Bariloche, Argentina is a Ski town well known for its chocolate shops and making tourists fat. At the urging of several chocolate affectionados, I visited the most popular chocolate shop in town named "Mamushka-el chocolate muy rico" (Mamushka-the very rich chocolate). With a big smile on my face, I showed up to the front doors, which opened automatically (as if they knew I would be coming). I didn't really want much chocolate, and I had already game planned what my purchase would consist of; Three pieces with Almonds, one piece with rice crispies, one piece with some goo inside and a mint one.

If only obtaining goodies from this store was as simple as me. The Mamuska purchasing process is as annoying, difficult and time consuming as checking into a overbooked flight on Air Tran Airways. First you must take a number from the number dispenser. This proves to be disheartening task as you see your number of 33 is nowhere near the most recent number called of 4. So, you just have to stand next to hoards of anxious women in front of a glass enclosure guarding upwards of 10 metric tons of chocolate. I don't crave many foods, but anyone would start to get a little restless when waiting for almonds fused with chocolatey goodness, and an endless supply directly in front of you.

I have heard that the scene at a Bridal Gown Sale in the States is something to behold. Well, in Argentina, gowns are so B.C., as the real bickering comes when there are only three Mocca Fudge Truffles left and you have four ladies in front of you that look like they would slaughter 7 puppies just to get their Truffles fix.

After waiting 20 minutes to give my not-so-complex order, I felt a weight gently lift off my shoulders as I was minutes away from departing this man made hell hole. However, just as the attendant was finished bagging my order, I reached for it, only to see her wisk away to another part of the store to where I assume I could pay for my damn chocolate.

Keeping an eye on my bag of chocolate I stealthily glided over to another line and waited for 5 minutes until I got to the counter to pay for my items. "I am sorry, this is the wrapping table, you need to pay over there" the lady said (in spanish) while pointing to a line similar in length to a female toilet line at any popular bar or night club establishment. At this point I am ready to give up on my chocolate buying mission, but I rationalize that I have waited this long, what's another 5 minutes.

15 minutes later, I was back in the wrapping table line waiting to present my receipt and collect my f-ing chocolate.

I guess it was unbelievably delicious.

On another note, Bariloche is an awesome town/city entrenched between massive tree covered mountains and crystal blue lakes. There are an endless number adventure activities to be had including skiing, hiking, biking, white water rafting, para-gliding, skydiving, beer drinking and dancing at Wilkenny's*, canopying, etc.

Or conversely, you can go and eat ungodly amounts of chocolate, and work the weight off at some of the best steak restaurants in the world. (Namely: #1 El Boliche De Albertos, #2 El Refugio del Montanes)

*On the topic of Wilkenny's, I went there with some friends on one particular Saturday evening, and among the group was, Auke, a funny/cool Dutch girl I had met previously. We were flirting, and through the course of conversation that night, she tried to ask: "do I make you horny" (the line from the Austin Powers movie), however (and to my utter delight), it came as "do I give you horn". It took me approximately 13 minutes to stop laughing.