Hope? on 12/30/19:

Today we made our way to Argentina. The country welcomes us with a dilapidated-looking border post. We continue towards La Esperanza (which translates to 'Hope'), as there is supposed to be a gas station there. There is, but despite the many VISA stickers, they only accept cash. We don't have any Argentine pesos yet, but we have dollars (we don't have any left) and euros, thankfully. We cash out our last euros. That's just how it is with high inflation!

Upon arriving in El Calafate, the city presents itself as a mecca for backpackers, meaning it has loud bars. The hotel is nice, but some of the staff members are quite unfriendly. Our first impression is that Argentinians haven't invented friendliness. We were really spoiled with friendliness in Chile. During dinner in the city, we can't get any of the things we want to order, except for the steak, but it's not prepared as requested and therefore tough. It's a shame, considering we're in the birthplace of good steak.

Oh yes, the cash here. At the ATM, you can get a maximum of 1000 Argentine pesos with the credit card, but only for a fee of 378 (!) pesos. Almost 40% fees! A proud price, but for this money, you can now park in the city for approximately 31 hours or buy an average bottle of wine. In short: the country is in decline, inflation is enormous, causing shortages in all areas, and people are completely annoyed and unfriendly. It won't be difficult for us to return to friendly Chile. But for now, we're excited about the Perito Moreno Glacier.