Tiff's Notes
Well, we took the plane to Bariloche and were able to
see the Andes the whole way. I think we flew really
low as the mountains were right there. It was a
gorgeous flight. When we reached Bariloche the wind
was kicking up a storm and I promised that if we got
in I would take the bus from now on --but the bus to
Buenos aires is 24 hours across the desolate (really
desolate) Pampas so that is the end of that promise.
Actually a Cessna did crash-- nose first-- that day.
My eyes were closed tight as we landed as I was
praying and I missed seeing it beside the runway-- but
we ran into our nude skydiving friend from Australia
whoose plane landed ahead of ours and he saw it.
The meals in Argentina are ridiculous. They are huge.
I had a simple side of potatoes that was 6 potatoes
just for me. I'm sick of delicious thick, tender
steaks for a dollar. Today I just got a bowl of soup.
Our room is $5 apiece and restaurant meals are less
than $3 and it is enough for all day. Brad could live
here in the summer for lots less than airconditioning
for a few hours a day in the summer.
We took a wonderful two boat-two lake tour for about
$12. It was all day. The weather was gorgeous. One
lake was pure blue and the other was deep green. The
white snow capped mountains were all around.
Today its raining-so we went to the really wonderful
regional museum. It had all the birds and snall
animals from here displayed. In my next life I,m
going to be an Andean Condor. They live only in the
highest peaks and fly higher than any other bird in
the world--over 30,000 feet.
I learned a little about the Mapuche Indians from
around here. They were forced onto the desolate
Pampas by the Spaniards. They are still in the area
but I haven't learned much about them.
The spiritual beliefs of some of the Indians of this
area are so similar to many Judeo-Christian bible
stories--the creation stories, the flood, the saviour
returning with the gift of fire and revolation after 3
days and 3 nights in the wilderness. It is amazing
that the spiritual beliefs of mankind are so
universal--for me it gives veracity to it the shared
spirit of us all.
We are on our way on a flight to Buenos Aires
tomorrow.