Sunday, May 15, 2011

Music, Mountains, Meat Sweats, and Meditation

            Disclaimer: this internet connection at the eco yoga park is too slow to upload pics so this post is picture-less. If you only look at this for the pictures check back later, will have them up at some point. So it's been close to two months since the last blog. Lack of blogging has been due to being busy with visitors, laying at beaches, dancing at music festivals, trying to find peace and balance at "yoga camp," and not wanting to be stuck inside writing during this beautiful fall weather in South America. Will try and catch you all up on the last 7 weeks of my life: The main events have been broken down into "M" titled categories. Unfortunately Uruguay did not fit into any of these categories. We went there for 10 days after Puerto Iguazu. First to Punto del Diablo, a sleepy beach town,  and then to Colonia, a cobblestone street cute but touristy town. To sum up Uruguay in 2 words I would say it was tranquilo (calm) and chill.

MUSIC
        We took a ferry from Uruguay to Buenos Aires and bused from Buenos Aires across Argentina and into Santiago, Chile to go to Lollapalooza (a music fest). It was the first time South America has hosted Lollapallooza and so there were some kinks to be worked out (such as having everyone get their tickets at will call and then putting 10 people in charge of thousands of people getting their tickets, and using police on horses as security). However once we got in we had a blast. Lots of dancing to great music: flaming lips, edward sharpe, cold war kids, ghostland observatory, kanye, were some of my favorites. Another personal favorite at the fest: dulce de leche filled churros. Definitely worth the long bus ride to get there.
          While in Santiago I emailed a sweet Chilean girl named Mara we had met in a hostel in Cusco to ask for suggestions on places to go. She was so kind and invited all 5 of us to her house to eat typical Chilean food. I was just so inspired by her kindness to have 5 people into her home 4 of whom she had only met briefly months ago. We ate pastel de choclo, which was like a cream corn casserole with meat in it, it was delicious. Then she took us on a tour of the city-very greatful that she took the time to show a bunch of gringos around her city. Continually wowed by the kindness of the people here.

MOUNTAINS
     After being in the big city for a week we were all anxious to get to the glorious lake district in Argentina. It's the northern boundary of Patagonia and it is one of the most beautiful places Ive ever seen (I know I say that a lot in this blog but its right up there with Iguazu Falls and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia). We went to Bariloche first, the biggest city in the lake district, known for its chocololate. Celebrated Brigids birthday at a nice restaurant where we ate two pots of fondue (one cheese one chocolate) and I ate the best steak of my life (see meat sweats section for more on steak in Argentina). Went on two beautiful day hikes one was 30 min straight up a hill that ended with a gorgeous view of the 7 lakes.
     After Bariloche we took a two hour bus south to El Bolson, a smaller city in the lakes district famous for its hippie craft fair. We found a hostel that had a wall of windows that overlooked the mountains, one of our mornings there was the first snow of the season and we could lay in bed and see the mountains covered with snow. We did some more relaxing, looking at mountains and shopping at the fair.

MEAT SWEATS
      This title is inspired by the slight sweat on your brow that you get after you have over indulged on steak./ Am not too proud to say that this happened to me more than once in Buenos Aires. I was very lucky and greatful to have my time in Buenos Aires filled with visitors from the states. To be continued......

MEDITATION (to be continued)

2 comments:

  1. I loved reading about all your M categories. I just wanted to tell you that I don't think I've ever had meat sweats. You must have gotten that from Dad's side of the family! :) So glad you updated your blog. Looking forward to hearing about more about Meat Sweats and Meditation. Enjoy your last seven weeks! Love you and miss you - Mom

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  2. Dave and I spent the night at your house last night, and so your mom and I read your post together this morning. :) I've never had (or heard of) meat sweats either... must be a Malone thing. (Am I the only one who thinks it sounds kinda dirty?) Anyway...
    It was fun to read your update. 'Looking forward to the next installments and the pics.
    Also, your mom shared the yummy cookies (with dulce de leche filling) you sent. Delicious! Thanks.
    'Can't wait to see you (and maybe swim and drink mojitos?) in July!
    Much much love,
    Ellen

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