¡Bariloche!

Three words describe this trip: hiking. chocolate. snow.

It was a truly majestic place and the trip was an absolute pleasure. For the first time all semester, we stayed in a real hotel instead of a hostel, flew 2 hours by airplane instead of a 20-hour bus trip, and took private tours of just about ever nook and cranny in the area. Best part: it was all paid for by COPA, our program. :)

We stayed in El Hotel Amancay, which was possibly located in the most beautiful spot ever. It was right along side a lake and surrounded by snowy-topped mountains and green forest. The water in Bariloche is a beautiful blue color because of the combination of minerals in the water. It really made for an incredible view. Waking up in Amancay wasn't hard either. The complimentary breakfast included fresh fruit, warm medialunas, and the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted.

Our first day we spent walking about the town of San Carlos de Bariloche, also simply called Bariloche. It's a very popular vacation spot for Argentinians, especially in the winter. We wanted to go snowboarding and skiing but the snow was basically gone. Bariloche is an old Swiss town, and from the architecture to the huge Saint Bernards that crowd the main plaza, you really feel like you're in another country. I would probably argue that it was the most touristy trip I've had yet...and that's not to say I didn't enjoy it either.

I went with about half of the students in my program, who all have the same attitude about Argentina as i do, they are in LOVE with it. Albeit, we did speak a fair amount of English for once. We find ourselves using words like "flanky" (a combination of the spanish word, flaco (skinny) and the english word, lanky) or horrible spanglish like "I have ganas" (a mix of "tengo ganas" and it's translation, "I feel like doing xx.."). It has really become comical to listen to our english. I stuttered the other day when I called home...I really feel like I am losing the English language a little bit! However, I think I'm a pretty fluent Spanish-speaker now! Yay!

We stopped in the local chocolate factories, something Bariloche is famous for. I ate far more than my body can handle because it was really that amazing. The thing that I loved the most were the white chocolate ramas. Ramas are like mini-logs of sweetness. Dreamy.

After exploring the city and stuffing our faces, the group and I set off to see the sites. All I can say is that it was absolutely beautiful...Just look at the pictures. Our first view was near Cerro Catedral. I took a chairlift up to the top and it was breathtaking. Our program directors took that opportunity to point out the mountain that we would be climbing the following day! We went back down the mountain and began a driving tour with Maxi, our guide. He was absolutely obnoxious and I don't think he took a single breath throughout the whole thing.

For dinner we headed to a local brewery. We had deer meat, which I am accustomed to, but most of the other Americans experienced it's goodness for the first time, and we tried a variety of brews. I ended up sticking with a Cider, which was very tasty. The huge spread of comida we had also included homemade breads, chorizo güiso (stew), locally farmed potatoes and beets, plus homemade ice cream for dessert. No one had anything to complain about and we all left the restaurant a little dizzy and very full!

The next morning came early. We all dressed in our hiking gear and really had no idea what we were in for. We were all carted over to the foot of Cerro Lopez. Cerro Lopez is 2076 meters tall, and we climbed to the top, well almost. Here's the scoop... We started hiking at around 10 am in a fairly small group. Everyone survived the climb, and it was not easy. At times it required the use of hands to crawl upwards because it was such a steep incline. Every 5 minutes I would turn around and look at the view. I couldn't quite decide when was the best moment, but it was incredible.

As we all climbed, we began to sweat and shed layers. It was only when we came to the 2000 meter point, where we were all walking on snow, did we all begin to redress. The snowy part of the mountain was especially difficult because we had to make our own trail. It had snowed the night before and there was about 2 meters of pure, white snow under my feet. Every few steps my foot would fall all the way through. I hald to be completely cliché and make a snow angel and then we all had a snowball fight. Needless to say, my tennis shoes weren't the best snow boots and I was completely soaked and freezing. However, being a tough girl from Wisconsin gave me an advantage! :) Some of the students I was with had never seen that much snow in their lives!

Then, defeat came. Our guides advised us to turn around. The last 35 meters to the top was too dangerous to climb on account of possible avalanche. Completely valid, right?

Freezing and wet, we made our way back down the mountain. I was sweating and soaked by the time I made it to the bottom. I had never climbed a mountain that size, or at all. It was a wonderful experience that I really hope to have again. I will admit, my legs were a pretty sore the next day!

Every single one of my trips has been completely unique and amazing. Bariloche was like a postcard, no matter where I went it was beautiful.

I am really starting to miss home!!! I can't wait to come back and see everyone's faces. I only have 2 full months left as of today...which is sad but I can't help but be excited for Christmas. These next couple months are going to go quickly too. My classes end in 3 weeks, so I'll have finals soon. Then Lisa's coming...yay family visit :) and then I'll be traveling around South America!

Once again, I am in awe and so thankful.

Besos!!!!

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