My Knight(ess?) in Shiny Armor

¡Buenas Tardes desde Puerto Varas, Chile! This morning I woke up to a beautiful clear blue sky day in Castro on the island of Chiloé and was hesitant to leave this magical, misty island - not to mention my cozy hostel with its rooftop terrace where I spent many hours reading and staring out at the bay below. Really, can you beat paying $10/nt for your own room, hot water, and views like that?!? Yet, I decided it was time to move on to a new locale. Time to see a new town. So after a long run along the bay with smells of salt and fish in the air, I packed up my things and boarded yet another bus to yet another new town.

And here I am - Puerto Varas, Chile - a beautiful, tidy resort town on the banks of Lago Llanquique with a stellar view of Volcán Osorno in the distance. After the clutter, noise, and chaos of Castro it feels slightly odd to be in a place that is so neat, clean, and full of tourists. It was kind of fun to feel like I was one with the gente for a few days! After Tuesday´s hike, I spent Wednesday wandering around Castro visiting the fish market where I ate some sort of shellfish that evidentally go for 20 Euros a piece in Spain, but we ate 6 for free! Im not a huge fan of slimy living species making their way into my mouth and down into my intestines, but, hey, when in Castro... I also made my way to various viewpoints throughout the city, and, most exciting of all, found a panadería that sells honest-to-goodness cake. Moist. Sweet. Delicious. I had to stop myself after several pieces! Thursday, I hitchhiked my way around the island to check out a few small towns, making friends with a some locals along the way - one of whom prepared me the most fantastic salad I have had in ages:). The towns are cute, quaint, have ginormous churches, beautiful views of the sea, and not much else. I really enjoyed the tranquility of these smaller towns. Oh, and it´s apple and blackberry season, so you can munch munch munch away on fresh fruit at every turn!

But I felt the need to move on, so off I went with my eye on Puerto Varas - a town in the lakes district of Chile, essentially along the same line as Bariloche. But, unlike Bariloche, other than this hulking, perfectly conical volcano some 60 kms off in the distance, it´s rather flat. My Spanish friend, Ane, with whom I hiked in Parque Nacional CHiloé , headed to Puerto Varas a few days ago. We thought we might meet up here, but she has moved on. However, in her wake, she has left me a whole slew of contacts - this girl is magic, I swear!

Ane is a very shiny chica. Shiny in the sense that she literally "shines." She can talk to anyone. Anyone. And make friends with them almost immediately. After 10 minutes they are inviting her to dinner, to go for a hike, to take off work to show her around town, and/or to stay at their house. I saw it in action on Tuesday and Wednesday and told her I MUST travel with her again at some point in the future to learn just how she pulls this off. She has no fear when talking to people. And is so open and genuine that people immediately take to her. I. WANT. THAT. But in the meantime, I will take advantage of the contacts she makes. And so today, when I got to town, I immediately headed to a local sandwichería in search on one "Fito." Ane befriended him upon first arriving on Wednesday afternoon, and he proceeded to take the next two days off work to show her the area. I went in search of food and some advice as to where to go around here. But within minutes, I was invited to stay with his family and eat authentic Chilean cuisine. Really? Are you serious? I dont know anyone here. I got here 30 minutes ago. And now I have an entire family with whom to spend the next few days. Does it get any better than experiences like this? So Im hanging around town for a few hours until he gets off work and then headed home to meet mom, dad, and his little sister. And who knows what adventures will ensue from there!! One day I hope I can be as generous to others as they have been to me during my time here!

Tomorrow, Im headed to check out some lakes in the area and then in a few days will head further north to meet up with Claudio, a friend I met a while back in Bariloche. Im "contact-hopping" you might say! Until the next aventura...VIVA!