Leaving Bariloche





Okay,
so it never really stopped raining in Bariloche but the clouds did part
now and then. We took a local bus partly around the lake and then rode a
chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario for some nice views of the
snow capped mountains to the West and the series of lakes, islets, and
wooded peninsulas to the East.

Yesterday, we braved the drizzle
and hiked up 1400 meters from the center of town to the top of Cerro
Otto for more views and to get some exercise (which was badly needed
after multiple steak and beer dinners).
Dan hiking up Cerro OttoWe
stopped at another cool mountain hut (a.k.a. Refugio) on the way and
had some hot tea next to the fire while talking to some older German
ladies who took the gondola up and were hiking down (hmmm, that did
sound like an easier way to do it). Again, our efforts were rewarded
with fantastic views of the scenery (between passsing cloud banks
anyway). Speaking of steak dinners, I think we set a new record. 13
Pesos ($4.33) for a LARGE fillet mignon the size of two in the States.
So that´s like $2 and change for a top notch steak - and heck you might
as well order two at that price!

Today was supposed to be our
flight to El Calafate but, alas, there is an airline strike which
apparantly could go on indefinately. We finally decided to agree to take
the 20 hour bus ride down Route 40 (the Argentinian version of Route
66) to our destination. Yes, that´s right, a 20 hour bus ride! It leaves
in a couple hours so now, we just killing time till "take off". It was
mass confusion at the airport and a weird looking Russian dude named
Igor latched on to us as he spoke no Spanish and only a very little
English so we helped him understand the situation and the options (wait
forever in Bariloche for the strike to end and hope to get on another
plane, or buck up and take the super long bus ride). On the taxi ride
back into town from the airport, Doug taught the cab driver the meaning
of the phrase, "That´s ********!". We got a voucher for a free dinner at
an Italian restaurant across the street from the airline office and
Igor joined us for that as well. It was fun watching him try to read the
menu which was in Italian with Spanish subtext and order in broken
English with a thick Russian accent. We´ll I guess I´m not the worse one
off here!

Will write again once safe and sound in El Calafate.