The Unexpectedness of Travel

Today was a rainy and dreary day. I had to buy a postcard of the gorgeous volcano and waterfall as it was too cloudy to see it. Andreas our hostel owner and tour guide suggested a talk in a forest to see these 1000 year old trees and then go to the fish market because this wouldn't depend on the weather. I wasn't too enthusiastic but off we went.He brought rain ponchos that a fisherman had left for us but turned out we didn't need them.

father stopping for water for us, we bumped through the countryside of farms and germanlooking architecture to a park. We walked a kind of boardwalk trail through a forest filled with these now preserved trees. People used to make shingles and window frames of the wood because it repels water. It's very light and soft and doesn't hold much weight. But now they are endangered, and GIGANTIC,soaring into the air. they are a kind of evergreen called Alecia or something like that.

After our walk, we drove to the industrial port of PUerta Montt but down near the fishing port where we could shop a bit.WeranintoNils who had met us at the airport yesterday with Andreas.He is visiting with his Chilean wife Mary who is from PM. they joined us in this funky little two long table restaurant that they said was the best after we had walked through the fish market. Therewereguys scooping insides out of sea urchin-looking animals with their bare hands. Hige salmon, whole, smoked and filleted we there along with clams, huge mussels and other seafood.

At the restaurant this jolly older waitress seemed to know them all, Andreas said he brings a lot of tours there so she gave us a good price. She was always smiling. apparently her husband was in the back doing the cooking. Andreas warned me against ordering the salmon as it was farm-raised and not hood,filled with chemicals he said. We had some other fish that was big boned, fried and delicious! White wine came in small glasses,not wine glasses. Nils said they used to not be able to sell wine so you could order "tea" or "coffee" which meant white or red wine! Nils had this huge serving of mussels, chicken, pork, and potatoes. It overlooked the boats coming in. Nils and Mary live in Hamelin,as in the Pied Piper of, near Hanover, Germany.He works with disabled adults and she works in a retirement home there. He spoke English quite well and she not at all.

We rested back at Casa Azulejo and then walked downtown for olovely chocolate mousse and on for me and brownie and wine for Betty in a little bistro. Turned out to be a pleasant, relaxing day after all.

Tomorrow we'll be on our cruise around Cape Horn!