The long road, not often taken (part 1)
Trip Start
Dec 31, 2005
1
15
20
Trip End
Jan 24, 2006
El Calafate,
Argentina
Monday, January 16, 2006
Re-tracing the route we took to get to El Chalten from El Calafate, we drove once more the lonely highway. Literally, we probably counted no more than a dozen vehicles passing us the other way, it is that deserted. I described before the halfway point where the bus stops to let passengers take a bio breat (duly nicknamed Las Stinky Latrina). I should also mention once again the fine array of warm cans of coke and sprite on offer, as well as the handmade sandwiches that only the hungriest of travellers would dare touch!
We were off again, and the rest of our 4 hour trip went without a hitch. Not counting the stink of hiker shoes that hung low in the air, and the driver who kept trying to get us to close the overhead hatch (which was our only effective cooling mechanism in this near 30 degree heat). But we made the most of it, and we had a great game of cards (watch the steep corners, 500 rummy is hard to play when the deck keeps flying across the bus).
We got to El Calafate (oh yeah, but now we are all pronunciating it properly..
01 - Last look, El Calafate
. El Cala-fet-eh) with enough time to check into the hostel, and head out for dinner. We picked a happening place called Casablanca. Its a very busy pizzaria and it had a great tv and soundsystem that was playing the DVD from the last U2 concert.After dinner, we were all too beat to walk around town (which I mentioned before only really picks up at 9pm and goes on well past 2am). Our bus leaving for Chile was scheduled for 7am the next day, so a good nights sleep was in order.
By this point in the trip, I am thinking that I have seen some pretty amazing things. Ive been to the Antarctic, gotten up close to penguins, seals and whales, climbed parts of the Andes mountains...what could beat that? The dread in the back of my mind however, is the 3 day hiking and camping in Torres del Paine (nicknamed the towers of pain)that awaited us in Chile. I have no idea whether I am fit for a 4 out of 5 difficulty rating from a trekking perspective. And I hate camping, to top it all off. So, either things go really wrong from here, or I may be pleasantly suprised. I am hoping for the latter! (fingers and toes crossed).
Comments
Camping Tip!!!
Don't wipe your ass with plants that have five leaves...those are made for smokin'! We've really enjoyed following your trip but if you want real pain, get married and have kids! You'll get no sympathy from those of us who did and have. See you soon, we're looking forward to seeing the pics.
Todd and family