Chapter One: Bariloche

At first, I wasn't going to keep a blog.  I thought it would take up a lot of time, and I'm on facebook (of course). My plan was to use Facebook as a way to share my adventure, but having arrived in Patagonia on the fourth day of my trip, I came to realize that this place is way to beautiful to not share. Don't get me wrong, Buenos Aires is a lovely city, and I am thrilled knowing that I will be attending school in the city, but there is something special in this Patagonia air that is worth shouting about.

To start off, I will tell you the logistics to this Patagonia adventure.  I am with a group of twelve people.  Nine girls, and three guys.  All incredible people willing to jump at any adventure that crosses our path.  We all met up in Buenos Aires, and hopped on a twenty hour bus ride to Bariloche. It is much more common to take busses in South America, versus hoping on a plane.  It was a double decker bus, with seats that turned into very comfortable beds.  The service was amazing, and the alcohol was flowing.  Delicious wine, whiskey and champagne were served...along with some good food too. I understand why busses are the norm down here, I didn't want to get off, even after twenty hours.

As we pulled up to Bariloche, a city with almost 110,000 people (each one as beautiful as the next), we were engulfed by the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the Andes. I instantly could picture myself living here. People are roaming the streets, kayaks thrown over there backs, bikes between there legs, back packs strapped to their bodies, and climbing gear dripping off of each limb. With huge smiles on their faces, these people are the most incredible I have ever encountered. Once we got off the bus, we dropped our stuff off at the hostel, which is lake front, and started on our first venture.

We went to the ski mountain, el Catedral, and took a chair lift to the top (a bit touristy for my liking, I would have rather hiked up).  From the top, one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. Surrounded by the bluest water, the greenest grass, and the Andes, tears started to flow down my cheeks.  Tears of pureness--happiness--simplicity.

This doesn't even compare to what the view actually was.  I am trying to figure out how to take a panoramic picture, but so far that has been a failure.

Inspired by Swiss architecture, this city is drizzled with the most magnificent homes. The European influence is so extreme, it seems as though I am not in South America.  Rather a quaint town, situated between the mountains of Switzerland.  Even though this house doesn't look very Swiss, I'd like to live here one day.

I've been repeating to myself "Jodi, you're in Patagonia!" It is to surreal to handle. I still can not believe that I am fortunate to experience a place like this. Bariloche, which translates to "people behind the mountain"is a place that I will come back to.  Because this is a new place, I was expecting the need to transition.  When I've traveled in the past, stepping in and out of different countries, I have experienced a bit of shock.  Some places more then less, but still, a feeling of anxiousness overcomes my body.  As to be expected when trying to fit in a place that is foreign. When I arrived in Bariloche, I felt at home.  At ease. Maybe it is because the fresh mountain air, or the people, who are the most incredible I have ever seen, possibly the lake, which stretches on to what seems to be infinite, or the feeling that this town emits, an urge to seek out, and indulge into the offerings that this incredible world provides.

I'd like to add more, but there is a bonfire, some good meat, and a beer calling my name!

Ciao,
J.