March 27,

Happiest Birthday to my brother!!

At 0700, we were up and at ‘em…well Jeff was. My back needed a TENS session. Thankfully, I have not needed this in quite a long time. We did our packing and readied. We had our Javas with the last of the yogurt and a plum. By 0945 we called our host and by 0955 we had checked out and relinquished the apartment keys. Jeff called for an Uber taxi – it was cheaper than a Cabify.

We arrived at the airport and checked our bags in. We went through security, without a hitch. But the lounge was full and we had to wait in line for around ten minutes. By 1115 we were in the lounge. We had our breakfast of deli cheeses, and coldcuts. We each had a croissant, but unfortunately it was sweet and glazed. We also had an assortment of scrambled eggs, bite pieces of torts and yogurts. It was actually nice. We boarded an Aerolineas Argentinas plane on the tarmac, some of the last people. Our seats were 4A and 4B, which is the closest to the front of a plane we have been on in quite awhile. The plane backed out and took off two minutes early. It’s supposed to be a 3hr 15minute flight. There was a beverage/food service on the flight – it was nominal – a snack cookie/biscuit and drink. We touched down at 1533, 17 minutes early!!

Welcome to Patagonia, Argentina!!!

We disembarked and went to the baggage claim. (It’s a very small airport and actually a ways out of town.) I waited for our luggage and Jeff went on through to get our rental car. I got our bags and found Jeff still at the car rental place. The car rental guy mentioned they had their first snow three days ago! What?!? Hopefully, that is not on the agenda for this next week! After paperwork was done we went to the car – it’s a Fiat. We did the videoing and pics. Then we loaded up and hit the road by 1610.

We just cleared out of the airport and turned onto the road toward El Chalten. There was a couple hitchhiking here. We stopped and they were going to El Chalten so we gave them a lift. Jeff had to rearrange our luggage to accommodate theirs, but it worked. He’s French and she’s Columbian. They have been hiking around southern South America. We chatted with them as we drove the two plus hours drive. We saw many Guanacos, Patagonias version of a wild llama, and are mostly here in Argentina. There was a vehicle disabled on the side of the road, most likely from a collision with one of these animals crossing the road. Anyway, we also saw Ostriches; horses; (maybe a fox?); a few cattle; and some lamb, which they are famous for here. The French guy said he saw a red snake slithering away on the side of the road. Glad I did not see that one!

As we arrived at El Chalten, a cloud was shrouding the mountain behind it. The sun’s rays were beaming out and looked like it was raining. A lot was going on there. We arrived in the town around 1815. The couple wanted out at the bus terminal, so we did and wished them well. We drove a few blocks and found our place. It is a tiny home! Like day and night from our last place to here. It is basically a room 9 by 12 feet with a loft accessed by a ladder. We have a double hot plate, sink, and a toaster oven with a bar frig. We are only here four nights…cozy but doable. We unloaded and went to find supper, walking. It is brisk weather and spitting a little bit. We found Mathildas. Very close, we went in and ordered Lentils Stew- lentils with beef, pork, chorizo and veggies; and Chicken curry with large grain white rice. I had a pink lemonade and Jeff had a beer. They gave us toasted bread and smoked eggplant dip while we waited for our dishes. The food came and was hearty and good for the dreary weather. It was pricey, but we knew that coming down here. It cost 68,000 ARS, which was $47.77. We finished and hurried back to our place. I blogged and Jeff went back out to a “supermercado”… he said it’s not ‘super’. Anyway, we called it by ten. Can’t wait to explore this desolate but beautiful area!