The big trip: Random thoughts on Argentina and backpacking

I've been traveling for only 2 weeks now so I haven't gotten that feeling yet. I don't know what that feeling is supposed to be but I'm sure I'll know it when it comes. The feeling of total freedom? The feeling of enjoying every second of life? (I think I've managed to develop that pretty ok in the last 4 years.) The feeling that my Spanish rocks? (Not so much compared to the other backpackers who have studied it intensely for the past 4 months in Buenos Aires. I like to think if I did that too, I would be dazzling people left and right) The feeling that H.C Andersen made famous "To travel is to live"? The feeling that I don't need to know what's going to happen next (That's one's going to be a big challenge). The feeling of "discovering my true self" uh... at 39?

Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to it when it comes. If it does.

Coins in Argentina are like gold here. It's the only way to pay for the bus in Buenos Aires and at the supermarket, they always ask if you have a 50 centavo or a 1 peso piece. It's not something you want to give up so easily in case you need it yourself but if you don't give them what they want, they will shortchange you on your return money. The coins do go down to 5 centavos but they pretend they don't have them so the always round up in their favor.

Argentinan Spanish is hard enough with the differnet pronunciation og "y" to a soft "jh" and I've been told it only gets worse in Chile.

Bariloche apparantly looks like Switzerland with the log cabin types houses, chocolate shops on every corner and the existence of cheese fondue (oh yes, I'v found the chese fondue places pretty quickly) due to the Swiss immigrants of the late 19th century. It is a bit strange to come all the way to South America and get a Europen feeling (more so than the "European metropolitan feel" of Buenos Aires). But chocolate and cheese...I'm not complaining.

Hostel life can be fun. They arranged a pot luck dinner on Monday (it could easily have been Saturday with the party feeling they were trying to create). We had traditional French food, Argentinian pizza, Romanian style polenta and of course, Tina's brownies. With the lack of cocoa powder and the different chocolate as well as the tempermental oven they became "Bariloche brownies. " But they were a hit nonetheless.

Silvio/Mario/Nicolai from Romania

Argentina may be famous for its steaks but it IS the land of Dulce de Leche. It's everywere. Not only can you buy it pure, on it's own but it is also a strong persence in the local cookie/cake "Alfajor." Not to mention, a yogurt flavor and of course an inside gooey surpise in an otherwise crispy churro. It's like nougat or marzipan in Denmark.

There are a lot of homeless dogs in Bariloche. But despite my many hours of experince watching Animal Planet´s various animal rescue/animal cops shows, I am semi happy to report that these dogs are fat and freindly. The people here seem to care enough to feed them and be nice to them. Thus some adopt areas/shops as their own. They're not allowed inside but they do defende the property as if it was their own, at least from other homeless dogs. Sadly the people don't seem to care enough to bring the long-haired ones to the vet to get shaved and I can only hope that some people do catch what dogs they can and get them fixed, like people have been known to do in the states. I highly doubt it though.

We heard a modern song in the bus the other day but otherwise it's an 80s theme all throughout. Could be worse. Could be country.

A few days ago, I took the funicular up to the top of Cerro Otto, a view worthy of being a good competitor to Cerro Campanario. On the way up I had a nice couple from Buenos Aires with me to distract me from the death pod I had voluntarily stepped into. On the way dowm all I had was myself..and the video function on my new camera. Ok, the video does not want to upload. You're really missing out...