Los Antiguos/Chile ChicoDec 3, 2005
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| From Chalten I bused it up the famous Route 40 in Patagonian Argentina. this road holds a mystic to it much like our Route 66 back home. references to this famous road can be found in their music and art. the road is nothing but a bumpy dirt track that runs the entire length of the country. they are making big plans to pave it, that settlement theme again. it would be a shame to pave it because with easier roads comes growth and population density. i feel lucky to have traveled on it while it is still in its desolate state. the scenery from the bus window was breathtaking. i have never felt more isolated in my life. nothing for miles and miles! an ocational guanoco, wild horses, nandu, armadillo but very few people or habitacions. at the refueling stops we stayed at i got a chance to meet some honest to goodness gauchos. these guys were rip with wildness and it was a great experience. Los Antiguos is a very small little town completely off the gringo trail. i am the only turist in town. it feels strange to be so far removed from anything close to my way of life. i had a difficult time making arangements for a bus to take me to Chile. luckily the people are very rural and as such arent in a hurry. we worked our way through it with my dictionary and their patience. the town is agriculturally based. a unique micro climate produces cherries, strawberries and apples. the cherries i am told are exported as far away as Europe becasue they are such high quality. the town is having a huge cherry festival soon to celebrate this years harvest. unfortunatly i will miss it. going to catch a local soccer match tonight. i will be the only gringo in the stadium. should be fun. |
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