Week 1- Ushuaia to Rio Grande- The People

Flying into Santiago and again into Ushuaia, I knew no one and Fidget knew 2 people from South America- one of her Colorado friends grew up in Argentina and another in Venezuela. I've now had the wonderful opportunity through those two to be graciously hosted and helped by two of their friends and their friends and friends of friends. It truly is an amazing and wonderful part of a culture to continue practicing hospitality based on a person's word. I have witnessed and experienced people in the U.S. helping others, though not to the extent I've witnessed here.

As I am learning more and more down here, it's not what you know, but who you know. Our trip thus far has been an amalgamation of people we meet through other people. Fafay connected us to Cris, who let us stay at his apartment in Santiago. Gaston connected us to Cocó, who let us stay with her in Ushuaia and connected us to Hernan, who helped us with a food drop and connected us to Dani. Dani helped us with a route through Tierra del Fuego, and connected us to Marcelo, who we stayed with in Rio Grande.

Neon, Fidget, and Dani (whom we've renamed 'Coach')

There are many others that Fidgit has reached out to along the way that have been able to help us with questions about the area and other random things. We're also continuing to be given contacts. We've also met and befriended camp hosts and fishermen who helped us cross Lago Fagnano and other random people who have again and again gone out of their way to assist us.

In the United States,  there are wonderful people who also give and give, though from my experience they exist in certain pockets of the country. It's as if the trust in people isn't there and has to be built. Here, it seems to be a prevalent part of the culture, as if trust is there if vouched for by a friend and as long as you don't break it, you're in the clear, and people are happy to help.

A friend of a friend's Estancia we stayed at

It's an interesting dichotomy for me to think about how these seemingly similar cultures have veered just enough away from each other for it to be so noticeably different a hundred or so years later. I also always say I thru-hike to restore my faith in humanity, and this hike (thus far) seems to be no different.

Perhaps people are more welcoming and helpful because Fidgit speaks Spanish so well, perhaps it's because they see two young girls traveling, perhaps it's because we are kindred spirits. Whatever the reason, I know we appreciate it and will not be taking it for granted or forgetting those who have helped us any time soon.

Boat ride across Estrecho Magellenes