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Published: January 21st 2006
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Bariloche
Lago Nahuel Huapi From Cerro Otto Hola
Hope you are all well.
I am in love with Bareloche and I dont want to leave.
It is stunning, very green with loads snow capped mountains and amazing lakes - that must be why its called The Lake District of Argentina.
The buildings are very pretty, made mostly of wood, just like in the Alps. In the winter it is a ski resort. We have been up to the Cerra Otto (which is just outside my house) on the ski lift and had dinner in the revolving restaurant, was brill. We have also done lots of partying as there are lots of bars etc and its busy with tourists.
It is a lot cooler here and has lots of rain! It is very unpredicatable and the other day it was 28C and sunny in the morning but snowing in the evening! But I am thankful to finally wear some other clothes.
Oh and was suprised about this... It is THE place to come for chocolate. They have 1000s of chocolate shops!
It has been a huge learning experience for me in Bariloche. Firstly, theres the Español, and after nearly 2 weeks of lessons,
Centro Civico
The centre of Bariloche I am better but still have a long way to go before I reach fuency! Have learned all about verbs and stuff and its all very exciting.
I seem to have days when I am confident to speak and then days when I am just terrible. The spanish teacher is absolutly brilliant, we went to the museum on a field trip too, and learned about the Native Americans and how Bariloche was founded.
Secondly, theres the Tango. Lo and I have been having lessons! They are hilarious, after the initial induction and once we had learned the basic steps we were separated off with partners. My first partner was 14! Then I got promoted to a 20yr old who was very strict, and kept stopping the minute I moved without him guiding me.
Apparently I am a natural !! And Lo who is usually nifty on her pins, feels she would be better if she wasnt so tall!! ( I have never heard of anyone being too tall to Tango before, but then the guys are little on the short side, being 14 years old!!). We just arent used to being lead!
Thirdly, I have learned lots about
The top of the mountain
In our favourite place - At the top of a mountain. The Cerro Otto the culture of Argentina and have had a brilliant time with my host family. They are very lovely and made me feel very welcome. I was invited to their daughters boyfriends 21st Birthday party, he had a BBQ in his house (in a purpose built room!) with all his family and friends. I was in shock at the quantity of much meat on the BBQ - (there was about 3 cows worth). They do love their Carne and are very proud of it, I often cause confusion and possibly offence by not eating meat, its just not known in Argentina. I keep wanting to try some but chicken out at the last minute - I will try some steak before I leave Arg.
Also went their nieces surprise 15 años birthday party, in Argentina when a girl turns 15 it is a huge birthday. It was lovely and Brian (the son) played his guitar when she arrived. I met all their extended family too, they were all lovely. On Monday, Daniel (the Dad) took me & Magdelana (another student) and Marsella (his niece) to El Bolson to buy 20kg of raspberries for his wifes tea shop. El Bolson is
about 150km away and is a tiny hippy town, with lots of berries, on the way there are the most spectacular views. One is of the best lake I have ever seen, really really blue and totally mirrored. Will show you when I sort my camera out! Was so stunning.
They are always so nice they didnt even mind when I had to wake them up at 7am on Sunday morning, after losing my key in a night club. They make all their own jams and bread and all eat together, they eat really late though - like about 11, (this is normal in Arg). I will be sad to leave them.
Lo´s family are also lovely, her Mum is a great cook, but she has 2 more students too in the house (both English) so our separation plan didnt work! We are planning on doing more homestays on our travels, about every 6 weeks, the next in Bolivia. They are the best thing and give us chance to learn spanish, unpack for a bit and have our own bathroom!
We still have lots to do in Bariloche and go to catedral mountain on Sat and we
Lago Guellelmo
The Beautiful Mirrored Lake are trying to get out on the lake and try a bit of trout fishing!
We leave on Sunday for Puerto Madryn, the Welsh settlement on the east coast, where there are thousands of penguins! We have treated ourselves to 1st class fully reclining seats! We leave at 6pm and arrive in Puerto Madryn at 7am. The buses are brilliant in Arg and we love travelling on them. They serve hot meals, snacks, wine (all free) and there is always a game of bingo. They also put on some good films and give you a blanket & pillow!
Well I must go now and spend some more time by the lake Nahuel Huapi, theres a widsurfing competion on.
Take care
Love
Hayley
xxxxxx
www.bariloche.org
PS: Happy Birthday to my bro Martyn, Uncle Ally, lil sister Caitlin, and Happy 30th Lotte - have a good time in Cleethorpes!
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martyn
non-member comment
sound great
hayley, you trip sounds wicked!!! need to see more piccies tho- so fix yer camera now!!!! love you .. bruvvvv.