After more than 3 days on multiple buses driving north from the "End of the World," we stumble off the last bus into a bustling station in Osorno, Chile. It is dark outside, and as we step off the bus the humidity begins to seep into our clothes. In consistent style, we have no idea where we are going to stay. We flip through the pages of our 8-year-old Lonely Planet and start heading in the direction of some hospedejas. We find one and settle in for the night. It is not the nicest place in the world, but we´ll only be here for a night. Right?
We came to Osorno to prepare for a trek around a volcano that had been recommended by friends. After three days on a bus, no one really feels in tip top condition including Beth. We had been sleeping on a bus the last three nights, eating junk food, listening to podcasts while we watched the world to go by. We were ecstatic to sleep on a bed that was horizontal.
When the next morning rolled around Beth was feeling worse. For three more days, Beths intestines waged war on a gnarly South America virus and I wandered around the city. On day four, we went on a mission in search of healthcare. We ventured into a local clinic, made an appointment, and Beth saw a doctor later that day. Her experience was positive. I was impressed that she saw a doctor and was given medication at absolutely no cost. To make a long story short, we have been here for seven days and Beth thinks shes finally licked the bug. Orsorno is not a tourist town, but it is a nice town and very inexpensive. I think that the Lonely Planet says not to bother with Osorno, but I would have to disagree. This busy little town has a good thing going. The plazas are busy and clean, there are markets here where you can get everything from socks to sugary fried peanuts (which we love) and the fruit and vegetable stands are beautiful and plentiful. I think that most of all it seems like an normal town. This trip has so far been filled with amazing sights, both natural and man made, and it´s a nice change of pace to spend some quality time in a place that paints a clearer picture of an ordinary life in Chile.
Beth is feeling better now. We decided to bow out and skip our volcanic adventure. We are heading back into Argentina tomorrow in search of some fishing before the season ends.
Interesting you liked Osorno. I only changed buses there, but met an American couple who said that, walking through the streets the Osorno or eating in restaurants therein, talking English to each other, they were hissed at and had other problems (had to leave restaurant) -- so anti-gringo were the population, unlike anywhere else in South America. Saludos de Puerto Madryn!
ReplyDelete