Dulce, Dulce Argentina

We began our Argentinian journey in Buenos Aires during the peak of summer. The sky was clear blue and the sun scorched the city roads and sidewalks. Pride for Argentina was throughout the city, and pictures of the World Cup team champions, especially Lionel Messi, were everywhere. We explored the historical sites of the city, noting that most residents are of European descent, lacking the African and indigenous population that Brazil had. As we walked, I was struck by the number of books being sold on the street. In addition to street book sellers, we visited the most unique and beautiful bookshop that is in an old theater.

We also went to the balcony of the Casa Rosada where Evita, the famous First Lady of Juan Domingo Peron, gave a famous speech that has been immortalized by the song, “Don’t cry for me, Argentina.” In front of that building was the Plaza del Mayo, where mothers came together in 1977 to protest the harsh military regime’s human rights violations and the disappearance of their children.

Argentina is known for its meat, and wow, were we in for a surprise. We went to a delicious restaurant in the city and enjoyed amazing steak, but the highlight was when our newfound friends Eugenio & Beatriz (who we met in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest) invited us over to their house for an authentic asado experience. They explained that Argentinian meat is so delicious and tender because the animals ate grass and enjoyed life in the countryside.

As if that were not enough, Argentina is also known for its Malbec wine. The Mendoza region of the country is well-known for its vineyards. We could buy a bottle for a few dollars that was the smoothest, buttery glass of wine I’ve ever tasted. Some had subtle notes of plum and chocolate.

Dulce de leche is also a staple in Argentina. We found it in tubs at the grocery store and learned that some prefer to eat it alone with a spoon. We tried a shortbread cookie sandwiches called alfajores. We also had dulce de leche ice cream.

After enjoying the European beauty of Buenos Aires, we traveled to two small towns in Patagonia, a large region that encompasses the southern part of South America, both in Chile and Argentina.

The first town we visited was El Chalten, a tiny town nestled in the Andes mountains. We were there for 3 days and we went on 4 hikes; I tried to make the most of every minute we had in that magical town. Along the sidewalks were lavender bushes covered in bumble bees. The air was chilly and crisp because of the high altitude, and there were mountains in every direction. One of my favorite hikes was Laguna de Los Tres, which took us to an astounding overlook of the famous Fitz Roy peak. The combination of sunshine, refreshing air, cool temperatures, lavender everywhere, gorgeous views, and so many hikes nearby made this my paradise.

The second town we visited in Patagonia was El Calafate, which is close to the Perito Moreno glacier. We were able to put on hard hats and cramp ons and hike on the glacier, which is 19 miles long and 3 miles wide. We learned that glacier ice is much more compressed than the ice cubes in a freezer. We were able to hike past small and large crevasses. Glaciers are always moving, and we were able to witness larges shards of the glacier falling into the river. While hiking on the glacier, I was able to fill up an empty bottle with ice-cold, fresh water.

The day after our hike on the glacier, we flew to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador to continue our adventures.