Backpacking and Puerto Montt, Chile

I was gone for six days backpacking in Nauhi Huapi National Park outside of Bariloche. We started in Villa Catedral, a ski resort and made our way up the valley to Refugio Fray which lies on a lake and cirque of mountains. From that point on we were hiking in snow over a pass to another valley. Did some plant surveys and plenty of plant identification. Near the end of our trip we had to go over another pass which was absolutely insane. It had started raining the previous day so people were getting drenched and had to wear plastic bags in their shoes. We then had to kick step our way up to the top of the mountain while pushing against 50mph winds, sometimes the huge gusts were greater. Some of us had bamboo sticks for support and somehow we all made it safely to the top! We then had to scramble down scree and once in the next valley make our way through huge patches of mud and ford a river to get to the next refugio. We were greeted with warm tea and a dry place to hang out. Later that night Alicia and I treated ourselves to some wine while writing in our daily field journals. After this we headed out the valley back to Bariloche. Hopped on a bus to Puerto Montt, Chile and now here I am in a hostel wearing my new alpaca wool jacket wishing I could stay longer. We just arrived yesterday 10 December and leaving tomorrow for Bariloche for two week ¨winter¨ break. Alicia and I plan on heading north to some hot springs then heading south to do some backpacking. Chile is definetely different than Argentina. The food has more spice and the money is so different! It´s hard trying to think in terms of 10,000 pesos which looks like 10.000. The US dollar is roughly equal to 500 pesos here whereas in Argentina $1 US is approx. 4 pesos. whhheeeew. At least they always have enough cambio (change) unlike argentina where they have a shortage and always ask if you have cambio. There are similarities like the homeless dogs roaming the streets, although here they spend their days laying in the middle of the street or hacking up oyster juice of some sort. Puerto Montt is close to the Pacific Ocean so their markets are full of a variety of seafood and strange animal parts. For a while I thought dry animal intestines looked like some type of seaweed. Last night we ate in a bar and an old gentleman shook hands with every girl that came through. We were often called the gringos. Had plenty of beer and meat so I skipped breakfast today, I think this is why breakfast isn´t so popular. Random musicians would come inside and entertain for money. One guy even strummed his guitar, went to each of us and made fun of us. I got it easy, being the one he said was the most responsive to him. Whenever he came by I would look at him and smile, which he apparently enjoyed. Another wonderful week full of adventures.