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Bariloche 15.03. - 26.03.11
After a three hour bus journey from EL BOLSON I arrived at the bus terminal in BARILOCHE at 8pm. From there I took a taxi to the "Hostel San Antonia" where I checked in for three nights. The hostel was so empty that I had the dorm for myself for the entire three nights.
The following few days I felt quite sick and my back was very sore as well. I asked "Pablo" from the reception if he could recommend me a Chiropractor. On the second day part of my tooth broke and therefore I also had to find a dentist. So the following two days I spent more time at the Chiropractor and the Dentist then actually doing some sightseeing in the city.
BARILOCHE is Argentinians LAKE DISTRICT'S largest city and it's located on the shores of the beautiful and big lake "Lago Nahuel Huapi". Bariloche has a population of approx. 100.000 inhabitants. Bariloche is a real touristy city and along the main street you can find loads of souvenir stores and chocolate shops but the real attractions lie outside the city….the "Parque National Nahuel Huapi" where you can go trekking, rafting, mountain biking, horse riding etc.
After three nights at the hostel I decided to move to Claire another Couchsurfer. Claire lives with her gorgeous and nice daughter Luna just outside of town in the nice village of "Los Coihues". Claire is originally from Bristol in the UK and is now divorced with an Argentinian guy. On Thursday, 17.03.11 she picked me up from the hostel and drove me straight to her nice "cabana" (wooden house) in the mountains.
When I arrived at her house I still didn't feel well. I had a kind of tummy bug which I couldn't get rid of and I didn't really know what it was. My plan was to go hiking in the National Park NAHUEL HUAPI and hike up to the Refugio Lago Negro where a "Full Moon Party" was held at the weekend. But I just felt too weak to even think about it and therefore I slept a lot for the first four days.
Claire and me went on very well and had great and long conversations with nice dinners in her beautiful cabana. After four days I met her lovely daughter Luna who could speak both languages very well with her 5 years. Que impressionante!!
One night Claire took me to her "SPANGLISH CLASSES" into town where I met lots of her international friends….e.g. the Author Emilio, the surfer Fernando, the Ski Instructor and Artist Gerado, her best friend Cecilia from Argentina and Andy and Olli from the UK.
After a few days of just relaxing, sleeping and catching up with her friends she invited me to stay for her 40th Birthday. I happily accepted her offer and the following days I helped her with the cleaning and organising of the party.
On Monday, 21.03.11 I caught up with Omar (Ex-colleague from the Lodge "La Confluencia") in the city centre. It was soooo nice to see him again. Unfortunately I had an appointment at the Chiropractor and therefore we only had an hour to chat.
During my stay at Claire's, we received a "Warmshower" person. "Warmshowers" is the equivalent to "Couchsurfers" and is a website for people who travel by bike! So we had the pleasure to meet Daniel from France who stayed with Claire for two nights. Daniel is travelling around the word by bike for the last three years and it was very interesting to listen to his stories.
As I only had two more weeks on my VISA for Argentina I was planning to do a "Spanish Course" in Bariloche. Claire was very kind and helped me finding a private teacher. Unfortunately the Spanish Teacher who was offering me Spanish Classes for 40 Pesos per hour cancelled on the last minute. Even though that I was offered a private "cabana" from Paulina and her boyfriend and I found another but more expensive teacher, I was very confused and didn't know what to do.
On Thursday, 24.03.11 we finally celebrated Claire's birthday. Claire invited about 40 guests, national and international. Even her two sisters Rachel and Nicola from the UK flew over and stayed with her for 10 days. The party was absolutely brilliant and we ate and danced until 4.30am the other morning. I really enjoyed the dancing and the nice company of her friends!!
The day after the party I was still very unsettled and didn't know if I should stay or not!!! BUT…as I didn't really have a place to stay apart from an expensive hostel, I finally decided to leave BARILOCHE and continue with my travels.
Thank you very much Claire for the fantastic nine days at your beautiful "cabana". I really enjoyed the time with you and your daughter Luna!
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