Spring Break Part 1: Bienvenidos al Sur!

Sorry this post about my spring break in Patagonia has taken so long for me to write. I needed to spend some time processing the whole experience and I still do not think I fully have. So I press on and will do my best to take you through my fabulous trip! Behold! Part one!

I finally finished packing up my hiking bag that was probably about half my size, and the next morning headed to the airport. From Punta Arenas we had to take a bus to the adorable city of Puerto Natales in order to catch a bus to the national park Torres del Paine.

The bus drivers for the bus to Puerto Natales informed us something that we thought meant that someone had gotten sick and therefore I had to sit up front with them. Ok fine. Christian and ‘Nesto turned out to be character right out of the Odd Couple. ‘Nesto was tall and lanky, while Christian was short and a bit stocky. They waved at each car and bus driving on the road explaining that they were all their friends, and ‘Nesto told me that if I wanted to see penguins here I should look to my left at Christian driving. They pointed out the different sights of the road, including the various flora and fauna of the land. At one point they stopped the bus so Emily, Emily and I could take a photo with the scenery, but then proceeded to take the photo of us in front of the bus. We didn’t fully understand but hey, this was their turf! Maybe one day you will see me on a Chilean bus ad.

SO we finally made it to Puerto Natales after a beautiful bus ride. As I mentioned Puerto Natales is the last stop before heading into Torres del Paine and Emily and Emily told me that it reminded them of Alaska. I have never been to Alaska but if you have, there is a image to relate to. There are a lot of hiking gear stores, places to buy warm clothes, and anything else you may need before continuing onto the trek. There are also a lot of very cute restaurants, even some that I could imagine back into New York. Most notably there was a pizza place called “Mesita Grande” (read: large table) with a couple long communal tables for everyone to sit together. There was also a vegetarian and gluten-free friendly restaurant called “El Living” (I won’t translate that for you, I think you can handle it) that we went to after we completed our hike.

The day before Emily R. and I arrived, Emily S. had met two incredibly kind and fun Israeli guys doing their post-army trip around South America. We met up with them in Puerto Natales and hung out with them that night. I felt really comfortable with them and in this new place brushing up on my hebrew and talking about where we would be for Pesach, comparing where we lived in Jerusalem etc. The Emilys told me that it was really interesting for them as well to learn about Israeli culture, something they had never done before.

The next day we ran around Puerto Natales picking up the last things we needed, gas for our portable stove, warm socks, I got a sweet mugger-looking green hat, and of course, more snacks for the trail. We met these awesome Australians who will make their way back into the story a little later!

We then headed on to Torres del Paine, or as I refer to it, THE BEST AND MOST FAVORITE THING I HAVE EVER DONE! Catchy name no? Stay tuned this week for the post about it!

Ciao!

The Andes from the airplane

An island that looks like an upside down E.T. 

View of the south from the airplane, so breathtaking! 

BEFORE check out our packs!

Our bus ad. 

View from the bus

Israeli friends at Mesita Grande

Packing up at our hostel getting ready for the meat and potatoes of our trip!