Yo.  So I’m going to start writing a bit more, and a bit more casually.  Quicker entries and smaller stuff.  Cranking out these once-every-two-months blog novels is getting a bit foolish.

Currently in Bariloche, Argentina, in a hostel that’s on the water.  It’s just after 8pm, and there’s music playing in the bar downstairs, so I’m going to pump this one out rather quickly, and then grab my 970ml Quilmes Lager from the fridge and join the fun.

I just came from a small hippie town called El Bolsón, and I ate and drank some awesome stuff.  This is a food journal, of all of the awesome things I ate and drink in El Bolsón.

We arrived in El Bolsón at about 3am, after sitting on a bus for a day.  About 10 of us rocked up to a hostel, woke the dude up, and were given beds.  We paid just over $9 each night.

The next morning, myself, an American girl, and the Australian dude with whom I did the end-of-the-world hike, Lobo, went to the local feria, or crafts market.  It was pretty empty, unfortunately, but there were some things to consume.

First, I got a small truffle, which I forgot to photograph.  Next, it was fresh squeezed orange juice.  I watched her make the whole thing–beautiful.

 

After the market, we headed out on a short walk, to catch a view of the whole city.

 

Nice place.  Huge fan of those golden trees too.  On our way back, we stopped at a local dulceria, and picked up some alfajores and empanadas, which we then brought to the nearby cervezeria, Otto Tip.  We ate and drank in concert.

Alfajore Frambuesa:

Alfajore Calafate (the calafate berry is native to the entire Patagonia region):

The traditional artesanal alfajore.  This is one of the single best things you’ll ever eat:

In addition, we bought some fresh-made blueberry juice at the dulceria.  It was a bit syrup-y, and probably should have been mixed with water, but I actually quite liked it.

Furthermore, there were empanadas–there’s always empanadas.  I got jamon y queso (ham and cheese), and cebolla y queso (onion and cheese).  Unreal stuff–they each cost about 69 cents too.  Obligatory “you want an empanada suit?”

Amazing.  We got some beers too.  I got a cerveza negra, and my friends cervezas rubias.

The whole scene:

The bar in which we drank was pretty cool too.

After we finished our foods and drinks, the owner was nice enough to give us a tour of the brewery.

Nice little afternoon.

That night, we cooked up a dinner which, believe it or not, I brain-child-ed.

Pasta with onions, broccoli, proscuitto, and parmesan:

For a side, we made an improvised bruscetta: tomatoes, shredded provolone, avocado, and garlic.

Wine too, of course–it is Argentina after all.  The whole scene:

Great meal.  The next day, instead of going for a hike, I decided to read a book and eat more food.  So, I headed to a local geladeria, Juaja, which is regarded as the home of the best ice cream in Argentina.  There, I read.  After about 7 pages, I ordered a warm milk, which was actually fantastic.

After 60 pages, I went to La Salteñita, and got some empanadas.  They had a huge selection.

I ordered 4.

Panchita (sausage):

 

Carne.  Tasted like chili.

Roquefort with leek:

Pollo.  The best one:

Again–great meal.  Finally, for the finale, and in anticipation of the Flyers game, I cooked up a nice little Philly cheesesteak for dinner, while listenings to The Roots.  Argentinian milanesa, provolone, sautéed onions, and a huge roll.

Nom.

Great 2 days of food, and since I just arrived in Bariloche, which is known to have some of the best ice cream, chocolate, and steak in all of Argentina, there should be many more great days to come.

Aprovecho,

Will