It's been a couple of weeks of travel and fun for the kids. Unfortunately the blog isn't working for pictures so Alana is posting everything on Facebook. Those of you who are my friends are seeing what I am. 
Here are some excerpts of her letters to me.
I continue to thank you for keeping them in your thoughts and prayers... it means so much to know you care.
V
This one opened the door to irony as much of Argentina is a haven for Nazis."Hi Mommy, how are things in the cold? Sorry I haven't put anything on the blog but I can't upload photos to it from the iPad. Annoying.
Things are great here. Bariloche is fantastic. I've never seen lake water as clear as this. It's gorgeous and cold. We went kayaking today which was amazing. I went for a very brisk swim. Couldn't help myself. I'll likely go again tomorrow.
We also went horse back riding today. It was great. 3 hours through the mountains and rivers. Pretty sure my horse smoked up before we went cause he had a serious case of the munchies. His favorite were whatever had the most thorns in it.
Tomorrow we are going to attempt biking around the Lago Nahuel Huapi. It's 40kms so we'll see how it goes.
We aren't loving the hostel and I'm in a separate room tonight. Girls dorm. So we will likely move on tomorrow. Either Villa Angostura or Colonial Suiza. Might try to camp for a few nights if we can get a tent.
So the wine guy I mentioned....he was telling us about his job and in the 3 years he's been at the winery he has only had 1 complaint "it's the Jewish people my friends. They are very complicated. We need to be thankful we were not born Jewish." He didn't say it in a derogatory manor, just like he was stating a fact. He's just lucky we were the ones he said it to because there are a gazzilion people from Isreal traveling in Argentina.
How are your dogs? And give Elmo some love for me. I'll try to call in a couple of weeks.
Miss and love you lots.
Love Alana
No matter how old they are, a parent's help is still required.
"Hi, sorry for the silence. We were in Colonia Suiza forna few days and there isn't much there in the way of communication.new are back in Bariloche for the night then off tomorrow morning for a 3 day bus ride down Ruta 40.
do you still have my account information. I just tried to pay my visa and my phone but my online banking isn't set up so I'm kinda screwed as payments are due tomorrow. Can you let me know asap please. I'm starting to worry about visa penalties for late payment.
Thank you and I will email more later and trybto get pics up.
Love you. Alana
I haven't heard from her for a few days so this missive released breath for me. Again, no matter how old they are the worry remains strong.
Thanks for doing the banking for me. I thought I had set up online banking but I guess not. Phew
Colonia Suiza was pretty cool. Small town about 40 mins away. Dirt road, no traffic signs and only 4 blocks. The hostel I found for us was great and cheap. The walls were pretty thin but it was $8 a night. They host a party every Saturday. TWas good fun. Music, an amazing dance performance, and the girl who checked us in and answered all our questions pulled me out of the crowd completely out of the blue to force me to sing Guns and Roses with her husband. Shawn says I was surprisingly good, I highly doubt it.
(He loves her)[/I]
Woof took a day off to read by the river so Newport and I rented a couple of bikes and peddled to a chairlift that takes you up the mountain for a spectacular view. I'll try to get pics on tonight but if not it may be awhile.
We leave tomorrow at 6:30am for our trip down Ruta 40. It's pretty remote so I'm not sure about Internet. We are supposed to end in El Calafete but we decided to spend some time in El Chalten to do some hikes and maybe a bit more kayaking.
Glad you are enjoying the winter with the dogs, and I would like to meet the pug. I met one yesterday he was pretty cute.
I'll email you the next chance I get.
Thanks again for the banking and hugs to you and Elmo.
Love you
Alana
