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Published: December 26th 2009
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Control tower in El Calafate
We were invited up tot he tower cab to meet the controller. This would NEVER happen in the States because pilots can't be trusted. Day 5
Today we head out for El Calafate in Argentina. It was about a 3 hour flight. The airport is small but has a newly paved runway and is surrounded by gorgeous mountains with snow caps. Upon arrival we are allowed the privilage of climbing the spiral stairway to the control tower. Thankfully, Junior is bilingual and is able to converse not only in conversation with the local but also in aeronautical lingo as well. We met the one airtraffic controller and took in the awesome view of the landscape.
Following the tower tour we exited the airport and met our driver, Rene. He is quite the chatty cathy, which is good for tourists. He escorted us to our hotel along with providing us an explaination of the name of the city. El Calafate is named after a bush that produces a small berry similar to a blueberry, and is found locally.
The weather here is mildly windy and a bit chilly. We are dressed in layers but are comfortable.
Our hotel is very rustic and remindes us of the cabins that we would see in Big Bear, Ca. The walls are wood and
the heat is produced by a radiator. A stroll downtown is also reminiscent of Big Bear, with little shops selling knick knacks with the name of the area.
For dinner we attend a restuarant called La Tablita. It was highly recommened on the internet. Junior is tired and stays at the hotel for extra rest. As we enter we are greeted by warm air and a window between the waiting area and a large fire pit. Surrounding the fire pit are lamb carcasses on stakes and remind us of a scene from "Silence of the Lambs". I know it sounds gross but it is really a wonder to behold and is hard to describe in a favorable way.
We enjoy wine while we wait to be seated. Most of the wine on the menu is from a region called Mendoza in Chile. Malbec is the popular variety here, so of course this is what we drink. While, we wait we meet people from San Fransisco and Turkey.
At the table we review the menu and see that this region is must be known for it's meat. In general, the Patagonia region is well known for it's lamb and
Silence of the lambs
Real meat in a country thats not a bunch of tree huggers wool production. We ordered the platter with steak and lamb with a side of vegetables. The food is definately the best since we have begun this trip. We feel as though we are eating like kings When the platter of meat arrives, it is served over a bed of coals and is loudly sizzling. The aroama is amazing! We fill our bellies with wine, lamb, and steak that are so good it cannot be described. Of course, the company is excellent and despite being married for over six years we still flirt with one another with winks and toasts.
After dinner we make our way back to the hotel. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on the couple, we have two twin beds in our room. Sleep finds us quickly but is needed because we have a big day tomorrow.
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