Into Patagonia

Day: 160

Blinking awake to a flashlight being shined up and down the isle my first thought was “Damn, and I still on this bus.” I realized I was and that we had just crossed into a new Argentine province so the bus was being checked out for contraband/suspicious thing. I quickly lost interest, closed my eyes, and returned to dreamland. The rest of the morning hours cycled through me sleeping, listening to music, starring aimlessly out the window and reading. When we finally arrived in Bariloche it was past 1pm, I stretched my legs, retrieved my bag from under the bus and set out on an adventure to find a place to sleep.

I grabbed a cab into the city center where my Lonely Planet listed all the hostels, and went to the one that sounded the best. It was, of course, full; as well as the next five within a few blocks of the city center. In fact I went to all the places listed in the Lonely Planet and everyone was full. By this point I had heard some rumors of a couple of newer, yet unknown hostels, so armed with vague directions I started walking. I wasn’t long before I found one but all they had available was a double which was 80 pesos ($27)a night. I told the girl that that would be fine (I was sick of walking around)and if anyone wandered in and wanted to share that I’d be more than welcoming. I was still standing at the desk about to get my key and in walks four Germans, three girls and a guy. In a combination of three or four languages Chris, the guy, and I decided to share one room and the ladies took the other.

After my bag vomited on the floor, I took a shower and sent my laundry to be cleaned. I went out with my new group of German friends to take a peak at the little town of Bariloche, see about some bus tickets for them and go out for another steak for dinner. So far nothing I have seen put has put this on par with Yosemite, someone overinflated the beauty of this place with that line. I figured as much, but was hopeful. I won’t lie though, it is still quite stunning, and when I can buy a filet mignon dinner with two bottles of wine for $13 it really sooths over any problems that might of arise.

One other bit of info just in case you might have been feeling bad for my 22 hour bus ride. The Germans just got off a 42 hour ride that involved three transfers, when they told me this I my heart went out to them.