A week in the Patagonia, Part I

This was the part of my study abroad experience that I was most excited about, and I was definitely not disappointed. I finally left Buenos Aires' crowded and lively streets to find myself surrounded by glimmering lakes and whitecapped mountains. The Andes, I have realized, were one of those countless wonders I had always wanted to see, yet never really thought I would. Yet here I was, oftentimes completely surrounded by just a fraction of the longest mountain range in the world.
Immediately after the most comfortable 22 hour bus ride imaginable, we spent 2 nights in an indigenous village called Chiquilihuin, living with the Mapuche in their homes. I was surrounded by animals, rocks, and the constant smell of wood smoke (which I already miss having arrived back in Buenos Aires). In the distance were the Andes, and the natural skyline was dominated by the Volcán Lanín, a volcano bordering Argentina and Chile. I was constantly telling people here that this was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.
In this community, and many like it, I found a lot of differences. For example, there is no private property within the community. Nobody can sell their land, nor do individuals claim ownership to it. To some extent there are boundaries to keep one family's animals from eating the vegetation that another family's animals already inhabit, but private property as we know it ceases to exist here. Yet, there were a number of surprises, too. For example, the presence of cable television--something I don't even have at my house--was common in many homes. I found myself sitting at the dinner table or warming myself by the wood stove while watching the Mexican Telanovela Mentir para Vivir ("Lie to Live").
The food here was the best I've had yet in this whole country. My favorite meal was lunch the second day. I don't exactly remember the name of the dish, but it was a soup with ñoquis (phonetically the same) which we added a spicy powder to. The soup was accompanied by tortas fritas (essentially fry bread) which I had never tried before. I've moved past dulce de leche and Ugi's and now I can't get those off my mind. In the second community we visited, we found the courage to ask how to make it. I'm excited to try eventually.

Pictures from Chiquilihuin!