Yes, that is really me posing with St. Bernards! I know people back home don't think I like animals (I love animals, just don't want to live with them and prefer to let them have their own space in the world, preferable in the wilderness or on a farm.) And I know some people will be shocked I did something so touristy as to pay someone to use my own camera and take my picture (it was actually three pictures for 10 pesos [about $3 US]) while I held her dogs, but that was the only way to do it and they were her dogs, after all. Evidently this is one of the known touristy things to do in Bariloche, sort of like having a picture in Miami while parrots perch on your arms and head!
Anyway, the sun has come out, as I said yesterday, and it is much more enjoyable in this mountain hamlet. As you can tell from the pictures, the views are incredible. Bariloche (formally San Carlos de Bariloche) is located in Argentina's Lake District on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi is one of Argentina's most visited national parks and occupies 750,000 hectares in mountainous southwestern Neuquen and western Rio Negro provinces. Lago Nahuel Huapi, a glacial remnant over 100 km long that covers more than 500 square km is the park's centerpiece. To the west of the lake a ridge of high peaks separates Argentina from Chile. The tallest is Monte Tronador, an extinct volcano that still lives up to its name (meaning "Thunderer") when blocks of ice tumble form its glaciers.
Bariloche is the main urban area in this region and nearest the park, so it is the main destination spot for tourists. It has a thriving ski industry with several resorts very nearby and is becoming known for other sorts of eco-adventure travel, such as whitewater rafting (not in the winter, of course), fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, paragliding, mountaineering and hiking (which the rest of the world seems to call "trekking.")
Other than the vistas of lake and mountains, the other set of photos attached to this post are of the Centro Civico. It has beautiful log-and-stone buildings designed by architect Ezequiel Bustillo surrounding a central plaza. The buildings house the municipal tourist office, one of the country's best museums, the Museo de la Patagonia, the city library, and other city offices. It is also the location the St. Bernards hang out.
Bariloche was officially founded in 1902, but did not really grow much until the southern branch of the railroad arrived in 1934 and, evidently, brought with it architect Bustillo. Bariloche is now known for its alpine architecture, which is given a Patagonian twist through the use of local hardwoods and unique stone construction. While it is a very quaint town. (It is so quaint and wild that the other day while I was walking in downtown, where all the shops and tourists are, I encountered some sort of hawk on the sidewalk. I don't know what type it was exactly, but it was brown and it was definitely a raptor!) At the same time it is becoming very commercialized, I assume in response to the tourists. Prices reflect that, and the type of shops and available goods reflect it as well. Even so, it is a pleasure to visit, a much more tranquil place than either Buenos Aires or Cordoba, and it is refreshing to my spirit.
To see more pictures of the lakes and mountains and of the Centro Civico, follow these links to the Kodak Gallery Albums. This link takes you to pictures of the lakes and mountains: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=6d2p4u6.9twp8xi2&x=0&y=-24b27v&localeid=en_US
This link takes you to pictures of the Centro Civico: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=6d2p4u6.cmszvhp6&x=0&y=-dihu24&localeid=en_US
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