I kept the following days pretty short, as not much actually happened and I didn’t take too many pictures. I hope that I can then write better reports about the various tours in Patagonia.
Visit of a cemetery – Samstag 19.11.2023
After looking at the “La Boca” district yesterday, today was another day of sightseeing. Today we went to the “Cementerio de la Recoleta”, a well-known cemetery in the city. At around 11 a.m. I set off on foot to the cemetery, which was almost 7 kilometers away. There I took part in a guided tour in which the history of the cemetery was told and the many special features were pointed out.
Since the cemetery was used for Argentina’s upper class, the city’s richest families built tombs for their relatives here. In the past, there was a real competition between rich families to see who could build the largest, most beautiful and most expensive mausoleum. The various mausoleums that you can see here are correspondingly elaborately designed. During the almost 2-hour tour, we repeatedly passed buildings made of marble and other noble materials. As we were told, in the past the materials mostly came from Europe. The marble statues were made in either France or Italy and the wood used was specially imported from Germany. According to today’s value, some families invested over a million euros in the construction of the family grave.
After the tour, I walked back to the part of town where my hostel was. I then had dinner in a small restaurant and watched the last minutes of the Germany game against Turkey, as it was surprisingly even broadcast there. Afterwards I went back to the hostel and planned the next few days.
Election day – Sunday 20.11.2023
Today was a very relaxing day for me. Since there was a presidential election in Argentina, most of the shops in the city were closed and there wasn’t much else going on. As I learned, voting was compulsory in Argentina and there was even a legal ban on the sale of alcohol until three hours after the election so that people could think soberly about the election and vote. So most of the bars were closed and even some restaurants were closed for a long time.
Since I didn’t have much planned for today, I strolled through the city. I walked through a large flea market that was bustling with activity despite the election. I didn’t really do much else.
In the evening I sat in the hostel with other travelers and we talked about our future plans. I went back to bed late at night.
Closer to the airport – Monday 21.11.2023
I had booked my onward flight to Patagonia for tomorrow. Since it didn’t start from the international airport, but from the smaller airport right by the sea, I wanted to make my way to a hotel today that was closer to the departure point.
I walked about 8 kilometers through Buenos Aires and soon arrived in the Palermo district, which is known for its many graffiti.
When I arrived at my hotel shortly before 12, I sat down and relaxed in one of the many cafes.
Afterwards, I checked into the hotel, rested in my room and looked into possible hikes in Patagonia.
Finally arrived in patagonia – Thuesday 22.11.2023
After a quick breakfast, I headed towards the airport. Somehow the route turned out to be further than I thought and so it took me almost 2 hours until I finally reached the sea and the airport. At least I was able to take a look at the sea, which I had previously only been able to see from the other side (from Spain ;)).
Then I went to check in my luggage, which took a surprisingly long time and so my time buffer was quickly used up. At least I went through security quickly and was soon able to get back on the plane to El Calafate. During the flight, I was able to occasionally look at the landscape below me, which was really impressive.
After three very relaxing hours we arrived in El Calafate and I finally reached Patagonia. From the airport we took the bus for another 20 minutes to the city, where I had booked a bed in a hostel today. When I got there, I went straight to a restaurant for dinner and then it was time for bed again.
Move on to El Chaltén – Wednesday 23.11.2023
Today we should continue north of Patagonia to El Chaltén. I would like to go on a few hikes there in the next few days and look at the wonderful landscape.
But before I set off on the bus, I had to get some more cash. Unfortunately, things were once again very complicated here in Argentina. After all, I was already warned at the hostel that I needed a copy of my ID and that I could withdraw a maximum of 180,000 pesos, or just under €180. Today I also went to Western Union, where I had sent money from Germany (digitally via credit card, of course). I had to wait in line for almost 2 hours to finally get my money. I got the money paid out today in 500 notes, so I had a big stack of money in my hands afterwards.
Equipped with fresh money, I walked to the city bus station. From here we continued north for 3 hours through the impressive landscape of Patagonia.
The landscape later became more and more mountainous and when we arrived in El Chaltén, I could already see the first higher mountains and it quickly became clear why so many mountaineers and climbers make their way here.
Since I hadn’t booked anything and all the cheap hostels on the usual online portals were already fully booked, I went to one of the campsites and got a place there. After a few weeks in bed, I finally put up my tent again for the night.
Afterwards I bought something simple to eat at a supermarket and cooked it on my small camping stove.
Later I wrote a short report and then I checked the weather for the next few days so that I could possibly go on a few great tours there. After that it was time for bed again or today for the tent.
When I finally lay back in my tent in the evening, I almost felt like I was in my own four walls and I was really looking forward to the upcoming tours. Satisfied, I fell asleep in my warm sleeping bag while the wind gently shook my tent again and again.
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