Not the End of the World!

So we have really become quite fond of this little city. We walk around a lot. Yesterday was an exceptional urban trekking day. It started when we left our hostel yesterday and walked to the bus stop (1k). We were going to make a quick stop at the supermarket to grab snacks for the day before catching the 50 bus (or was it the 51?) to....ummm. Shoot, well hopefully we will just see our new friends on the bus when we get on and if they're not on it then its got to be the next one.

First, there's no such thing as a 'quick' stop at the supermercado. Everyone in there moves at the speed of slug, especially the cashiers. So my over caffinated, under rested, time crunched internal reaction was ugly. We did need the food for the day so I just got the bare necessities; water, apples, crackers then we booked it to the bus stop. Dangit! We missed one.

Our friends weren't on any of the next three. Wulp, we blew it.

Now what?
Let's go to that place that we kind of know about?
The one in walking distance?
Yes.
We don't have a book..
I think we can find it.

So we walked to kilometer1 where this dirt road should be on the right (4k). Check. Dirt road. Bonus,"Piedras Blancas" sign. So,we decided to walk up the road until we found rocks.  It climbed up a small summit so at the very least it would be a nice walk. It was indeed! Such perfect views of the lake, the mountains, the town. It really looks a lot like Seattle. We hadn't found any rocks but decided to continue. So close to the top, may as well,keep walking. Then all of a sudden, ROCKS! We made it! (4k) it turned out to be some great climbing too!

After a great afternoon of climbing, we went back to town for a bite to eat, groceries and a guide book. (5k) all the grocery stores were closed because some people rioted and organized a massive steeling spree from a store in town. It was on the national news. Argentine News Article (in Spanish).

There were lots of policia in town and the shops we're all boarded up because storefront owners were nervous people would break int their shops as well. No one was sure about what was going on and when the places were to open up.

We continued on our trek back to our lovely hostel (5k).  Luckily we had a small stash of veggies and bread at the hostel! Our friends moved up to our place and brought us a bottle of wine. Phew!  disaster narrowly averted.

So if you've been keeping track, 1+4+4+5+5=lots of urban hiking. Our feet are tired! The grocery stores opened up today with outrageously long lines, I'm talkin up the aisles. People were freaked out from the riots, it's Friday, Christmas is next week, and it was questionably the end of the world! (it's tomorrow here right now and the world exists so not to worry!)

We will continue to spin and buy groceries.

Happy solstice everyone!