I just returned from my spring break trip down south to Patagonia! It was a great trip even if I spent a little more money than I expected to I traveled with my friend Rachel who takes classes with the same program I do here in Cordoba. She is from Texas and goes the the University of Texas in Austin of which she is very proud! She studies pre-law and hopes to be a judge someday in the future.

We headed out Saturday in bus and arrived in Puerto Madryn Sunday morning. We headed to the hostel and to find out that the lady who runs the place is one of the sweetest ladies ever. Sheshowed us all the different tours offered and helped us decide which ones we wanted to do and on which days, etc. Sunday we just wandered around town, walked the beach, and explored some local restaurants. Monday we were up early to go get our wet suits on as we went snorkling with sea lions. We got to touch them and hug them and swim with them. After that we went scubba diving with the oxygen tank and everything. It was amazingly beautiful at the bottom of the ocean. I was only down for a few minutes but loved every minute of it and wished I could have just sat there and watched the fish for hours…eventhough I would have been a little cold after awhile. we had suits but we could still feel the cold a little. Tuesday we went on a tour of Peninsula Veldes where we got to see penguins up close, elephant seals and there new born pups (I actually saw one with the embilical cord still attached that’s how young it was), and of course whales! We weren’t going to go on the whale watching boat because we could see whales from the shore and we were trying to save money where we could but in the end decided to go because why would you go to Puerto Madryn and NOT go whale watching? I am glad we did. One whale kept her tale up in the air for a good 5 minutes so we could take pictures…actually I learned that only female whales that are pregnant or nursing hold their tales in the air. It is not known why this is but I guess it is according to our guide. We also saw many other whales very very close to the boat. We leaft that night for Bariloche.

We arrived in Bariloche on Wednesday and when we got to our hostel a group of some of our friends who had stayed the same hostel where just heading out so we had lunch with them and they gave us the run down of things to do in our time there. The chocolate is a must…we just walked around to different stores and sampled the chocolate of the day. It was quite yummy! Our hostel had a great commons room and kitchen so to save money we cooked in the hostel everynight and just hung out with the people there. We met folks from Australia, Germany, England, Austria, and other places I am sure. We didn’t get to practice our Spanish as much there since everyone spoke English but it was great meeting so many people with interesting stories and lives. Some of them are traveling from between 2 weeks and 12 months! Thursday we went hiking in a nearby park. I ate lunch and took a nap on a mountain in the Andes with a beautiful view. It was one of the most relaxing, refreshing, worry-free days I have had in a long time! Friday we vsited a hill/mountain with a great view. It has a ski lift chair type system to take you up and down but again to save money we decided to hike up on the trail…needless to say we payed to get back down. It was practically a straight shot up the mountain and I was hurting by the end that is for sure! BUT the view was worth it! It was SSSOOO beautiful…I can’t even describe it. I could not stop thinking about my Colorado mountains and home. I was not sad but I just felt closer to home and comfortable. I would have to say that if I could live anywhere or at least return to any place in Argentina, Baroliche would be my top choice at this point. The town is located on the shore of this HUGE lake and there are mountains in every direction. I just love it!

And now I am back in Cordoba. I need to get started on the homework and all that jazz but thought I would update you all on my most recent traveling. I am half way done with my time here which is good and bad. I love it here but miss everyone back home too. I know that the first 3 months went ery fast so I won’t wish the last three away too quickly. There are still many adventures to come I am sure! I’m sending love and hugs to you all!