Last weekend we went to Bariloche, Argentina- aka the chocolate capital of South America supposably. The bus ride was gorgeous and we cut through a pass in the Andes with beautiful rocks, trees, lakes and more. The first day we got there the hostals and hotels were almost completely full so we spent a while trying to find a place to stay. Then we explored the area at night and it's gorgeous (while also had the most disgusting whine that we think might've started turning to vinegar it was so bad--consequences of going cheap). The city is right on the lake and the color of the water is remarkable.The first day there was Kate, Adrian, and I who went around the town and played tourist while getting hit with downpours which was quite hilarious. We got delicious ice cream and I invested in some sweet checkered $5 shoes. What else.... the Argentines are very nice and everyone is gorgeous! There were backpackers every directions so it was fun to chat with them. While we were shopping the others went fishing and then the next day there was some more fishing :) and then at night we watched some quality Spanish movies, went to an all you can eat buffet. Dr. Perry was extremely nice and paid for our dinner, and then we just hung out that night.
The next morning everyone split their own directions. Allison and I went for a 9 milerish up to some lake and special forests. The intro part of the trail had this bamboo brush that arched over the path and hung down so the first miles were spent walking like hunchbacks and hilarious. It was a great day for learning Spanish voacb as well. Then we made a mad dash for the bus. Before the craziness of the night we took naps and got some awesome video of me talking in my sleep, that I'm sure will be blackmail for the rest of my life. Then that night we had quality bonding time, cooked a fantastic meal for the first time in amonth, had some delicious mixes, played an epic game of 13 and other games, had sink experiences, and attempted to find a discoteca--which nonetheless ended in a phenomenal night but no discoteca persay.Monday morning we were supposed to have been back in Valdivia but sadly couldn't get any return tickets until Tue morning; absolutely no complaints (besides school was a ridiculous hard week but well worht it). So Monday we were going to get an early start but got delayed by our night's adventures so everyone slept in besides Mitchell and I. After a trip to the stores and a hearty breakfast some people got moving while people also napped all day. Allison, Mitchell, Maddy, and I hit the town to get some last minute souvenirs and chocolate. We couldn't make the chairlift ride because we'd slept in late and had to meet the Perrys to check in for the next day. Then we had another great night and dinner... where the next morning we got up in the am and caught our bus home.
NOW back in CHile... last last Wed was Bryan's birthday and we had a nice bq at their family's house that Mitchell expertly cooked on the rolly grill (technical wording I know) which was all really fun. Then Mitchell and I met up with Dr. Perry and met our guy for our internship Juan Carlos and he was super nice. [And fun fact he also lived with Fernando when he was going to school here at this university]. Last last Friday we had our final and then went out to celebrate the end of the class and Bryan's bday. We tried finding a karaoke bar but it was packed and a sit down so we ended up at a dancing pub....A GREAT night where we met some cool Chilean friends (After my morning run 2 days later my legs were still ready to give out to the point where Kate got a good laugh at my knee collapsing while I was walking down the street).
Two Saturdays ago Dan Edge, his wife Sally, and daughter Annie came into Valdivia after hitting Peru and we all went to a barbecue. After the lunch we tried catching up on sleep for like 4 hours and then rolled out that night to go meet up with friends from the night before. There was a huge outdoor concert going on in Valdivia where there were bands that were judged-like battle of the bands, but not quite. Saw the town some from the guys' perspective and then went and watched the soccer game Chile vs USA. Represented the States while in the pub and the guys all cheered against us. I was betting on USA to win and with the tie both sides have to recipricate on their sides of the deal sometime soon (all the girls are bailing out saying they never made any bets though-lamos). Cool fact is that the bicycle move is actually called tejeras here (scissors in english).
Two Sundays ago we went and explored a beach--what I just found out was Playa Rosada maybe- but we just rode the bus for 25 minutes until we found a beach we liked with this gorgeous little waterfall. It was a toasty 85 degrees and we all got our tan on, played some baseball, and had a lot of fun chilling while watching some people rock climb and play cuencha (unsure how to spell). And we all dove into the cold South Pacific for the first time!
And now we're almost caught up for the week before this last week and a half (I bet you love me confusing you right now). I love my fishery and wildlife class--we have a midterm tomorrow morning so I really have to study but I'll finish this blog first.
Last week we went to the Island Mancera- which had a "gnar gnar" fort. Allison, Kate, and I got a kick out of trying to find the local beach on the other side of the island. Then the rest of the crew came later in the day and we all hung out on the beach while we did our homework. Then we did more stuff around town, in the parks, and homework and studying for tests. Now to last weekend (almost done!!!). One word, Bierfest!!! It was a grand old time that we went to on Thursday for the first night and that lasted till Saturday. Thurs night was hilarious and we almost got a flag out of the night (I was determined to have a banner of Bierfest in my apartment back in OR).
After Bierfest closed we went to a Karaoke bar and there more blackmail video that Kate has of me singing and Adrian dancing to Tina Turner's What's Love Got to Do With It....enough said.
But all in all a great weekend. Then I got sick and I'm in recovery before this week WHERE.... Tomorrow we're going to bus up to Temuco to watch the soccer game Colo-Colo vs La Universidad de Chile--which is the biggest rivals for pro teams in Chile. We're in the cheap rowdy part of the stands and were instructed to cheer for U of Chile if we want to live so we went and got their colors. I'm SOOOO stoked! Then life gets even better. Thursday morning we get back from the game and bus then fly to Coyhaique in Patagonia for an EPIC week where we get back on Tuesday. (There were so many capitalized letters in this paragraph but all of them needed).
Thus I'm very excited for this coming week, loving my life, and really do need to study for my test tomorrow morning. So wooooooohhhh longest blog of my life, I hope everyone is doing well. Love you!!
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