time.

This evening we had tea and crumpets at Las Violetas and then went to see El Caballero de la Noche (The Dark Knight) with Isabel and Maxi.

Here are some photos.

wish us luck and a safe and fast flight. we will post more in a little while.

It has been a very interesting experience down here. As I said, I have met so many nice people. Like today I rode the lift with a kid from Sao Paulo, Brazil. We were both comiserating about the chill in the air on the lift ride up. But the long ride made for a nice time talking about sports. I met another gentleman on our boat tour yesterday who was orignially from Mexico but now lives in Madison Wisconsin. Go figure. So no matter how cold it may get here at the resort, it is nothing like his winters in Minnesota. On the gondola ride down today I chatted with a mom and son who actually live in Bariloche. You will see from the photos how two thirds or more of the mountain are bare. She said last year the entire resort was blanketed in snow. Go figure! Oh well. We are still having a great time and staying safe. The nice guy at the rental place took the tags off a helmet in his store and rented it to me for the day. No one around here rents helmets. So that was really cool of him. Personal note to my sister…Muchos Cutos Chicos aca. I should hook her up with someone while I am here. Not only cute but very nice.

Favorite food in Barilcohe so far has been Chocolate. Not the grocery store kind. Real rich dark chocolate. Two great places I have stopped have been Turistas and Abuela Goye.

We talked to Dottie and Chris on the video chat last night. Since they have high speed wi-fi here in the hotel, the connection was perfect. So for anyone out there that was wondering if it is worth it….It is! We were halfway around the world and a face to face call home was free. A lot cheaper than my cell phone.

We are off to dinner soon. Muchos besos. Ciao ciao! Disfruta las fotos nuevas!

When the morning clouds broke, we were able to see the amazing mountains surrounding the lake. We were both surprised to see how rough the water was. You never really think that a lake would have rapid currents. The first of two stops was to see La Cascada y El Lago Canteros, a beautiful waterfall and lake nestled back in a lush and green forest. The second stop was at a hotel isolated back in a secluded nook of the landscape surrounding the lake. It is a popular base station for people who wish to hike not only around the lake but also into the vistas of Chile which borders Argentina. One of the photos you will see a sign that tells you how far you will need to hike to certain points in the mountains. Half are in Argentina and the other half are in Chile.

On the way back from the waterfall the heavy rain turned in to gobby white snow. Possibly a promising sign for tomorrow. Enjoy the photos and I will try to write more often. But I do get to board tomorrow, I cannot make any promises. I will be very tired.

Muchos besos or as my sister told me…
muchos fun-os

We walked the full length of Florida St and ended up near the Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada. We spent some time in the Cathedral and took some photos. The Casa Rosada was partially open. They had a small display available on the first floor.

From there we walked a little further and into Puerto Madero. Now Armando laughed at me last night when I said that parts of this city reminded me of Baltimore. He said No Way! Bs As is the Paris of South America. I say OK Then Baltimore must be the Paris of the East coast. Port towns look very similar especially ones that were once bustling with industry and cargo shipments. Now they have converted the waterfront property into trendy apartments and condos. The waterfront reminded me of the Inner Harbor. And my final opinion was sealed when we found a Hooters restaurant on the water near the Yacht Club. Sorry, Armando. I am not arguing the beauty of this city and its rich history. But Yes, it is very similar to Baltimore. In fact I will wage an offer that the areas of Palermo will remind me of Baltimore’s tony parts of town especially an area called Roland Park.

The one thing we have not seen is scary panhandlers. Baltimore is the only city where I have experienced such aggressive tactics.

Enjoy some photos

We settled into our hotel and finally slept.

Our first argentine dinner was with Bob’s family. Daniel cooked a wonderful carne asado and delicious chorizos. It was wonderful to share a meal with them. Son muy simpaticos y amables y generosos. Even though our spanish is on the beginning to intermediate level, we were able to talk all evening long. So I feel like my self taught spanish lessons paid off. It will be interesting to see if I improve after a week and a half.

No photos so far. We have two city tours tomorrow. So expect a lot of photos on the next post.
I added international calling to my plan but have not been able to get it to work at all. So if you were hoping to hear from me, I apologize in advance. Email, text messaging and blogging may be the only way I am able to keep in touch while I am here.

…and this is just San Carlos de Bariloche.