What are you doing to that cow Aggie!??!
December 9, 2005
December 8, 2005
Mountain Biking Chicas!
So I have had many firsts on this trip so far and must say I am quite proud of myself. Pat, pat.
To explain.....we are now in Villa la Angostura(remembered the name! good for me). It is a very small town, only 1.5 hours from Bariloche. But very pretty. Got here on Monday afternoon, dropped out bags at the hostel, then wandered the town, got dinner, and retreated back to the hostel with a few bottles of wine. Was a very strange first night because there was some kind of party with the owners and their friends. Was like being in the middle of a private party that we were not invited to. Also lots of little kids running around. Kinda strange, considering the past hostels we have stayed in.
So! Yesterday! We decided to rent mountain bikes......thats right, mountain bikes!! If you know me at all, you know I have only ever ridden a bike about 2 or 3 times in my life! Seriously. I must say I was a little nervous at first, since I am 27 years old and don´t really know how to ride a bike. And our plan was to ride the 5km to the national park, and then the 12km dirt trail to the end, and then back the entire 17kms. A little adventurous for a first time mountain biker. Thankfully the first 5km were on a paved road, mostly down hill. Yaa, make it in one piece!(Torture coming back though!) At the park we had to register, just in case we didn´t make it back before the park closed. The first 2km were basically up hill. So we had to push and sometimes carry our bike uphill and over boulders and trees. Very tired when we reached the end of that. The next 10km of the trail were both up and down, lots of mud puddles and tree roots to go over. It was SO much fun! At the end we made it to the same forest we went to on the boat from Bariloche. This time we stopped for a snack at the really funky cafe there. It was getting super cold, so we went straight back to town from the park, all 17kms. We were soooo tired and cold by the end, we couldn´t wait to get home. But it was so much fun, and I have never done anything like that before. The trail was beautiful too. Pics to follow when in Mendoza! Yaa for me! Pat, pat. Rewarded ourselves by going to a very nice resturant. Kinda pricey, and the food wasn´t that great, but great drinks and atmosphere! Right to bed after that.
Today we have been chilling out all day. Must say I am more than a little sore. Catching up on journal writing, reading, playing cards, window shopping. Tonight Aggie is making some curry(last nights was supposed to be VERY spicey, but wasn´t at all, Argentina does not know what spicey means!), will enjoy some vino, and then might stop by the pub here. Tomorrow we are going to San Martin de los Andes. Supposed to be very nice, and very expensive. Has been pretty cold here at times, but I must say we have been sooo lucky with the weather. When we get to Mendoza it is supposed to be about 35 degrees! Yikes! I´m going to melt for sure. But will love it. Need to work on my tan again after all these mountain adventures in the cold.
So I promise I will get some pics up in Mendoza. Had to email the blogger web site so they could take off all the security on spam and I could get my pics on easier. So planning on heading to the internet shop everyday I am there, during the hottest part of the day and hiding from the heat.
Alright my friends and fam, take care. Thinking of you all.
To explain.....we are now in Villa la Angostura(remembered the name! good for me). It is a very small town, only 1.5 hours from Bariloche. But very pretty. Got here on Monday afternoon, dropped out bags at the hostel, then wandered the town, got dinner, and retreated back to the hostel with a few bottles of wine. Was a very strange first night because there was some kind of party with the owners and their friends. Was like being in the middle of a private party that we were not invited to. Also lots of little kids running around. Kinda strange, considering the past hostels we have stayed in.
So! Yesterday! We decided to rent mountain bikes......thats right, mountain bikes!! If you know me at all, you know I have only ever ridden a bike about 2 or 3 times in my life! Seriously. I must say I was a little nervous at first, since I am 27 years old and don´t really know how to ride a bike. And our plan was to ride the 5km to the national park, and then the 12km dirt trail to the end, and then back the entire 17kms. A little adventurous for a first time mountain biker. Thankfully the first 5km were on a paved road, mostly down hill. Yaa, make it in one piece!(Torture coming back though!) At the park we had to register, just in case we didn´t make it back before the park closed. The first 2km were basically up hill. So we had to push and sometimes carry our bike uphill and over boulders and trees. Very tired when we reached the end of that. The next 10km of the trail were both up and down, lots of mud puddles and tree roots to go over. It was SO much fun! At the end we made it to the same forest we went to on the boat from Bariloche. This time we stopped for a snack at the really funky cafe there. It was getting super cold, so we went straight back to town from the park, all 17kms. We were soooo tired and cold by the end, we couldn´t wait to get home. But it was so much fun, and I have never done anything like that before. The trail was beautiful too. Pics to follow when in Mendoza! Yaa for me! Pat, pat. Rewarded ourselves by going to a very nice resturant. Kinda pricey, and the food wasn´t that great, but great drinks and atmosphere! Right to bed after that.
Today we have been chilling out all day. Must say I am more than a little sore. Catching up on journal writing, reading, playing cards, window shopping. Tonight Aggie is making some curry(last nights was supposed to be VERY spicey, but wasn´t at all, Argentina does not know what spicey means!), will enjoy some vino, and then might stop by the pub here. Tomorrow we are going to San Martin de los Andes. Supposed to be very nice, and very expensive. Has been pretty cold here at times, but I must say we have been sooo lucky with the weather. When we get to Mendoza it is supposed to be about 35 degrees! Yikes! I´m going to melt for sure. But will love it. Need to work on my tan again after all these mountain adventures in the cold.
So I promise I will get some pics up in Mendoza. Had to email the blogger web site so they could take off all the security on spam and I could get my pics on easier. So planning on heading to the internet shop everyday I am there, during the hottest part of the day and hiding from the heat.
Alright my friends and fam, take care. Thinking of you all.
December 5, 2005
Our last day in Bariloche
Ok so where we left off.......
We took a really nice catameran type boat to Isla Victoria in the lake. Didn´t think we needed to follow the guide and a big group, so decided to venture out on our own. We thought the path would be clearly marked.....clearly we were wrong and managed to get ourselves a little lost. We came across some guys who were cutting down some trees and got to see a huge tree come crashing to the ground. Had to be there to hear how loud it was. Very cool. Took a video....
We managed to find our way back to the path, which was much shorter than we thought. But we saw some beautiful views along the way. Enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine, then back on the boat. After that they took us to another place across the lake where there is a beautiful forest(some funky tree.....cant remember the name just now). Wandered, then back on the boat and home. The views around the lake are so amazing. Bariloche really is such a gorgeous area.
On Thursday Me, Aggie, and a German guy, Adrien, hiked to the top of Cerro Otto. The mountains are literally right on our door step. We walked out the door and walked to the mountain. It was a great hike. At the top we were rewarded with a stunning view.....and a revolving resturant!! After lunch we hiked to the Rock, another mountain top with more amazing views. And then back down the mountain. It was a great day, but I was sooo tired after.
On Friday me and Mik went to Cerro Catedral, the biggest ski resort in Argentina. It was a little expensive to take the lift up, but it was worth it. The view from the top was absolutely amazing. It was a little like the mountains in Lord of the Rings. Fantastic! We had lunch at the top, built snowmen and took tonnes of photos. Didn´t want to go back down.
Yesterday we rented a car, a Fiat this time(not as posh as the last for sure!), and drove to a small town called El Bolson, south of Bariloche. It was an amazing drive. The views of the mountains are constantly changing, and theres always something new to look at. There is a great handicraft market in El Bolson, which is the entire reason we went there. Satisfied the shopping urge, stopped off at a waterfall on the way home(not very impressive after seeing Iguazu) and then home. Last night we went for dinner with this guy we met in Cordoba and ran into here. A great resturant with trees growing through it, and a really funky door, like walking into a hobbit hole! It was so beautiful. And of course we went out, to an Irish pub called Wilkenny. We have been to this place FAR too much this week. Its "the" place to be in Bariloche. Almost a big a draw as the mountains! Ha, ha.
So today we are layin low. We leave tomorrow for a little place a few hours away. Two days there, then to San Martin de los Andes for 3 days, and back to Mendoza. We will spend about 4 days there, celebrate Aggies birthday, then head to Santiago and send Aggie on her way!!
Have absolute confirmation that Tracy is coming to meet me! YAHOOOO!!! So excited about that. She gets here the morning that Mikki leaves, so I won´t be left alone for an instant! So thats all from this end so far. Kinda glad to be heading north again and back into the sunshine. Mendoza should be really hot. Pool side once again!
Take care all. Photos will be coming for sure once I reach Mendoza where I know I can do it. I have sooo freakin many. Will take ages, so will have to limit the amount I put on. Anyways! Till next time!
Ciao!
We took a really nice catameran type boat to Isla Victoria in the lake. Didn´t think we needed to follow the guide and a big group, so decided to venture out on our own. We thought the path would be clearly marked.....clearly we were wrong and managed to get ourselves a little lost. We came across some guys who were cutting down some trees and got to see a huge tree come crashing to the ground. Had to be there to hear how loud it was. Very cool. Took a video....
We managed to find our way back to the path, which was much shorter than we thought. But we saw some beautiful views along the way. Enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine, then back on the boat. After that they took us to another place across the lake where there is a beautiful forest(some funky tree.....cant remember the name just now). Wandered, then back on the boat and home. The views around the lake are so amazing. Bariloche really is such a gorgeous area.
On Thursday Me, Aggie, and a German guy, Adrien, hiked to the top of Cerro Otto. The mountains are literally right on our door step. We walked out the door and walked to the mountain. It was a great hike. At the top we were rewarded with a stunning view.....and a revolving resturant!! After lunch we hiked to the Rock, another mountain top with more amazing views. And then back down the mountain. It was a great day, but I was sooo tired after.
On Friday me and Mik went to Cerro Catedral, the biggest ski resort in Argentina. It was a little expensive to take the lift up, but it was worth it. The view from the top was absolutely amazing. It was a little like the mountains in Lord of the Rings. Fantastic! We had lunch at the top, built snowmen and took tonnes of photos. Didn´t want to go back down.
Yesterday we rented a car, a Fiat this time(not as posh as the last for sure!), and drove to a small town called El Bolson, south of Bariloche. It was an amazing drive. The views of the mountains are constantly changing, and theres always something new to look at. There is a great handicraft market in El Bolson, which is the entire reason we went there. Satisfied the shopping urge, stopped off at a waterfall on the way home(not very impressive after seeing Iguazu) and then home. Last night we went for dinner with this guy we met in Cordoba and ran into here. A great resturant with trees growing through it, and a really funky door, like walking into a hobbit hole! It was so beautiful. And of course we went out, to an Irish pub called Wilkenny. We have been to this place FAR too much this week. Its "the" place to be in Bariloche. Almost a big a draw as the mountains! Ha, ha.
So today we are layin low. We leave tomorrow for a little place a few hours away. Two days there, then to San Martin de los Andes for 3 days, and back to Mendoza. We will spend about 4 days there, celebrate Aggies birthday, then head to Santiago and send Aggie on her way!!
Have absolute confirmation that Tracy is coming to meet me! YAHOOOO!!! So excited about that. She gets here the morning that Mikki leaves, so I won´t be left alone for an instant! So thats all from this end so far. Kinda glad to be heading north again and back into the sunshine. Mendoza should be really hot. Pool side once again!
Take care all. Photos will be coming for sure once I reach Mendoza where I know I can do it. I have sooo freakin many. Will take ages, so will have to limit the amount I put on. Anyways! Till next time!
Ciao!
November 30, 2005
Bariloche......or am I Back in Canada?¿?¿
So Friday....we rent a brand new VW Gol(not Golf) and drive to Punta Tombo. After getting a little lost, we finally found our way, and drove down the gravel road to get there(2.5 hours!) At this colony there is some 750,000 penguins. It was like a city of penguins. They have little burrows dug out in the hills, and they are everywhere. They also have little penguin babies right now. So cute. They were a little more spread out than we expected but we got to get right up and personal with them. We even had a few of them tour us around. They are so freakin cute when they walk. We also got to see an amradillo(from a distance). It was nice to have a car, and drive again after so long(I´m the only one who can drive manual!), and do it all on our own time. Without a big group of people. A good day. After a nice dinner back in Puerto Madryn, we head to the bus station for a 13 hour bus ride to Bariloche.
We arrive in the morning and it is pissing rain. Its on the lake, surrounded by mountains, green, and its raining! I feel like I am transported back to Rupert! The lake is so big it looks like the harbour in Rupert. It is beautiful, and the city is a little like Whistler. Our hostel is great, new, very cozy with a great view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Has a mountain lodge kind of feel. Check it out...www.barilochehostel.com.ar
We havent done too much here. Its pretty cold, a chilly 10 degrees today! Enjoying the city, new friends at the hostel, and some of the surrounding views. Today we took a chair lift up a mountain and saw a fantastic view of the lake and mountains. Its so beautiful here. Just wish it was a little warmer. Tomorrow we are taking a ferry to a Island in the lake and going to a national forest.
So thats all from me. Hope you are all well. Take care.
XOXO
We arrive in the morning and it is pissing rain. Its on the lake, surrounded by mountains, green, and its raining! I feel like I am transported back to Rupert! The lake is so big it looks like the harbour in Rupert. It is beautiful, and the city is a little like Whistler. Our hostel is great, new, very cozy with a great view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Has a mountain lodge kind of feel. Check it out...www.barilochehostel.com.ar
We havent done too much here. Its pretty cold, a chilly 10 degrees today! Enjoying the city, new friends at the hostel, and some of the surrounding views. Today we took a chair lift up a mountain and saw a fantastic view of the lake and mountains. Its so beautiful here. Just wish it was a little warmer. Tomorrow we are taking a ferry to a Island in the lake and going to a national forest.
So thats all from me. Hope you are all well. Take care.
XOXO
November 24, 2005
Wild Patagonia!
What an amazing day!!! So yesterday we arrived in Puerto Madryn. Not much to report, except me and Mik had another amazing steak for dinner! Ha, ha.
So the good stuff. Today we splurged and went on a tour on Pennisula Valdez. Our first stop was to see a colony of enourmous elephant sea lions. These things are huge. It is also an area where the orcas come in from the ocean and actually swim right on to the beach to catch the sea lions to eat! Amazing. But it is too early to see the orcas, since they dont arrive until December. But the elephant sea lions were so cool.
After that we went to see a small colony of penguins that live along a cliff. They were so freakin cute! And we were right up close to them. Got to see them waddling around and swimming. But there were only about 30 of them. On Friday we are going to a place where there are over 250,000 of them and we can walk right through them! Can´t wait!
After the penguins we went to another place where there were elephant sea lions and this time we were lucky enough to see some orcas right off the shore. They swam super close and they went really close to the sea lions. We thought they might try to come up the beach to catch one, but they swam away. But soo cool to see for sure!
Our last stop was to take a boat out to the bay and get up close and personal with some souther wright whales. We got to see one mom, with her pup. She made sure to posse with her tail in the air and hold it up for a long time, several times. They were there for soo long, just hangin out, spraying, lifting their heads and tails. It was amazing. Definatly the closest I have ever been to a whale like that! So amazing!
At the beginning of the day we also some some other local animals. One that looked like a big rabbit, or mini kangaroo. And another that was related to the camal. A fantastic day all in all. Tomorrow is chill day, and Friday we go to see the penguins. Maybe put some pics up tomorrow if I can find a good internet cafe!!! Impossible lately.
Cheers all!
So the good stuff. Today we splurged and went on a tour on Pennisula Valdez. Our first stop was to see a colony of enourmous elephant sea lions. These things are huge. It is also an area where the orcas come in from the ocean and actually swim right on to the beach to catch the sea lions to eat! Amazing. But it is too early to see the orcas, since they dont arrive until December. But the elephant sea lions were so cool.
After that we went to see a small colony of penguins that live along a cliff. They were so freakin cute! And we were right up close to them. Got to see them waddling around and swimming. But there were only about 30 of them. On Friday we are going to a place where there are over 250,000 of them and we can walk right through them! Can´t wait!
After the penguins we went to another place where there were elephant sea lions and this time we were lucky enough to see some orcas right off the shore. They swam super close and they went really close to the sea lions. We thought they might try to come up the beach to catch one, but they swam away. But soo cool to see for sure!
Our last stop was to take a boat out to the bay and get up close and personal with some souther wright whales. We got to see one mom, with her pup. She made sure to posse with her tail in the air and hold it up for a long time, several times. They were there for soo long, just hangin out, spraying, lifting their heads and tails. It was amazing. Definatly the closest I have ever been to a whale like that! So amazing!
At the beginning of the day we also some some other local animals. One that looked like a big rabbit, or mini kangaroo. And another that was related to the camal. A fantastic day all in all. Tomorrow is chill day, and Friday we go to see the penguins. Maybe put some pics up tomorrow if I can find a good internet cafe!!! Impossible lately.
Cheers all!
November 21, 2005
Warning...
Ok, so I didn´t know in which order these would publish.....so read the second one first and the first one second......got it???
Ciao!
Ciao!
More on BA
OK, things are slowly coming back to me...forgive me for my scattered thoughts.....also worth mentioning is at the BBQ, the hostel brought in a couple to give us a private tango show. Half way through they asked for volunteers to dance with them. Since no one would go up and I couldn´t pass up the opportunity at a free tango lesson, I volunteered. I was twirled around the dance floor, with no clue about what I was doing. It was fun, and I could check off another item on my list of things to do in Argentina!!
Football! Also on the list. We went to a Boca Jr´s(the favorite team in Buenos Aries) international game against Brazil(also a fairly important one, for them to get into the semi-finals, which they did!). It was soo much fun. We went with about 20 people from the hostel. They don´t serve alcohol at the games but we managed to sneak some in, and find the vendors who sold coke.....and their secret stash of wine...and another old man who had a mickey of whiskey. It was hilarious. It was also a great game. The Boca´s won 4-1 and the crowd went crazy. All the fans have songs they sing and they jump up and down so much that the stadium was moving. A little frightning. They also through heaps of confetti in the air and set off fireworks. They love their football here. A great night.
Generally in Argentina the food is nothing to write home about. Its basically the same everywhere, with very little international cuisine. But in Ba there is some variety and we made sure we enjoyed it all. We enjoyed some great thai curries, had some vegetarian food, all you can eat buffets, delicious chinese food that delivered, and one night we even had Indian curry! Soo good. We will miss it for sure!
We left BA on Tuesday night, and said goodbye to all our new friends, some of who made our visit there unforgetable(thanks for that girls!!). We took the bus to a beach resort town called Ville Gazelle, and then further outside of it to a campsite in an area called Mar Azul. We spent a couple of days on the beach, sleeping lots, writing in our journals, reading, playing cards, having lazy lunches, and just basically recuperating from the last month of craziness in Mendoza and BA. On our last night there, there was a huge thunderstorm. It was so strange to see rain, since it has been sunny here almost everyday since we crossed the border from Brazil to Argentina.
Yesterday we arrived at Bahia Blanca and are staying at a really nice hotel that used to be a mansion. We are enjoying having a private bathroom, maid service, and a tv!! Tomorrow we are heading to Puerto Madryn to see some wildlife, like penguins, whales, and sealions. Then west to Bariloche and the lake district(which is supposed to be amazing), up to Mendoza and over to Santiago. Aggie leaves December 17th(sniff, sniff) and Mik January 5th(sniff, sniff), but!........the good news is that my good friend Tracer is coming to meet me around January 3rd and to travel with me for the last leg of the trip!!! Yahoooo!!! I´m so excited. I hoping to spend most of the time in Bolivia(I have heard so many good things about it and it is super cheap) and some in Peru. But I can´t believe its almost December already! Crazy.
Anyhoo, I´ve attempted to load the program to put up some photos, but it will not work here, and to keep my sanity I have decided to try another day. So stay tuned. They will come eventually. Its just so frustrating sometimes. Would love some comments on the blog to know that someone out there is reading it! Thanks for the emails, they are very much appreciated. Love hearing stories from home! Until next time, take care all.
Salute!
Linds
Football! Also on the list. We went to a Boca Jr´s(the favorite team in Buenos Aries) international game against Brazil(also a fairly important one, for them to get into the semi-finals, which they did!). It was soo much fun. We went with about 20 people from the hostel. They don´t serve alcohol at the games but we managed to sneak some in, and find the vendors who sold coke.....and their secret stash of wine...and another old man who had a mickey of whiskey. It was hilarious. It was also a great game. The Boca´s won 4-1 and the crowd went crazy. All the fans have songs they sing and they jump up and down so much that the stadium was moving. A little frightning. They also through heaps of confetti in the air and set off fireworks. They love their football here. A great night.
Generally in Argentina the food is nothing to write home about. Its basically the same everywhere, with very little international cuisine. But in Ba there is some variety and we made sure we enjoyed it all. We enjoyed some great thai curries, had some vegetarian food, all you can eat buffets, delicious chinese food that delivered, and one night we even had Indian curry! Soo good. We will miss it for sure!
We left BA on Tuesday night, and said goodbye to all our new friends, some of who made our visit there unforgetable(thanks for that girls!!). We took the bus to a beach resort town called Ville Gazelle, and then further outside of it to a campsite in an area called Mar Azul. We spent a couple of days on the beach, sleeping lots, writing in our journals, reading, playing cards, having lazy lunches, and just basically recuperating from the last month of craziness in Mendoza and BA. On our last night there, there was a huge thunderstorm. It was so strange to see rain, since it has been sunny here almost everyday since we crossed the border from Brazil to Argentina.
Yesterday we arrived at Bahia Blanca and are staying at a really nice hotel that used to be a mansion. We are enjoying having a private bathroom, maid service, and a tv!! Tomorrow we are heading to Puerto Madryn to see some wildlife, like penguins, whales, and sealions. Then west to Bariloche and the lake district(which is supposed to be amazing), up to Mendoza and over to Santiago. Aggie leaves December 17th(sniff, sniff) and Mik January 5th(sniff, sniff), but!........the good news is that my good friend Tracer is coming to meet me around January 3rd and to travel with me for the last leg of the trip!!! Yahoooo!!! I´m so excited. I hoping to spend most of the time in Bolivia(I have heard so many good things about it and it is super cheap) and some in Peru. But I can´t believe its almost December already! Crazy.
Anyhoo, I´ve attempted to load the program to put up some photos, but it will not work here, and to keep my sanity I have decided to try another day. So stay tuned. They will come eventually. Its just so frustrating sometimes. Would love some comments on the blog to know that someone out there is reading it! Thanks for the emails, they are very much appreciated. Love hearing stories from home! Until next time, take care all.
Salute!
Linds
Ok, so just let me vent for a minute.........the computers in this country SUCK! I hate them. It takes me about 4 hours to load the pics on the web. They are sooo slow, they freeze just after I have written a long blog or email(only after), they won´t download the program I need to load pics on my blog, nothing freakin works and I cant´t read spanish!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!! I want to throw this computer through the wall!!!!
Siiiiiiggghhhhhhh!!! Ok, breath through it.........lets start AGAIN......
So, Buenos Aries.....after the shock of leaving Mendoza and coming to a city of 14 million people, we began to appreciate the city and enjoy all that it had to offer. It took us a few days, but we met some great new people and had a fantastic time there. Here are some of the things we did and saw.....in no particular order......
One of the areas we visited is called San Telmo. It is one of the oldest areas of the city, which is evident in the old architecture and cobbled streets. It also has a English bar there that serves fantastic Green Thai Curry!!! So good! Anyways, on Sundays they have an antiques market, which is by far the most bizarre market we have been too. The streets are busy with tourists and the vendors selling anything from old mate cups to jewlery to cutlery. The thing that made it so strange was that most of the vendors were dressed in costumes. Little old ladies dressed as angels and men as Batman or Egyptian Pharohs!!! They even had a band playing and they all started dancing together. I saw the Pink Panther boogie down with a red elephant!! Very entertaining. They also had lots of street performers, and old lady who dressed like a hooker that you could get your photo taken with! We also enjoyed a free tango show in the streets. Ohhh!!! One other thing of interest that happened that day....we went for lunch at an old cafe. As I was about to take my last bite of my really good chicken, I found the darkest, shortest, curliest hair!!!! Needless to say I didn´t have to pay for my meal!
Another area of the city we went to is called Palermo. Very trendy, good shopping and lots of funky bars and cafes. Me and Aggie had a wicked lunch at a vegetartian resturant, which is hard to find here, since all they eat is meat! The shopping in BA is some of the best, but I much prefer the markets, with all the arts and crafts. I haven´t bought a lot here but have splurged on a few things I loved.
Many, many nights in BA were spent hanging out with our new friends at Hostel Clan, drinking the nights away and either staying in or finding a place to dance the night away. A couple of the nights they had a big BBQ at the hostel and then out to a club. I have great pics from the last one! In BA no one goes out until about 2am, and they go home around 6 or 7am. That took some getting used to, so we had to keep practicing!! We are very good at it now.
By far the best night in BA was Creamfields. This is a HUGE electronic music festival in a park. There was around 60,000 people there this year. It was amazing! That afternoon our new friends Wez and Bec made breakfast for about 20 people at the hostel. A great way to start the day. We hung out there until about 7pm and then to another hostel for drinks and finally to Creamfields. I have never seen such a huge lineup to get in somewhere! But it moved fairly quickly, thank god! Inside we met up with some other people from the hostel, and we had a fanstatic group of 9 people for the night. We all stuck together, expect when we lost Paul for a few hours, and had a great time. Some of the people we saw included David Getter(a wicked French DJ, Tre...you would have loved him.....all the good ol tunes!!), Prodigy(yes they are still around and we had sooo much fun dancing to them! weird), Two Many DJ´s, and finally Paul Okenfold!!! And a few more we didnt know the names of. It was an amazing night. We danced until 6am, as the sun was coming up. As we left the park, with 60,000 other people, the sun was rising behind us, and everyone was cheering and clapping. What an amazing feeling. I´ll never forget that moment.
AAhhhh, we also finally learned some spanish!! We took lessons for 5 days, 2 hours a day. Not that much, but it gave me a basis to start from and I feel I can attempt to speak a little to the locals. And we can understand so much more now when people speak to us. So it was definatly worth it. Hopefully my learning will continue!
Ok I´m getting a little nervous that this computer isn´t going to work, so I´m going to publish this and write more later.....
Siiiiiiggghhhhhhh!!! Ok, breath through it.........lets start AGAIN......
So, Buenos Aries.....after the shock of leaving Mendoza and coming to a city of 14 million people, we began to appreciate the city and enjoy all that it had to offer. It took us a few days, but we met some great new people and had a fantastic time there. Here are some of the things we did and saw.....in no particular order......
One of the areas we visited is called San Telmo. It is one of the oldest areas of the city, which is evident in the old architecture and cobbled streets. It also has a English bar there that serves fantastic Green Thai Curry!!! So good! Anyways, on Sundays they have an antiques market, which is by far the most bizarre market we have been too. The streets are busy with tourists and the vendors selling anything from old mate cups to jewlery to cutlery. The thing that made it so strange was that most of the vendors were dressed in costumes. Little old ladies dressed as angels and men as Batman or Egyptian Pharohs!!! They even had a band playing and they all started dancing together. I saw the Pink Panther boogie down with a red elephant!! Very entertaining. They also had lots of street performers, and old lady who dressed like a hooker that you could get your photo taken with! We also enjoyed a free tango show in the streets. Ohhh!!! One other thing of interest that happened that day....we went for lunch at an old cafe. As I was about to take my last bite of my really good chicken, I found the darkest, shortest, curliest hair!!!! Needless to say I didn´t have to pay for my meal!
Another area of the city we went to is called Palermo. Very trendy, good shopping and lots of funky bars and cafes. Me and Aggie had a wicked lunch at a vegetartian resturant, which is hard to find here, since all they eat is meat! The shopping in BA is some of the best, but I much prefer the markets, with all the arts and crafts. I haven´t bought a lot here but have splurged on a few things I loved.
Many, many nights in BA were spent hanging out with our new friends at Hostel Clan, drinking the nights away and either staying in or finding a place to dance the night away. A couple of the nights they had a big BBQ at the hostel and then out to a club. I have great pics from the last one! In BA no one goes out until about 2am, and they go home around 6 or 7am. That took some getting used to, so we had to keep practicing!! We are very good at it now.
By far the best night in BA was Creamfields. This is a HUGE electronic music festival in a park. There was around 60,000 people there this year. It was amazing! That afternoon our new friends Wez and Bec made breakfast for about 20 people at the hostel. A great way to start the day. We hung out there until about 7pm and then to another hostel for drinks and finally to Creamfields. I have never seen such a huge lineup to get in somewhere! But it moved fairly quickly, thank god! Inside we met up with some other people from the hostel, and we had a fanstatic group of 9 people for the night. We all stuck together, expect when we lost Paul for a few hours, and had a great time. Some of the people we saw included David Getter(a wicked French DJ, Tre...you would have loved him.....all the good ol tunes!!), Prodigy(yes they are still around and we had sooo much fun dancing to them! weird), Two Many DJ´s, and finally Paul Okenfold!!! And a few more we didnt know the names of. It was an amazing night. We danced until 6am, as the sun was coming up. As we left the park, with 60,000 other people, the sun was rising behind us, and everyone was cheering and clapping. What an amazing feeling. I´ll never forget that moment.
AAhhhh, we also finally learned some spanish!! We took lessons for 5 days, 2 hours a day. Not that much, but it gave me a basis to start from and I feel I can attempt to speak a little to the locals. And we can understand so much more now when people speak to us. So it was definatly worth it. Hopefully my learning will continue!
Ok I´m getting a little nervous that this computer isn´t going to work, so I´m going to publish this and write more later.....
November 17, 2005
Great times in Buenos Aries
Hola everyone!!!
We are alive and well.....if any of you are wondering!! Sorry for the lack of emails, msn convos, and blog entries. We have been so busy in Buenos Aries, and I have so many stories to tell, but I will have to save them for another day. We have finally hit the beach again(Villa Gazelle-Mar Azul), and will only be here for a few days, then south, where it is not so warm. So time to soak up as much sun as possible. A little preview for the girls......Creamfields...+...60,000 people!...+...outdoor electronic festival..+...paul okenfold(sp?)...+...6pm-6am!=Good times! More later.....
Love to ya all!
Cheers
Linds
We are alive and well.....if any of you are wondering!! Sorry for the lack of emails, msn convos, and blog entries. We have been so busy in Buenos Aries, and I have so many stories to tell, but I will have to save them for another day. We have finally hit the beach again(Villa Gazelle-Mar Azul), and will only be here for a few days, then south, where it is not so warm. So time to soak up as much sun as possible. A little preview for the girls......Creamfields...+...60,000 people!...+...outdoor electronic festival..+...paul okenfold(sp?)...+...6pm-6am!=Good times! More later.....
Love to ya all!
Cheers
Linds
November 6, 2005
Ok.....so we went to La Boca and saw a little more than I bargined for!!! They are going to kill me for putting this up, but it was hilarious....so I feel the need to share! Ha, ha.
So we went to La Boca, a very touristy area of the city. The buildings are all painted in bright colours and there are free tango shows at the resturants. Anyways...so Mikki and Aggie go into an art gallery. I sat across the street waiting for them. All of a sudden I hear..."Liiiiiinndsayyyy!!!". I turn and look up at the roof of the building and I see Mikki and Aggie turn and double moon me from the roof!!!! Behind me some Japanese tourists are video taping them and a group of taxi drivers are yelling and waving, and I'm giving them the loco sign."My friends are craaaazy!!!" Like I said...I saw a little more than I thought I would!
Wednesday night we got home from the movies and I didn't feel tired. Mikki and Aggie went to bed early but I decided to mix with the other hostel folks, since there was a BBQ happening. Somehow I was convinced to go out with everyone! So weird, must have been my rubber arm. Went to one club but it was dark and dingy, so we all headed to a place called "Cha Cha Cha". Had a great night out and met lots of new people. Managed to get home as the sun was coming up.
Have spent the last couple of days wandering different areas of the city. Found a great vegetarian resturant, which is very rare here. Last night we hung out at the hostel and partied with the people here. Then went out at 3am(which is when they go out here in BA, crazy). The first place had a huge line, so me and Aggie left everyone and went to another bar. Danced the night away and came home around 7am. Good times.
Tonight is Saturday night! So we are going out with a bunch of people from the hostel. Should be a good time. One of the girls that works in the hostel in Mendoza just got here, so we will go out with her too. So fun. Monday we start the spanish course(there hasnt been space until then), and might go to a football game. We are kind of ready to leave the city and get back to the small towns. BA is great but, we are a little dissapointed. So many people talked it up so much, we were expecting a little more. But we are still managing to have a great time as always!
PS-don't worry about us because of the protests. we are staying away from the area it happened. its all good!!!
So we went to La Boca, a very touristy area of the city. The buildings are all painted in bright colours and there are free tango shows at the resturants. Anyways...so Mikki and Aggie go into an art gallery. I sat across the street waiting for them. All of a sudden I hear..."Liiiiiinndsayyyy!!!". I turn and look up at the roof of the building and I see Mikki and Aggie turn and double moon me from the roof!!!! Behind me some Japanese tourists are video taping them and a group of taxi drivers are yelling and waving, and I'm giving them the loco sign."My friends are craaaazy!!!" Like I said...I saw a little more than I thought I would!
Wednesday night we got home from the movies and I didn't feel tired. Mikki and Aggie went to bed early but I decided to mix with the other hostel folks, since there was a BBQ happening. Somehow I was convinced to go out with everyone! So weird, must have been my rubber arm. Went to one club but it was dark and dingy, so we all headed to a place called "Cha Cha Cha". Had a great night out and met lots of new people. Managed to get home as the sun was coming up.
Have spent the last couple of days wandering different areas of the city. Found a great vegetarian resturant, which is very rare here. Last night we hung out at the hostel and partied with the people here. Then went out at 3am(which is when they go out here in BA, crazy). The first place had a huge line, so me and Aggie left everyone and went to another bar. Danced the night away and came home around 7am. Good times.
Tonight is Saturday night! So we are going out with a bunch of people from the hostel. Should be a good time. One of the girls that works in the hostel in Mendoza just got here, so we will go out with her too. So fun. Monday we start the spanish course(there hasnt been space until then), and might go to a football game. We are kind of ready to leave the city and get back to the small towns. BA is great but, we are a little dissapointed. So many people talked it up so much, we were expecting a little more. But we are still managing to have a great time as always!
PS-don't worry about us because of the protests. we are staying away from the area it happened. its all good!!!
November 2, 2005
Happy Belated Halloween!
So Monday we spent the day wandering the center of BA. We went to the opera house here, which is one of the best in the world, but were dissappointed to find out that the tours were cancelled for good. Saw the palace where Evita stood on the balcony and spoke to the crowds. There was supposed to be a party at the hostel for Halloween, but it turned out to be pretty lame. Bobbing for apples. So the Canadian girls had to get the party started with some drinking games. Managed to get a few people out and went to an english pub, and stayed out till the wee hours of the morning. Needless to say the next day was a total write off. Went for dinner and had a wicked thai curry. Yum, finally some food with flavour!
Today we are going to an area called La Boca, a very colourful part of town. Should see some more tango in the streets. It's beautiful and sunny today, so it should be nice. Also going for half priced movies tonight. Havent seen a movie since we left Canada. A nice relaxing evening.
So thats all for now....more later!
Cheers
Today we are going to an area called La Boca, a very colourful part of town. Should see some more tango in the streets. It's beautiful and sunny today, so it should be nice. Also going for half priced movies tonight. Havent seen a movie since we left Canada. A nice relaxing evening.
So thats all for now....more later!
Cheers
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