10.03.23

After a sparse toast breakfast, I unsuccessfully try to withdraw money from all the banks in the city, only to find out that they all obtain their cash through Western Union (which explains the 30m queue in front of the only branch in El Calafate). Cash withdrawals are regulated due to government inflation control, sometimes limited to a maximum of laughable 2000 pesos (depending on the exchange rate between 5 and 10 euros). Luckily, I still have plenty of CLP that I exchange.

In the afternoon, we head to the Perito Moreno Glacier, the one and only attraction around El Calafate, about 80 km and one and a half hours by bus. On-site, you can enjoy various viewpoints of the Perito Moreno Glacier on kilometers-long metal walkways (one of the few glaciers still growing). Thanks to the convenient accessibility, the paths are accordingly crowded with tourists. However, the glacier calving every few minutes with loud cracking noises makes up for it. On the way back, I chat in German and English with an Israeli. It's nice, but I would also like to speak Spanish again.

In the evening, for a change, I get back on the bus. We're heading to El Chalten, the trekking mecca in Argentine Patagonia, which is two and a half hours away.