3/2  Last night's asado bbq was delicious. Asado means roasted meat. It consisted of... mutton sausage, blood sausage, chicken, 3 types of beef, our trouts the boys caught , salad, potato salad, bread, red wine and beer.  We all sat at one large table and you got some of each kind. The only thing I reaaly didn't love was the blood sausage. The meal  started at 9:30pm and we ate and talked for a couple of hours.  One of the couples, who have been dating for7 years,  are in their 11 month of travel. Sam is from Australia and Marin is from the USA. they moved to Australia because in the US you only get 2 weeks vacation. In Australia any new job starts at 4 weeks and after 7 years it's 3 months. He is a civil engineer and they have not bought a house or car in an effort to save money for this trip. I can't believe how many couples we have met that have a similar story.
We got up early this morning, 6:30am to take a bus to el Chalten. We are going to spend one night there. It's about a 2 hour bus ride. Lots of hiking trails. We are hoping to do the 8 hour trek to Mt. Fitzroy. We'll see.
Some more observations
1.  Typical wear for 90% of the people we see here...hiking pants that zip off into shorts, tank top, fleece jacket, scarf, hiking  sandals and 2 backpacks (the little one for day trips onthe front and the large one with a  sleeping mat, tent and hiking boots hanging off it on their backs).
2.  In every category of things there are always exceptions. Earlier I told you how there is an ethics code among hostelers, well, someone ate our empanadas we had in the fridge. So unusual, but I guess it can happen.
3.  Everyone should do a trip like this to realize how little you actually need.  I love only having 2 pairs of shorts and pants and 4 shirts. Makes life so easy.
4.  There is a type or sense of freedom in not knowing anyone or being in an atmospere where people live day to day with just the basics. G says you can not shower everyday, not shave your legs, wear the same clothes over and over and it just does not matter. As I write this and read it over, it comes across as if it means that all sense of propriety goes out the window, but that is not it. It is more of realizing that stuff we have been conditioned to do or be is very regimented and confining. Having said that certainly does not mean when we get back we are going to continue this behavior.

The 3 hour trip went quick. Before we got to the bus station, we stopped at the glacier National Park information center, we we got a mini lecture about how to keep the glacier water clean and pure. You can drink it right out of the creek, river or lake.  We checked into our hostel. A little different this time. We are in a six bunk room. Wonder who the other two will be?  Then it was off on our 22 km, 7 hour trek to see the glacier and lake.  Even though it was really far, it was  wonderful weather and only 2 sections were steep. A really nice hike. We met some girls from our other hostel. Along the way we passed 2 different people (1 woman and 1 man) who were trekking barefoot. I couldn't believe it. There were rocks, pebbles, sticks, hot sand, pine branches... and the list goes on. All the terrain was super uneven to say nothing of the fact that you have to walk on the hot pavement, both before and after the trek.  The woman had dreadlocks, was braless and looked like she was carrying all her wordly possesions...even her guitar. Need I say more?
Once back in town, we stopped for dinner at a very small, little restaurant. Had some chicken filled bread. Really good.  After, we went looking for a replacement water bottle. Seems we can't find my red one with the stickers. Bummer!
No luck on the bottle, so tomorrow when we get back to Calafate we will have to get one. I have already replaced my stickers.Everyone is watching a futbol match on tv. It's getting a little rowdy.  Early to bed, 10 pm, because another 6 hour trek tomorrow. 
This picture is of T and I at the Laguna Torre in front of Glaciar Grande. It was at the end of the 11km, 4 hour trek in.