Tomorrow morning is Puerto Natales departure day. After a week I’ve gotten to know some of the locals and found favorite restaurants and shops. Will miss this beautiful place. Some of the little things are the fondest memories. Like the terrifying big wolf-like dog down the street that’s really a softie and carries a rock in his mouth to drop in front of you so you’ll throw it and play.
Then there’s the friendly German lady who runs the lavanderia who never forgets a customer and always has your laundry done perfectly and on time. Also the small French restaurant that makes the best pasta and sauces in the world, and the Chilean ladies who create dried fruit like you’ve never tasted in your life. Mostly I’ll miss the brilliant sunrises and sunsets and breathtaking scenery, especially along Last Hope Sound where black swans and fishing boats pose in front of mountain peaks and glaciers!
Puerto Natales is a happy community and they do things their way, including shutting down everything (except restaurants) for siesta from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. I’ve learned to be more patient and that little things can wait.
It’s beginning to get cold – the low 30s at night and 50s during the day – and people are winding down for “off season,” when most tourists are gone and they have some time for themselves and their families.
Tomorrow I head for El Calafate, then El Chaltén and San Carlos de Bariloche – on the Argentinian side of Patagonia – and eventually Buenos Aires. Hoping the border crossing goes smoothly. US citizens pay a “reciprocity fee” to enter Argentina and I did that on the Internet so should be OK.
More later from Argentina….
