January 28 - Bus to El Calafate

Hi:
So today has three main features: crossing the border into Argentina, riding a bus for most of the day and arriving at El Calafate.

First, a view of the confusion at the bus station in Puerto Natales.  As soon as a bus arrives, everybody rushes it to toss in their packs.  Seats are assigned on the bus, so why rush?

Crossing the border, part 1: About 3 km from the actual border, we come upon the Chilean border post.  here, we get out, line up, they check our documents and we leave.  There is a scanner here for them to check baggage for those entering Chile.

Down the road we drive.  A couple of km along, there is a sign "you are now in Argentina."  Nothing in site, we keep on driving.




Then we come across the Argentinian border post (little brown shack).  Get out of the bus, line up and they check documents.  I get a bit more scrutiny to make sure I have paid the Reciprocity Fee.   At some point in the past Canada and Argentina started charging each other's citizens to enter their country.  I had paid it and I had the certificate.  The Dutch fellow beside me on the bus did not suffer this fee and was somewhat amused by it.

BTW, the power was out at the Argentine station - no lights, no computers, no passport scanners, etc.  Bad first impression.  The power lines to this station were down all over the place.  They may have a (non-functional) generator.  Why not a wind turbine? 


One of my first impressions of Argentina.
This side of the mountains it is rolling flat and dry.  We stopped at a gas station for a break. The Dutch fellow bought some cheese from a street vendor.  Great Cheese!  I wish I had bought some.  

BTW - Ian - I saw my first machete on this trip.  The vendor beside the cheese guy was selling them.  Want one?




Arriving in El Calafate - I am in a hostel up the hill.  Great staff (young and they speak English).  I am probably the oldest old fart in the place.

Downtown for dinner.  We are up on a hill and I can walk down these stairs to town.  El Caf is very prosperous and neat looking.  Houses are generally on their own lots, (not right against the street like Puerto Natales).  Tourism is definitely a driver here.

Main street - lots of trees, and lots of bustle.  Much better impression than the border.

A little market just off the main street.  

 Another view coming into town.  The houses are spread out more.  The main part of downtown is in a bit of a valley - this is a view of the other areas.

Nice house, eh?  Note the green lawn.  Apparently, the president of Argentina has a house somewhere in town.  El Caf is definitely on the up and up.

AS I told you I've booked into the hostel.  We're well off enough to not be dorm types, so I have a private room (I don't need a hair dryer in the next bunk at 0600 in the morning.

I've booked a tip to the glaciers tomorrow.  Will tell you all about it.