Leaving Bariloche

Okay, so it never really stopped raining in Bariloche but the clouds did part now and then. We took a local bus partly around the lake and then rode a chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario for some nice views of the snow capped mountains to the West and the series of lakes, islets, and wooded peninsulas to the East.

Yesterday, we braved the drizzle and hiked up 1400 meters from the center of town to the top of Cerro Otto for more views and to get some exercise (which was badly needed after multiple steak and beer dinners).

Dan hiking up Cerro Otto

We stopped at another cool mountain hut (a.k.a. Refugio) on the way and had some hot tea next to the fire while talking to some older German ladies who took the gondola up and were hiking down (hmmm, that did sound like an easier way to do it). Again, our efforts were rewarded with fantastic views of the scenery (between passsing cloud banks anyway). Speaking of steak dinners, I think we set a new record. 13 Pesos ($4.33) for a LARGE fillet mignon the size of two in the States. So that´s like $2 and change for a top notch steak - and heck you might as well order two at that price!

Today was supposed to be our flight to El Calafate but, alas, there is an airline strike which apparantly could go on indefinately. We finally decided to agree to take the 20 hour bus ride down Route 40 (the Argentinian version of Route 66) to our destination. Yes, that´s right, a 20 hour bus ride! It leaves in a couple hours so now, we just killing time till "take off". It was mass confusion at the airport and a weird looking Russian dude named Igor latched on to us as he spoke no Spanish and only a very little English so we helped him understand the situation and the options (wait forever in Bariloche for the strike to end and hope to get on another plane, or buck up and take the super long bus ride). On the taxi ride back into town from the airport, Doug taught the cab driver the meaning of the phrase, "That´s Bullshit!". We got a voucher for a free dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from the airline office and Igor joined us for that as well. It was fun watching him try to read the menu which was in Italian with Spanish subtext and order in broken English with a thick Russian accent. We´ll I guess I´m not the worse one off here!

Will write again once safe and sound in El Calafate.