Runner's Logic

What is with my cameras not charging? I would have some excellent photos for today...except my camera won't charge. Booooo.

Have you ever gone on a run and literally felt like you were going to fall over because your legs felt weak and heavy? Well, that was my run today. Not fun, but slow and steady right? I made it 20 minutes before I had to walk home. Yikes! I blame it on the combo of the BA heat/humidity and starting to study for my Boards. The one-two punch.

So my days are becoming less blog worthy, as I study more, frequent the same places, and am not as touristy. BUT, I still managed to eat a delicious bife de chorizo sandwich for dinner. I'm sorry I don't have a wonderful photo.

Tomorrow brings another date with USMLE World qbank. I will become a doctor soon, just 2 more big tests and A LOT of practice questions before I get my medical license...

Update:
This is EXACTLY what went through my mind today as I geared up to go running...

El Ateneo

I'm so sad I forgot to bring my camera today!

After a nice walk along Santa Fe, with some window shopping of course, I stopped at El Ateneo. El Ateneo was an old theater where many of BA's greats performed, and now it still has its original bones but has been made into a wonderful bookstore. I had a terrific lunch at the cafe, which is where the stage used to be.  I ate a delicious fugazzetta, that was amazing with some hot tea on this stormy day. Fugazzetta reminds you of Argentina's Italian heritage, with a BA twist. It's a rich cheesy pizza with onions and oregano.

El Ateneo

A replica of the fugazetta I had for lunch

Me in El Ateneo previously

Recoleta Crafts Fair

Another sunny Sunday in BA. And WOW, the crafts fair was so happening this afternoon! There was even live music playing, so many people sitting in the shade enjoying the great mid 70s weather with a breeze. I took a run through the park which was also packed with families, runners, rollerbladers, bikers, kids. So great!

Tea Connection

Tea Connection is a great place around the corner. Enjoyed a delicious chai there on Friday, will definitely return!

T.G.I.R.

Thank God its Raining!

Lightning and thunder for most of last night. So cool and nice today. Took a run (and some photos).

Stormy clouds over Recoleta Cemetary

In motion

Graffiti art on Bridge overlooking University of Buenos Aires

"91 degrees, feels like 110"

That was the weather report for this afternoon. Oh boy it's been a hot one today! And I take a long walk to Museo Evita. Haven't felt this close to passing out before.

Some photos of the day...

My fresh pasta with pesto and baguette with brie

Unnamed sculpture nearby Recoleta Mall

The best of the US

Museo Evita, the building previously housed one of Eva's shelters for Women and Children

Evita Peron

A collection of Evita's stylish outfits

BA street art

Condors

I forgot to mention in my last post, the most spectacular sighting of the trip. Andean Condors! I just couldn't believe it. I thought condors were super rare and never seen, but we saw 20 of them over two days! What luck and joy. I spent more time enjoying the birds than photographing them, but here is a short clip showing one soaring over the valley. 

Pampa Linda & Mount Tronador

After a bumpy two hour bus ride on dirt roads, we reached the epicenter of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Pampa Linda. Little more than two campgrounds, a small restaurant and a hosteria, Pampa Linda is the main starting point for the backcountry, and climbing Mount Tronador from the Argentine side (there are three peaks, the Argentine, the Chilean, and a dual International peak on the extinct volcano). I loved the area immensely and now want to return to do the trek to summit Mt. Tronador, three days, crampons, ice axes, glaciers galore. The coolest thing about staying in the Valley was you could hear the thunder of glacial ice falling every so often, which gives Mount Tronador it's namesake.

The refugios are what make Nahuel Huapi really special. We spent three nights camping and one night in the refugio. Small, and built in beautiful locations, these mountain huts can fit up to 60 people a night, and feed even more. I had delicious gnocci, pizza, and even a small dulce dessert at the newest refugio on the block, Refugio Agostino Rocca, which overlooks a beautiful glacier with icy waterfalls, and am amazing Patagonian peaked landscape. We also day hiked up to Refugio Otto Meiling, the basecamp for the trekkers attempting to summit Mt Tronador.

The only downside to our trip were the tabanos. I would recommend going to Pampa Linda, but not until before or after the tabanos (aka BLOOD SUCKING HORSEFLIES) season. Highly unpleasant, 30% deet doesn't help, only swatting with fronds (aka tree branches) is a useful deterrent. Lesson learned the hard way!

Here are a ton of photos from the trip.

Rainbow on our bus ride to Pampa Linda

Mirador del Valle -Jon's favorite windy lookout

Our campsite for three nights

Starting our day hike to the Salta Gargante del Diablo

Black Glacier

Jump into the Throat of the Devil Waterfall

This view doesn't show the crazy intense hike it took to get here

Pampa Linda

Cooking pasta over the fire

At the base of Mount Tronador

View from the interior of Refugio Otto Meiling

So happy!

Andean wildflowers

This tiny refugio can fit 60 people at night

Ecstatic to be walking through an alpine meadow, even though there is a horsefly attacking my left cheek

Enjoying pizza in Refugio Agostino Rocca

Mmm Pizza

Glaciers, waterfalls oh my

Refugio Agostino Rocca

View of Lago Frias

I'm on cloud 9

Happiness

I stopped counting at 30 waterfalls

There were a few bridges like these on our hike

Pristine wilderness

Imagine hiking through miles of flower filled logs and trees

Caution

Or take a picture!

Made it!

After jumping in