Planned & Unplanned

Planned, Bariloche (3/11)
The morning is spent asking questions, exploring town, and comparing prices of lake front accomodations. The chosen hub -- Hostal Patanuk. Selling points -- large windows that boast views of the lake, a backyard with a direct route to a grassy area and pebble strewn lake shore, free wifi and airport pickup, and an in-house doggy.

Bariloche, the Argentine city nestled by the Andes and a network of Lakes and meadows, is often referred as the Swiss of the South. In sequence with that reputation, the town is stuffed with Chocolatiers, and shops lined with Saint Bernard stuffed animals.



The afternoon is spent making plans -- bike ride reservations in Nahuel Huapi National Park, bus ticket prices to Pucon, and chocolate fondue.

Everything is prepared and outlined in anticipation of my Big Sister´s arrival :D!



Unplanned, Bariloche (3/13)
This was not how I anticipated our reunion. A stranger greeting her when she got off the plane, holding a sign with her sorta-name on it, ¨Aine¨, the front desk lady at Hostel Patanuk explaining that she's really sick, and me in a dark room fever burning and cold sweat.

At this point plans went out the window. All that mattered was the reunion.



Planned (3/14)
Bitter, sweet, and soft, room temperature and unpasturized = bad cheese.
Remedy to food poisoning = eat better food.

This we did..










Unplanned (3/14)
The 8th Cumbre Mundial de Tango is happening in town. Tonight is its last night. Beneath colored lights an orchestra plays. The audience as passionate as the singers, cheer and clap their hands fiercely. Tango dancers fluid in their movements, their costumes bright and sequined.





At the moment.. “it’s all right, heyheyhey yeah” – the 60´s soul song is playing in the background, a candle is lit on small wooden table covered by red tye-dye table cloth. Warm lighting, a cup of coca tea with coca elixir and a plate of tapas – pickled zucchini, cucumber, and an olive oil & herb salsa. La Paz is diverse, rich in culture, though finding proper internet connection and plugs has been challenging. Now to transfer onto a pen drive.