01/15 If there was ever a place so woefully unprepared for the regular tourist season, El Chalten is it. The only thing they’ve figured out how to do well is charge a fortune for everything. A room in a hostel is US$ 81. That was a cheap place (they are all full so a room was out anyway–I guess if people are willing to pay outrageous prices they can charge whatever they want).
The only ATM in the entire town is out of cash, a common thing since my 2007 travel guide mentions it, there won’t be gasoline in the only gas station for 4 days and the internet connection is about the worst I’ve ever seen. There’s no way I’m going to be able to upload any pictures; I can barely check email. There are flies swarming over everything, including all the bread/pastries in the bakery because they don’t cover anything and there are no screens for windows/doors in Argentina.
Camping, and wait till you see the pictures of the “camping” area, was US$ 9.29. You would think for that much money they could hire someone to clean up after the throng of twenty-year old slob backpackers that have had mommy clean up after them all their lives but no. Instead, the eating areas are crawling with flies because the sinks are full of food and the tables never get wiped down. Masha and Jordi (Ukraine/Spain) are also staying here. They are riding down to Ushuaia too. Jordi hates it here more than I do if you can believe that. 
I would have liked to stay a few days but that’s not going to happen. I’ll stay one day to shop for a new hat and sunglasses and get some food. I heard the next big town, El Calafate, is just as bad.
The road was bumpy from the lake to town but it looks like the next bit is paved. Not sure how long that’s going to last but it’ll be a nice treat. Amazing mountain views today and the weather was perfect.
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