lunes, 26 de marzo de 2007

From R&R to A&A


Vista desde el Cerro Otto
Originally uploaded by Juanma Infante.
The tranquility I experienced in San Martin de los Andes has metamorphosed into a weekend of action and adventure in Patagonian party capital, San Carlos de Bariloche. Set on the side of a huge, sparkling blue lake, surrounded by mountains and a few miles away from one of Argentina´s best ski resorts, Bariloche is a top destination for travellers and the streets are buzzing with bars, restaurants, clubs and English people with backpacks.

I have spent three nights at a hostel which describes itself as ´Bariloche´s party hostel´ and so far it has definitely lived up to the name. For a start, it´s pointless to even try and speak Spanish here, as the place is full of English, Americans, Irish, Israelis and all the staff (and seemingly the entire town) speak perfect English. I´ve been out for the last three nights with my two English room mates Jon and Richard, getting to know Bariloche´s varied selection of Irish bars, drinking a shocking amount of Havana rum and not getting in until around 5ish.

But the days have not been without their excitement. In memory of early teenage years spent trotting around the Mendips, I booked an afternoon of horseriding in the mountains on Saturday. There were just six of us and the first couple of hours was spent slowly walking across the hills, gasping at the pretty scenery. Then, for the last half an hour, we were invited to attempt a gentle canter. My horse didn´t need telling twice and shot off across the mountain side, with me desperately clinging to the reins, my feet swinging wildly, having fallen out of the stirrups. I´m ashamed to say I screamed like a big girl in fear of falling off and being trampled but managed to cling on, although I´m bearing some pretty hefty bruises in some fairly intimate places from the experience.

Final night in Bariloche today before I venture into the Patagonian autumn towards glaciers near the end of the world.

3 comentarios:

Anónimo dijo...

A&A? Am I being dim, what does that mean?
EH x

Becky dijo...

ACTION AND ADVENTURE!!!

Anónimo dijo...

hey, what's the actual name of the 'part hostel' in Barilcohe? I'm heading there soon and want a great place to stay.
Thanks
Rob