¿Tiene Paz?

I think I caught backpackers disease--- the desire to GO GO GO SEE SEE SEE DO DO DO
(not really triple times the normal desire, just trying the make a point via cyberspace.)
But I also know the answer.


il bel far niente.
the art of doing nothing.




(i love pictures because they help to display the story. feed our senses if you will. now the computer at this hostel is not allowing me to add pictures for whatever reason so... paint your own. use your imagination and fill in whatever blanks there may be with your own creativity)
...
NOW I´ve added some :)




Jan 25
Today we roamed the town and found a beach where there appeared to be more locals than tourists (always a good sign) and just laid. Laid looking at the hills, the clouds, the water, the people. And it was so nice. Adventure tours are wonderful and absolutely have their place but my favorite pass time is PEOPLE. Just being at one and delighting in the universe to provide the adventure for me (and often that cant be surpassed by a tour guide ;)


Once we had our fill of resting on the beach we wandered down a road. We walked and walked until we saw a big machine that intrigued us. What is that? We stepped closer to find that it was propelling what appeared to be a ski lift. I WANT TO TRY! So we stepped on up and paid 25 pesos (about 6 USD)  and jumped into the chair with no idea as to what would happen next...


A GLORIOUS VIEW overlooking the lake and the town of bariloche. No seat belts of course as we hung hundreds of feet above solid ground. We landed on a platform where we quickly jumped off before the chair knocked us off and followed the trail to a little cafe. THE best FRUIT SALAD ever! I´m not usually so excited about fruit but when ones diet is consisting mostly of pizza, pasta, ice cream and chocolate... (not complaining) some fresh fruit is good for the soul!


Then we wandered down into a magical forest. A whole garden devoted to the worship of GNOMES! They were everywhere in all sizes and each had a different fun fact about the life of these sweet short people with funky hats. My favorite part was a box where you wrote a wish and inserted it, only then to trust the gnomes would work night and day until it came true. I certainly hope so...

After that we continued down the path and realized the only way to get to the bottom was by TOBOGGANING! No snow, just a small piece of plastic with a "break" and down a big slide you go!

Best 6 dollars spent thus far. I think I´ll try the whole ¨let the world work it out approach¨a little more often. Who can top gnomes and big slides?


To continue along our delicious day we went back to our favorite pasta place in town and I kid you not I got the most incredible cannelloni pasta that was so pleasurable it must have been a cardinal sin to throw any away- so i didn't. I savored every last drop. Mmmm...

Our hostel is currently made up of a huge vibrant crowd of young travelers who want to have fun. So that night we went out to a club with free pizza and crazy drinks. Lemon Champ anyone? Lemon ice cream with Champagne...Wow. Pizza followed by drinks followed by dancing dancing and dancing. Not once did I feel in danger or did I have a stranger get too close for comfort. Our group in total was beautiful and diverse made up of 16 people from 16 to 41 years old to homelands of USA, Israel, Argentina and more. Great way to top off our final night in this incredible town.

One day I will return again.

PS; I have this great obsession with "luna" and today I met a dog named luna...


Jan 26
30 hour bus. Bariloche to El Calafate. One "meal" given to us and a never ending list of horrible American B-List movies. On the bright side... Argentina´s landscape is a never ending scene of green and snow and mountains and water and flowers and animals that soothes the mind into unknown dimensions and blesses the heart with peace.

Jan 27
Off the bus 2 hours later than expected we arrive in Calafate at 3pm.  This is trekking city and home to glacier Perito Moreno (the main attraction drawing more than 4,500 visitors a day.)

Today we wandered around town and they welcomed us with some delicious Ice Cream (always to be expected in Argentina) and stumbled across a vegetarian restaurant. God is good. And always has a great sense of humor. In EVERY town thus far we have just walked upon a restaurant for veggie people. Before I left the states almost daily people told me I´d never be able to make it as a vegetarian in the meat capital of the world. I'm still here and there are a number of restaurants devoted to keeping me that way ;)
A kind man serenaded us with his guitar and sweet lyrics. He invited us to another place that night to see him play more. We went and he smiled from ear to ear.  He is a traveling nomad type man. Playing his music, making some money and traveling again. I love the people I am meeting here. Such a thirst for life. Open to opportunity. Taking the risks. Being comfortable with the unknown and delighting in the simple pleasures that enter our daily world. 

Jan 28
Rise and Shine! We were up early and started our 11 hour adventure dedicated to  PERITO MORENO! This glacier is so special because of it´s relatively easy accessibility and it is larger than ALL of Buenos Aires. We watched in wonder as huge sheets of ice taller than a 25 foot building crashed into the water and sent these huge waves up in return.  The sound was shattering. The ice was so so so blue. And fortunately for me it was not that cold, perfect weather as we clamped on these big teeth to the bottom of our shoes and OFF WE WENT!

I walked on a glacier, went through a natural ice tunnel, ventured into a cave and topped it all off with a shot of whiskey. Well more like a sip or two I tried to keep down. My first taste of hard alcohol straight up and I was on a glacier! At least I waited for the "right time" ;) Maybe they states should adopt this tradition of celebration after a tour!
An all around amazing time.

While we have been getting our daily dosage of "piropos" (cat calls), honks, and looks today was a bit different. Two of the tour guides were very forward, tried different tactics and forgot the personal sense of boundaries. Nothing bad by any means, just entertaining to see these eco-tour guides who were once so interested in ice, turn around looking for some heat. I appreciated the confidence, kindness and restaurant recommendations. We said goodbye and departed on our ways. Buenas suerte mi amigos!

We ate at this funky hip cool restaurant with every color of the rainbow inside called "Pura Vida." Mmmm. There was a super cute family next to us with 2 ginger head high energy kids. We striked a conversation and it turns out they are from Washington DC and the father is a professor who is on sabbatical so... they up and moved to Buenos Aires for 8 months. We exchanged info and I might end up babysitting back in BA. I love they way things work out.

On our way back to the hostel we got a little nervous. There is this bridge "shortcut" into a dark side street that connects with our hostel. Just as we were approaching it a man was walking out of it and we weren´t sure which direction to go and literally that same second that we approached the corner of the block I heard a "KEY!" It was Marcos (one of the flirty guides). Perfect timing! Really. He asked us if we were going to meet him at the bar later and we politely declined. He offered us a ride, which we also politely declined. A Miracle as Katie and I like to refer to this moment. Just seeing him calmed my nerves and bought us enough time to allow the mysterious man to pass by. Safe and sound we returned to the hostel. 

I love this point where I´m at. It feels good to understand a little more how a backpackers life goes. Scratch that. It feels good to know how MY life as a backpacker goes. To each his own. Everything is different for all of us depending on the attitude, outlook and behaviors we bring to each situation. Life is one thing but the way we welcome it is where all the beautiful variations come into existence.

il bel far niente.