Lessons Learned

One month into the South American adventure: it has become difficult to distinguish where odd odors from my backpack are originating, or to remember a life without shower shoes. Oddly enough, i cannot get enough of the maddening vagabond lifestyle. This feels like a seemingly appropriate moment to share a few noteable lessons learned on the road.

1) Argentineans not only appreciate exact change at the register, in most cases they demand it in a rather hostile manner. I am still trying to figure out why people in this country holds onto their coins as if they are gold.

2) Wine Bottles can be opened just as successfully without adequate tools, such as a cork screw. The secret is to push the cork in while artfully avoiding the squirt that often follows. (ok I will admit that I learned that a few years ago in Spain) Chris has really mastered this skill though; perhaps because he carries knives with him whereever he goes?!

3) People around the world actually enjoy meeting Americans now because it allows them the opportunity to discuss Barack Obama and congratulate our country on the decision that has been made. I already appreciate what our 44th president has done for Americans.

In many situations lessons are learned through minor mishaps. A daily routine as simple as visiting the supermarket can go horribly wrong. Although Chris and I meant to order un cuarto (1/4 KG) of ground beef, the butcher heard cuatro (4 KG) of our order. Chris turned to me at the end of the debacle and simply stated ¨Just when you think your Spanish is improving you end up with 9 lbs of beef.¨

The only unfortunate part of any of this is that the time is passing quickly. Aside from New Years celebrations with some Mexicans and a Colombian, most of the recent days have been spent in El Chalten camping deep in the mountains carefully NOT spending money.

El Chalten is a rather peculiar place: a sleepy town, yet it is crawling with tourists from around the world who are adorned in their finest trekking gear. Most likely they are trying to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fitz Roy.

Our personal camping experience along the massive mountain involved a hike back down to civilization on day 2 simply to liven up the adventure with some whiskey. We went to great extremes for our prized bottle of booze. The ascent back up to the campsite made us question our motives as dark storm clouds began to form around the peak of the Mt. Fitz Roy. While Chris and I crossed the field it suddenly felt like we were in a scene from Lord of the Rings about to enter into a dark evil world of pending doom.

Fortunately we have lived to tell the tales of silly mishaps and battles with ominous weather. Tomorrow we venture south to Puerto Natales Chile where it will be time to explore another South American Country...more lessons to learn.