Part 2 of this semester's catch-up posts:
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Patagonian Mountains' Majesty
(February 13-18, 2010)
Just two short weeks after Mom & Dad left, it was already time to leave again. We barely had time to adjust to our class schedules before departing for this semester's EFT, but I guarantee none of us was complaining! With 10 new students joining us in January, we knew our Educational Field Trip would be the perfect time to really bond and incorporate them into our already close-knit group, as well as allow us all a refreshing while away from the rush of city life.
On Saturday, February 13, all 55 students plus our program director Rafa, his assistant Maria, and our incredible travel agent Haro left for 6 fantastic days in Patagonia. Our first destination was the beautiful mountain town of El Calafate. Our first full day of the trip was spent entirely in Los Glaciares National Park, where we were able to see the Perito Moreno Glacier -- the only glacier in the world that, in contrast to every other glacier's trend of receding, maintains its size year after year. After several hours of viewing the glacier from the park's numerous vantage points, we strapped on our crampons and took a "mini-trekking" expedition and hiked upon the glacier itself! The grandeur of the glacier was absolutely breathtaking. Knowing that the ice upon which we were standing was upwards of 500 years old gave our whole group a humbling perspective on the incredible magnitude of the beauty we were seeing and experiencing. Our second day was spent on a boat tour throughout Lago Argentino, where we viewed other parts of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, including two of the other glaciers in the national park (Upsala Glacier & Spegazzini Glacier). For the second day in a row, I found myself absolutely awestruck by the magnitude of the creation before me. The same God who had created the giant ice sculptures before me had chosen to make me, instead, in His very image! What a testament to our intrinsic value as children of His kingdom.
Our time in Calafate no doubt set the tone for the rest of our trip to be just as awe-inspiring as days 1 & 2. On the third day, we left for the more secluded mountain "village" of El Chaltén. El Chaltén, also in within Los Glaciares National Park, is the home of the infamous Mount Fitz Roy, a peak regarded as one of the "ultimate" climbs by experienced mountaineers due to its threatening sheer granite faces. Upon our arrival in Chaltén, we learned that to actually see Fitz Roy is an incredible rarity, as more often than not it is surrounded by clouds and fog. However, uncharacteristically for mid-summer, our timing appeared to be perfect: we spent our entire first day in Chaltén under clear blue skies with the perfectly visible mountain peak as our magnificent backdrop. We spent the next few days hiking the mountains surrounding the peak, allowing the scenery to recharge us from the exhausting city life of Buenos Aires. The highlight of my trip was my experience on the optional 8-hour hike, during which 16 of us climbed up to Fitz Roy's best vantage point and the glacial lake of Laguna De Los Tres. Though the weather took a turn for the worst and left us spending the majority of the hike in the freezing rain, the experience was one I wouldn't have traded for anything. Rather than complaining through the cold and rain, we pressed on to reach the top, all the while allowing ourselves to treasure the clear memories of Mount Fitz Roy from days before.
The once-in-a-lifetime experiences our EFT provided made our departure from El Chaltén seem to come all too soon. However, the memories we made during our Patagonian adventures will surely not be soon forgotten. Through both the sunlight and the storm, we dedicated ourselves to soaking in every bit of the nature around us. The fury of a mountain storm matched with the majesty of the towering peaks showed us our insignificance to nature's immensity, yet reminded us all of our unfathomable worth in the eyes of our Creator.
"O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods,
In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
The peaks of the mountains are His also.
Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker,
For He is our God."
- Psalm 95:1-7a
_____________________
To view pictures from our Educational Field Trip to Calafate and Chalten, click here.
Love from abroad,
Margaret
Showing posts with label Patagonia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patagonia. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Second Semester Catch-Up: Installment 1
For starters, I promise I had every intention of picking my blogging back up sometime within the past 9 weeks. However, this semester apparently had other plans for me. Ever since setting foot back on South American soil, life has been one crazy adventure after the other.
Here begins a 4-part recount of the happenings of my second semester abroad in Argentina.
_____________________
Molly & Miles' Argentine Adventures
(January 18-28, 2010)
It started with an incredible 8-day trip all over Argentina in the lovely company of my wonderful parents. We spent two nights in Buenos Aires, during which they got to experience an authentic Argentine parrilla (steakhouse), take a wine-and-dine tour of the three of the city's finest restaurants, visit the Recoleta Cemetery (and the mausoleum of the infamous Eva Peron), and best of all, meet my homestay family! It was such an incredible experience for my American parents to meet my Argentine padres. The introductions were so long-awaited and enthusiastic, and it was all-in-all just heartwarming to see each couple so excited to meet the other. It was obvious that seeing where I sleep, eat my meals, and with whom I spend my time at home in Buenos Aires gave Mom & Dad a huge sense of comfort, despite my distance from home, and gave them a far better understanding of the experience I've had during my time in Argentina.
From Buenos Aires, we went to the Chubut province of Patagonia, where we spent three nights at the El Pedral Lodge, right on the beautiful rocky coast of the Atlantic Ocean. We saw oodles of Patagonian wildlife, from elephant seals to 800,000 Magellanic penguins to an entire sea lion colony, pups and all! (Seriously, apart from Cade, the cutest things I've ever seen...). We read and relaxed and enjoyed each other's company to the fullest during our three days in Patagonia.
Upon leaving Patagonia, we headed to the Argentina wine country of Mendoza. Though now world-renown for its Malbec, the Mendoza region only became internationally recognized for its vineyards within the past 5 years or so. Thus, many of the wineries are still completely family-owned and take great pride in their small-batch wine productions. The wineries we toured during our time in Mendoza were clearly run out of sheer passion for their work, a sentiment I believe is far too rare in the corporate world we are used to. To further enjoy all that Mendoza had to offer, we spent an entire day hiking and zip-lining in the Andes mountains. The scenery was just breathtaking, and I felt like through that aspect of the trip, Mom & Dad were able to experience at least a taste of what I did and saw during my trip to the Peruvian Andes last fall.
We enjoyed our time in the in the wine country immensely, but alas, by day 7 of our travels, it was time to return to Buenos Aires for my intensive Spanish classes and the beginning of a new semester. On the last day of the trip, Mom & Dad came by Casa Holden and were able to meet many of the friends they'd heard so much about over the past several months. We enjoyed one last treat together -- dulce de leche helado from my favorite ice cream shop -- and before I knew it, it was time for them to go.
Saying goodbye to my parents was harder this time than any other time I remember. Perhaps it was because it came abruptly at the end of a once-in-a-lifetime vacation; perhaps it was because I had somewhat adjusted to being in Argentina with them as part of the equation; or, perhaps it was because that goodbye came at a time when we felt closer than ever. The 8 days we traveled through Argentina truly brought my relationship with my parents to an entirely different level. For once, I was the "pro" showing them the ropes -- telling them about local customs, acting as their translator, and showing them a country that we contrastingly viewed as "second-home" and utterly foreign.
Our trip through Argentina allowed my parents to witness, at least in part, what my life had been for the past semester. They finally understood that when I told them my favorite part of life here was the kindness of the locals, it wasn't a diplomatic answer -- it was the honest truth about the kind of people that live here. They understood exactly what I meant when I said I wouldn't trade my homestay parents for a bigger room or more convenient location. Ultimately, they saw what a diamond in the rough this country is: the breathtaking landscapes, the delicious cuisine, and the hospitality that rivals that of Texas pride.
Though saying goodbye was the hardest yet, we all knew that an incredible semester was in store. We will forever cherish the blessing of the memories we made that week and can look forward to reminiscing about them for years to come. For the timebeing until my return home, Skype will have to tide us over. But we all know we've got plenty of living to do until then.
_____________________
To view pictures from our week of Argentine adventures, click here.
Miss you all!
Love from abroad,
Margaret
Here begins a 4-part recount of the happenings of my second semester abroad in Argentina.
_____________________
Molly & Miles' Argentine Adventures
(January 18-28, 2010)
It started with an incredible 8-day trip all over Argentina in the lovely company of my wonderful parents. We spent two nights in Buenos Aires, during which they got to experience an authentic Argentine parrilla (steakhouse), take a wine-and-dine tour of the three of the city's finest restaurants, visit the Recoleta Cemetery (and the mausoleum of the infamous Eva Peron), and best of all, meet my homestay family! It was such an incredible experience for my American parents to meet my Argentine padres. The introductions were so long-awaited and enthusiastic, and it was all-in-all just heartwarming to see each couple so excited to meet the other. It was obvious that seeing where I sleep, eat my meals, and with whom I spend my time at home in Buenos Aires gave Mom & Dad a huge sense of comfort, despite my distance from home, and gave them a far better understanding of the experience I've had during my time in Argentina.
From Buenos Aires, we went to the Chubut province of Patagonia, where we spent three nights at the El Pedral Lodge, right on the beautiful rocky coast of the Atlantic Ocean. We saw oodles of Patagonian wildlife, from elephant seals to 800,000 Magellanic penguins to an entire sea lion colony, pups and all! (Seriously, apart from Cade, the cutest things I've ever seen...). We read and relaxed and enjoyed each other's company to the fullest during our three days in Patagonia.
Upon leaving Patagonia, we headed to the Argentina wine country of Mendoza. Though now world-renown for its Malbec, the Mendoza region only became internationally recognized for its vineyards within the past 5 years or so. Thus, many of the wineries are still completely family-owned and take great pride in their small-batch wine productions. The wineries we toured during our time in Mendoza were clearly run out of sheer passion for their work, a sentiment I believe is far too rare in the corporate world we are used to. To further enjoy all that Mendoza had to offer, we spent an entire day hiking and zip-lining in the Andes mountains. The scenery was just breathtaking, and I felt like through that aspect of the trip, Mom & Dad were able to experience at least a taste of what I did and saw during my trip to the Peruvian Andes last fall.
We enjoyed our time in the in the wine country immensely, but alas, by day 7 of our travels, it was time to return to Buenos Aires for my intensive Spanish classes and the beginning of a new semester. On the last day of the trip, Mom & Dad came by Casa Holden and were able to meet many of the friends they'd heard so much about over the past several months. We enjoyed one last treat together -- dulce de leche helado from my favorite ice cream shop -- and before I knew it, it was time for them to go.
Saying goodbye to my parents was harder this time than any other time I remember. Perhaps it was because it came abruptly at the end of a once-in-a-lifetime vacation; perhaps it was because I had somewhat adjusted to being in Argentina with them as part of the equation; or, perhaps it was because that goodbye came at a time when we felt closer than ever. The 8 days we traveled through Argentina truly brought my relationship with my parents to an entirely different level. For once, I was the "pro" showing them the ropes -- telling them about local customs, acting as their translator, and showing them a country that we contrastingly viewed as "second-home" and utterly foreign.
Our trip through Argentina allowed my parents to witness, at least in part, what my life had been for the past semester. They finally understood that when I told them my favorite part of life here was the kindness of the locals, it wasn't a diplomatic answer -- it was the honest truth about the kind of people that live here. They understood exactly what I meant when I said I wouldn't trade my homestay parents for a bigger room or more convenient location. Ultimately, they saw what a diamond in the rough this country is: the breathtaking landscapes, the delicious cuisine, and the hospitality that rivals that of Texas pride.
Though saying goodbye was the hardest yet, we all knew that an incredible semester was in store. We will forever cherish the blessing of the memories we made that week and can look forward to reminiscing about them for years to come. For the timebeing until my return home, Skype will have to tide us over. But we all know we've got plenty of living to do until then.
_____________________
To view pictures from our week of Argentine adventures, click here.
Miss you all!
Love from abroad,
Margaret
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