After four great weeks in the mountains, it is finally time to go.  Things got off to a rocky start here with my skis.  But, with a little time, it all came right.  I just love the mountains.  I don’t know what it is about them.  But, I find them very soothing, tranquil.  So, even when I was dealing with the skis, I was still just happy to be in the milieu.

This is the longest I’ve stayed in one place since Quito and after 2-3 months of hopping around with great frequency, I was happy to nest for a little bit.  But, as time went on, the itch to move on started getting stronger and stronger.  I’m not sure where that’s coming from.  It’s not a reflection on Bariloche and skiing.  It’s probably just my need to keep exploring.  I think part of it too is knowing that I’m meeting up with my old friend and exchange sister, Kim, from New Zealand.  We’re going to travel together in Argentina for a few weeks.  Afterwards, I’ll be heading back to Buenos Aires to start school and to meet up with some old and new friends there.  So, I think a big part of my itch is social.  I wouldn’t say that I’m lonely, but I could definitely use some social stimulation again.

To end my tour in Bariloche, I went on a night expedition into the mountains. The tour consisted of some night 4x4ing, a dinner in a mountain cabin, a night hike and finally some playing in the snow. The company picked me up at about 9PM in an extended cab Land Rover Defender.  In total, we were about 10 people – 8 Brazilians and 1 Porteña (resident of Buenos Aires) and me.  We drove up to the mountain and left the asphalt behind for the snow and icy dirt road.

Once up top, we climbed out of the 4×4 and headed off on a 15-20 minute night hike on the snowy path.  At one point, we turned off our headlamps to enjoy the night view of the forest illuminated with the starlight.  The sky was brilliantly bright with the tall trees silhouetted against their light.  We finally reached the cabin and enjoyed a dinner of cream of pumpkin soup, a bacon-wrapped filet and pears with meringue crumbles for dessert.  But, the best part was saved for last when we went sledding from the cabin back to the 4×4.  We used these personal plastic sleds called, culipatins.  I, of course, slid down the ice out of control.  But, I didn’t care.  I was too busy laughing and enjoying and trying not to hit anyone on the way down. I got back to the hosteria at about 2AM ready for bed.

My final dilemma I had to work out was what to do with my skis.  After spending so much to get them here and regretting that decision, I decided to bite the bullet and sell my equipment.  The trade-off was spend more money to send the skis back so they could sit in storage for an undetermined amount of time before I use them again, or sell them and make a little money. I knew I wouldn’t get the value out of them. But, a gain of a few pesos seemed better than being out more dollars.  The instinct that took over during my garage sale in March took over again and I was finally rid of that albatross around my neck.

Now it’s off to travel inside Argentina a while and meet up with my friend Kim.  I have an all-night bus ride ahead of me.  But, the next two weeks will be very, very busy and I can’t wait.  First stop – Mendoza: wine country.

Originally Published September 2, 2007

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Tags: Argentina travel, career break travel, Jeff's Career Break Blog

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