Chos Malal

We went to this town in the north of Neuquen province to visit one of our friends who lives there on her own.  Her name is Amalia Funez, she is an English teacher and last year got a job at a high school at Chos Malal.  Chos Malal is an indigenous name which means "yellow corral" - due to the town being surrounded by mountains (which are yellowy coloured).  We went by bus from the city of Neuquen, 6 hours later arrived in Chos Malal.

Scenery on the way

Amalia and Ramona

She lives in a little apartment behind this house.

Amalia's street....on a very frosty morning! Note the snow on the mountain in the backdrop...

Around the town of Chos Malal

Looking out over Amalia's neighbourhood

Amalia outside her school.

Walking around the town

System of canals for watering.  Water comes from the mountains.

After that frosty morning, the day turned out to be beautiful!  We had our little meeting the three of us in Amalia's house, then after lunch took a walk down to the riverside.  They've done it really nice with a walkway, grass that they keep watered...and an open-air gym!  Really cool! Here's Ramona, deciding not to have a go... (me on the bike behind her ;-))

Amalia doing homework. 

 And it's goodbye...here we are at the bus terminal ready to board that bus.  We only get to visit her once every four or five months probably!

Scenes on the way back to Neuquen.