Happy Valentine's Day!
I know it was yesterday and I'm really supposed to work on my thesis but this one will be short.
On our last full day in Bariloche, January 3rd, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Some of you may know that our actual anniversary is October 16, but Paul was in Chile at the time so, no celebration.
A tradition of our's is to celebrate our anniversaries according to the traditional gifts you are supposed to exchange. However, gifts are hard and boring, so we do experiences instead. For example,
last year the gift was cotton so we went to the circus for cotton candy.
This year it's leather. Before you click off, understand we went horseback riding. A lot of leather is involved in that so, I promise, nothing weird is about to happen.
We signed up for a whole day of riding the Pampas (grasslands) with Cabalgatas Hanek. They are a small family business that is situated right in the national park Nahuel Huapi. We were picked up that morning by the daughter, met the mother and father and soon headed out on the prairie so to speak with the son.
Bonding with horses...that one isn't mine, but he's pretty...like my chaps?
Haha, I'm leaving this as is.
1 hour to get to the top of a ridge. Our butts were sore.
At the summit with horses and doggies
Meet Paul's horse Petey...they make a hilarious duo
Me getting back on Chacai
Happy anniversary to us!
This is when Paul gets a handle on his uncomfortableness and makes nice pictures again
The little cattle dog is super cute and her name is Antonia. The dogs looked so happy. They joined us on the trail and chased rabbits. Pretty much dog heaven.
After a long 2 hour ride, the father grilled some meats Argentinian style and we had a hearty lunch with our hosts. It was just the two of us on the ride and it was very relaxing. Our hosts were gracious and kind to us in every way. The father's family is originally from Germany and the moved generations ago to Argentina. They were excited to learn that I was half German.
Then, it was time for another 2 hour ride and this was probably one of the more beautiful rides. Unfortunately, we left the camera at the place because we were nervous about bringing it along. But we still got some great photos around the farm.
Antonia. So happy.
Petey's plotting his moment to get Paul out of the saddle
Chacai
Leather
When we returned, we enjoyed mate with our hosts. Mate is very Argentinian and it's a strong green tea. You drink it out of a special cup with a special straw and it is shared by everyone. This is a social moment for many. You drink one cup of mate out of the cup and then pass it to the next person who drinks a cup and so on.
Cakes and fried dough treats that were AMAZING
Me drinking mate with our hosts. He was adorable.
Paul trying it out.
Happy Anniversary to us! Next year is fruits and flowers, so I wonder what Paul's gonna plan :).
