El Bolson – hippy town
Day 62, Sat Oct 30 El Bolson
The two hour bus ride that passed by very quickly! It had nothign to do with the rattling bus, but the views! Lakes and snow capped mountains, a feast for any eyes! I had taken out a book to read but didnt get through even a page after we left town!
El Bolson is a small town set in a picture-book setting, surrounded by mountains on all sides! The town is famous for the folks who live just outside town, making crafts and (organic) food, without the use of machines. The street fair on Saturdays draws tourists from all over. The street fair is in the main plaza, in a lovely setting. I sample vegetable empanadas and chocolate and am stuffed before I know it!
Head then to Cerro Amigo for panoramic views of the town.
I stay in a hostel run by a couple who are extremely welcoming and while they speak no English, it is no hardship having a conversation. Their son shared a flat with an Indian in Italy and they also have questions about India. They inform me that there is a big Hindu community living just outside El Bolson.
My room-mate is a Russian who lives in Finland. He is pursuing his MS in Civil Engg. After a year in college in Buenos Aires, he got on his bike to explore Argentina. Took him 4.5 hours to ride from Bariloche to El Bolson, 130-odd kms!
Our hosts are amused by the combination of foreigners at his table and regale us with stories about some of the stranger tourists he had to deal with in his time running La Camorra.
Day 63, Sun Oct 31 El Bolson
My room-mate joins me for a 5 hour walk to Cabeza del Indio (yes, it didnt escape me that I should go seeking an Indian´s head when I could look into the mirror, ha ha – it is easy enough to make jokes when nobody can groan at them!) and Cascada Escondido. Another lovely day, which ends in a sumptuous meal cooked by Yevgeny and yours truly (well, I followed his directions). At the cost of 35 pesos, we have a lovely meal, with a lovely bottle of red wine. Dessert is a melon! A nice end to a nice day!
Day 64, Mon Nov 1 El Bolson
I had meant to wake up early to go hiking to El Cajon del Azul, which is a 10 hour hike. Sadly, a bad night’s sleep means that I wake up too late for the bus. I am extremely disappointed. After saying goodbye to Yevgeny, it is off to Lake Puelo for me. The best day I have had in the lake district so far, it is sunny and about 25 deg C.
The views are again fantastic. I think I might get used to such stunning surroundings soon and take them for granted. There is a hint of Washington in the scenery in the Lake District! Or maybe it is wishful thinking.
I get home after a 4 hour hike to the Lago and Passarella sobre Lago Azul.
Tags: Travel
Damu