| El Calafate |
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| Written by Keith Rhoades | |
| Saturday, 20 November 2010 | |
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Hello all...I am currently in El calafate Argentina....or what I first felt like was hell! lol. I woke up this morning and had my morning coffee with Maria and her husband and headed to the airport. There was of course a departure tax it wasnt too expensive but I hate that they sneak that in at the last moment. The plane took off on time and I ended up sitting next to a guy from Poland so we talked most of the flight since I had been to Poland twice to visit family. I had booked a family home ahead of time and had read that el calafate was the gateway to the glaciers national park and the famous glacier Perito Moreno. After the grand entrance into fin del mundo...I was almost horrified as the plane descended...it looked like we were landing in the mojave dessert! El Calafate is the hub for adventure...but it is a very small town and it is at the foot hills of the andes...It is pampas-dessert...sage brush and sand. I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. I found a shuttle to take me into town which was a long drive I thought we were never going to get there. The town had dirt roads. I finally got to my family home and the guy I made reservations with Gerardo is in Buenos aires so his papa took care of me....but he only speaks spanish but a very sweet elderly man. He explained in spanish what to use in the house, how to use the oven, etc. and what excursions were available, where the supermarket and bank were. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and the excursions to go hiking on the glacier are a bit pricey so I had to rest and think about everything. I thought...this is a chance in a life time to go hike on a glacier....I shouldnt quibble about a few dollars. I made plans for tomorrow to go hiking on the glaciers and then the next day to go on a boat excursion through the ice bergs on lago argentina. The next problem was I had all the equipment I needed except for the hiking boots-shoes. I then went into town and thought I would buy a pair. but the cheapest I could find was 800 pesos...nearly $200!! Thankfully...I went into one store that would rent Gortex Hiking Boots for $10 a day!!!! I was so happy....I feel better now. Also, the wind here was unbelievable....biting and hurrican force type winds...I could hardly walk and sand kept blowing in my eyes. I felt miserable!! So I am getting ready to go find some food, and prepare a lunch to pack for tomorrow. I leave at 830 in the morning ...take a bus to the port, catch a boat to the glaciers and then go hiking for a few hours with a guide. the next day I will do the ice berg boat tour through the lake. I am really excited about this...though i am not that excited about el calafate! anyway, it was sort of a hard day..the transit days always are. I always feel off keelter. running around and then trying to figure out where I am, where to go, and then compounded by trying to go cheap and budget and the ice hiking through me for a loop...but i may never have the chance to do this again! so I must seize the moment...and in the end...I´ll always have the memories. Well, there is a line forming to use the internet...so I must go for now. Hope all of you are well. With love...Keith |
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