We are in San Martin de los Andes, which is the prettiest place we've been so far. Whoever called Bariloche the Switzerland of Argentina, hasn't been here. Everything here looks like it was ported directly from the Alps. Beautiful buildings, trees, flowers, everything. Very quiet, yet busy. Super weather as well. Did a couple of hikes yesterday and today, but only about three hours each. Got lost on one of them. The rest of the time was sightseeing or sitting at the beach or in our (beautiful) hotel.
We're about ten minutes outside of town, and up a hillside. Great views from everywhere in the place. Huge room, fantastic sitting areas. It's called Casona Delalto. Highly recommended, but you must have a car.
I found rice on the menu where we had lunch today, but I wanted a steak, and they wouldn't let me have rice with steak. It had to be potatoes. The guy must have been the Rice Nazi. "No rice for you!" So, still no rice. Lunch was good today. A break from the ham and cheese sandwiches that you get in every lunch box when you're hiking. Actually, yesterday we almost had pastrami and cheese wraps for lunch. Why almost? Here's another Gord Hiking Tip: When you stop to picnic in an area clearly marked "precaución área chaqueta amarilla !", which means "caution yellow jacket area !", it might be a good idea not to unwrap your cheese and lunch meat there. Unless, of course you want to be surrounded by every hungry yellow jacket for miles around.
This little Chevy is turning out to be not such a bad car after all. Lots of zip, and it handles the gravel roads well. Most of the cars here are Fiats, Renaults and Peugeots, with the odd Volkswagen thrown in. Must be the European influence. I'm guessing this is where most of the Germans that fled after WWII ended up.
There are no barbers in Argentina. Who knew? Men get their hair cut in women's hair salons or cut it themselves.
At the Copa, Copacabana - just listening to a little Manilow on Direct TV. Did I mention that I am loving not having any traffic controls? No lights, no stop signs, nada. Everyone just pays attention and is courteous. Slow down, and if no one is coming, then go. And pedestrians always have the right of way.
Back to Bariloche tomorrow.
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