Time to harvest

Bariloche is an amazing place. No wonder that the rich and famous from around the world picked this place as their wintersport retreat. The Dutch royal family and Rambo own nice cottages somewhere here in the mountains. This luxurious ski resort is a true Swiss look-a-like. It has it all, from the St. Bernhardt dogs in the market square to the gazillion chocolate shops in the souvenir flooded streets downtown. Although the chocolate is produced in the factories near town, they tend to give it an Alpine marketing twist to it. This country truly does feel like Western Europe sometimes.

After the intense rafting experience with the wolfpack from the hostel, the pack was extended to a grand total of 15 persons for an all-day mountainbiking tour through the stunning countryside of Bariloche. This place is not only a heaven for skiing enthousiasts, it is a Walhalla for virtually any kind of outdoor activity. No wonder the Argentinian jetset and highflyers from around the world spend their precious time here. The sweaty adrenaline pumped and testosterone filled wolfpack was denied entrance to the famous Llao Llao Hotel after claiming victory to the bouncer at the parking lot and demanding our grand prize by means of icecold expensive beer at the hotel bar. What a surprise we didn’t get in…

The travelling population in South America is very interesting. Ofcourse you will see Dutchmen and Germans in basically every rabbithole you visit. The Swiss and Brittains are well represented everywhere. In every town you’ll find one non-stereotypical-but-still-typical adventurous US citizen (can’t call’em Americans, because the people in South America are technically Americans too) – complete with white socks, New Balance shoes and shirt tucked into pants. We call’em special.
Nothing unusual so far. Enter Israël. The majority of travellers I’ve come across so far are from the Promised Land. After just one small conversation it becomes crystal clear why. Israelites are obliged to serve their country for three years after graduating from high school (aged 18). So after three years of war most (or all) will travel for at least three months to leave it all behind. And believe you me, most Israelites I’ve spoken to have been in more than one war during their short time on Earth. Akward for all the pretty and rich European boys to be talking to veterans of war about their and our lives, while celebrating youth and freedom.

Females in Israel have to serve for two years and some decide to stay after that period for the army offers challenging opportunities for all. Beautiful and awesome civil engineer Dana and I spent almost 2 days having conversations about Israel, Holland, civil engineering, tolerance and diamonds, as we were forced to stay indoors by the continous rain and snow in our pittoresque holiday village. Despite the awful weather (we both kind of liked it though), the hours spent in all the restaurants, chocolate shops and other leaking venues were amazing.

Crazy how some days, for example at work, go by like any other without notice, but some days deliver such a profound experience compressed in such a small timeframe, that they will be vividly remembered until the end of days. You get the picture…

Tagged as: bariloche, mountainbike, rafting, wine