Let’s dive into something cool – quite literally, a snow quest. 🌎✈️ Ever experienced something for the first time and it felt like you were living in a dream? Picture this: a Panamanian girl, me, usually melting under the tropical sun, stepping into the snowy embrace of Bariloche for the first time. This wasn’t just any trip; it was my grand entrance into the world of snow, mountains, and, oh, turning fifteen!
Turning fifteen is a doorway to adulthood in Latin American culture, a time-honored tradition where a young girl steps into womanhood. For me, this rite of passage wasn’t just marked by a celebration but by an enchanting journey to Argentina. Forget the typical quinceañera scenes; mine was set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic Andes. Here I found myself in a dance with the cold, a world away from the tropical warmth of Panama, with a storyline that felt straight out of a fairy tale.
Buenos Aires to Bariloche: A Journey of Firsts
My journey kicked off in Buenos Aires, where the city’s heartbeat and colorful streets set the stage. But Bariloche? That’s where the plot thickened. Imagine stepping into a postcard, where every scene is a frame of snow-covered mountains and crystal-clear lakes.
Well that was not the case for me. Don’t get me wrong, the views where breathtaking! However, we went in the wrong season, where all snow had already melted. But my parents took us (my brother, sister and me) to the top of a mysterious mountain (we lost the name in the excitement), where a small puddle of snow waited for us to at least feel its texture before it finished melting.
💡 Tip: If you want to enjoy the snow and experience that white scene, visit Bariloche between June and September.
My First Snow Quest: The Hunt for Winter
The highlight? Cerro Otto, We reached the ‘Confitería Giratoria.‘ Ever seen the world spin gently while sipping hot chocolate? It’s surreal. The mountains, the lake, everything – it was a 360-degree wonder that had me pinching myself.
And there, atop Cerro Otto, amidst the whispers of snow and sky, we stumbled upon an unexpected gallery under the heavens. Replicas of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including ‘Moises’, ‘David’, and ‘La Piedad’, stood silently, offering a moment of reflection and awe.
The Heart of It All
In the end, this trip was more than celebrating a birthday. It was about discovering the unknown, about laughter that warms you up from the inside out, and about finding beauty in the chilliest of places.
So, what’s your “first snow” story? Did it make you feel like a star in your movie, too? Let’s chat in the comments or hit me up on social. And hey, if you’re curious about more adventures, keep an eye on this space!
Photo by Emilio Lujan from Unsplash
