Skiing with four small children is always fun!. However, upon the departure of our 12 day adventure into the Andes, I could not have imagined the week we had ahead of us. It was eventful. I could write a lengthy narrative and detail all the highlights. But instead I am opting for bullet points as I am not inclined to relive this part of our family history. I apologize for the lack of photos; however they don’t allow photography in emergency rooms. And raging blizzards don’t make for primo photos opps.
THE BAD
- Flights to all ski resorts cancelled due to snow storm, we are stranded at Neuquen Airport, 500km from where we wanted to be
- Aerolineas Argentinas predictably not helpful and GM gets mad
- Need to find our own transportation to Chapleco (Andes ski hill), or reboard the airplane that would be returning to BA, and if we were lucky they would book us on an airplane “later in the week”
- Spent 5 hours in a van driving to Junin then Chapelco
- We arrive at house to pick up the truck. With the exception of the actual house, our property is underwater. The region is experiencing record flooding
- We arrive in San Martin and are told that the GM’s truck cannot make it to the hotel that is located on the ski hill due to the road conditions. Make complicated arrangements for its parking and eventual delivery to us at the hotel.
- Apparently, one standard off-road vehicle is not sufficient for our ascent up the hill, 3 different vehicles, each with a better traction system, are used during the expedition. This means all 7 passengers and their luggage (11 pieces) have to be transferred each time...it’s an harbinger for our nightmarish transportation logistics that we must deal with everyday (END OF DAY ONE)
- No communication with outside world. GM’s cell phone is MIA. My phone decides to refuse charging.. The hotel has only a radio phone, (ie) CB radio. Yodelers stage a sick out.
- We have previously decided that (after years and years of whining and pleading) we will let Henry and Callum try out snowboarding.
- Decision not a good one: can’t rent snow boards or get snow boarding lessons on the hill near our hotel and can’t get to main ski hill on skis due to the snow dump, must use 2 different Land Rovers to get to main ski hill. (this lasted all week)
- During the entire week lifts and gondolas were breaking down. Would suggest they do some maintenance prior to ski season opening
- Henry hurts wrist on second day of snow boarding and requires x-rays (negative). Invest in wrist braces recommended by our new friends in the Infirmary
- See new friends again next day when Jenny (nanny) hurts her leg skiing in the fog and has x-rays (positive for fracture)
- Spend day at Hospital with Jenny getting new x-rays and learning from other new friend orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jorge, that Jenny needs arthroscopic surgery, 3 month off her leg and physical therapy
- Organize surgery, hotels and new flights for Jenny
- Callum has 103 temperature and seal cough. I ignore symptoms
- On final day of skiing as I am packing up the car, GM calls to tell me that Henry has paid a visit to our old friends in the Infirmary, has arm x-rayed (positive for fracture) meaning more hospital visits and hooking up with our orthopedic pal Dr. Jorge. Reinforces negative feelings about prior snowboard decision
- Our favorite restaurant (the only restaurant) in Junin, La Ruca, is closed for renovations
THE GOOD
- There was a much needed snow storm
- The kids had fun, totally oblivious to the stress we were feeling and they were causing.
- Owen skied a ton and had a lot of fun (was neither sick or injured)
- Henry broke his left arm (his writing hand!)
- The hotel was very nice with good food, nice service and great views but it might as well have been on the moon given our transportation logistics
- Everyone (except the bruja at Los Pendientes and the Areolineas Argentina) were exceptionally warm, nice and helpful to us. Argentines are really great that way…
- Definitively confirmed that snowboarding (riding, shredding, whatever) is a waste of time. In all likelihood this option will not be offered to offspring on next SKI vacation.
- The heat and fireplaces worked pretty well in Junin.
- The river went down
- The pond is full, at least for now…
Enough said on that subject.
