Blogs from Neuquén, Argentina, South America - page 8

I´ve now been in Bariloche for 4 days, but it feels like several weeks worth of experiences. I think I am still in culture shock to some degree, or maybe I´m just trying to get used to this new rhythm. Actually, I still don´t quite know what the new rhythm is! Whereas I´d expected to take Spanish classes in a group every day, it turns out that there is no one else at my level (a sort of not-quite-beginner level, but muddy and messy enough to not be with one of the more advanced groups!) so my only choice is to take one-on-one lessons. I´ve had two such lessons so far, with Silvi, a very patient and warm teacher who is originally from Buenos Aires. I go to her house for lessons: she owns a beautiful ... read more

So here I am in San Carlos de Bariloche (apparently this town is not an option on this blog so I chose San Martin de Los Angeles, the next closest town!) in the heart of Argentina´s Lake District. I will probably be here for 2 weeks studying Spanish at a school called "Spanish in the Mountains" and staying in a family homestay situation. It took me 23 hours to get here on the bus!!!!!!!!!! I rode in a "semi-cama" seat which means that the seat reclines halfway back, and there is a foot rest. But believe me, after 23 hours it ain´t no picnic. I am now frantically trying to reconsider the rest of my travel plans in order to avoid similarly long bus rides. But there are such great distances in Argentina, I think I ... read more

14th January, Pucon y San Martin, Argentina We got a 6 hour bus to the lake district of Argentina.. We have to be in Buenos Aires for the spanish classes starting soon, so we thought we´d have a few days in the lake district 1st. While waiting for the coach, i needed the loo, so had to run back to the hostel (i coudnt use the one at the bus station as jake had spent the last of our money on bloody pastries!).. back at the hostel, the owner called over to me, i thought he was going to start questioning me about using the loo after we´d checked out, but much to my embarrassment he walked me over to a pile of washing, which was obviously from our room, on top of the towels, he ... read more

Bonne et heureuse annee 2009 a tous!! Apres un 22h de bus tres confortable d'ailleur, avec 3 repas servis a bord, des films et de beaux paysages, on a pas de quoi s'ennuyer.. nous voici a San Martin de Los Andes depuis le 31 decembre. Nous avons donc "souligner" la nouvelle annee avec un bon repas au restaurent de notre camping. A minuit, nous nous attendions a un minimum d'action, mais ce fut en vain! Nous avons donc conclus que les Argentins ne fetait pas vraiment le jour de l'an... Ce n'est q'une heure plus tard que le camping s'est soudainement anime :feux dartifice, cries, etc... Doh!! .. nous avons compris qu'il y avait 1 heure de decalage entre Buenos Aires et San Martin, probablement du a l'heure de l'ete! Alors ce fut plutot comique. Le ... read more

After getting off the boat in Puerto Montt, we headed to Bariloche to try and organise a camping trip. I also needed to book my onward bus journey to Tucuman in time for Christmas - this turned out to be a bit of a nightmare because I had forgotten I was travelling very close to Christmas and so most bus companies were booked solid until well after the 25th. Finally though, I got the precious ticket (40 hours long, and allegedly with vegetarian meal!) Then we headed off to San Martin de los Andes, a few hours north of Bariloche to start camping. Luckily for me, the girls (Taryn and Anna) said they could make some space for me in their little 2 person tent and so all I needed to do was get a sleeping ... read more