FREEDOOOM!!!!

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pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianandkim/sets/72157603275016664/

We stocked up at the grocery store on everything that any self-respecting car camper could ever need

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianandkim/sets/72157603279114611/

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We arrived in Bariloche just in time for siesta.  Yes, everything was closed no food, no chocolate shops, no internet, and no information until 4pm. Luckily we got accosted by a guy handing out fliers for his hostel, and the free internet and kitchen use sold us immediately.  It was actually not a dive!  It was, however, very cold in Bariloche as it had been throughout the rest of the Lakes District, and ooh, the wind!

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When the town opened back up for business, we learned again that most trails were still closed, etc. with the exception of some day hikes, and guided tours.  We bought a good hiking map of the area, and decided to further blow our budget by renting a car. What the hell, freedom from bus schedules and pre-programed destinations at last!!!  They would even drop the car off at our hostel the night before at no extra charge.  This was going to be good!  We agreed beforehand that we'd pick up hitchikers along the way, as we didn't like to be passed by empty cars when you just needed to get a little further down the road.  We'd be doing our good deed for the day, and carpooling to boot!  How very green of us.

The car man delivered our brand spankin' new VW Fox right to our doorstep.  Lucky us, they were out of the 'economy' cars that we had signed up for, so we got a free upgrade. We stocked up at the grocery store on everything that any self-respecting car camper could ever need, and planned to head out first thing in the morning for Mount Tronador and our first glacier sighting.  We also headed for the ski shop, and bought ourselves some long underwear and warm jackets.  It was only going to get colder as we moved further south.