volcano sightings, bus rides and streudel

Today was a fun day. It started out rainy and no way we could see the volcano right across the lake from our hotel. I was beginning to think it was like Mt Fuji all over! We went to a market today and to a museum for the German settlers in this area which was very interesting. Then we went to a restaurant where they prepared a seafood soup for everyone to try-well, since seafood is Jim's least favorite and the ingredients were garlic, onion, and scallops, let's just say this was all wasted on us! But it was a nice try anyway. We came back to the hotel and went and got a cheese sandwich and took the bus to a little town about 45 min away that was settled by Germans. I am having to write this in the lounge of the hotel since the wi fi won't work in our room-we are way on the end. I don't have the names of the towns or spellings so just suffice it to say it was a neat town that started with an F. Anyway, at the bus stop there were 4 others wanting to go too so we went and it was not an express bus-it was the slow boat to china and no seats and people had boxes of things from the market and all. It was definitely a discovery event! We finally got there and enjoyed the walk around the lake shore but the volcano was still covered in clouds. We went to one of the little places and got some german pastries and cocoa and enjoyed the view anyway. We looked out about 15 min later and there were 3 more from our group. At everyone's joking, I got up and turned the open sign to closed. They enjoyed the laugh with us and joined us for a dessert. Then we went and waited a long time for the bus. It got colder and colder. It finally came and was pretty empty except for us. About 1/3 of the way home, I looked out the window and realized we could see the cone of the volcano! It had broken through the clouds and was so pretty. we could not get photos but it was still an awesome sight. Then we got back just in time for the group meeting to talk about the lake crossings tomorrow. During the talk, the volcano top again came in to view so everyone got a chance to see it which was nice. Tonight we go on daylight savings time. So we have to change our watches. Jim's rolex he got in Cuzco is still working, but the band broke....lol. I will put photos on tomorrow night. We had a really fun day but I have to go pack so we can leave early tomorrow. We have at least a 13 hour trip tomorrow. On to Argentina!