I couldn’t do it anymore… I wanted to give up. We were hiking 1 kilometer up the base of a steep volcano to get to a mirador (look out point). We had already been hiking for I don’t even know how long. I was far behind and I kept telling myself “Fuck Jaime you are so out of shape.” and “Damn Jaime why do you do this to yourself didn’t you just fail at hiking up a volcano like a few days ago?” and just then when I was about to give up my friend Ingrid said “Do it for beer credit!”… I said “What?”… she said “yes, all the calories you are burning now you can enjoy all the beer you want after without feeling guilty.”… I was left in awe I had never thought of that. Not that I ever think about the empty calories that beer gives me when I drink it. I mean I love drinking and drink whenever and never feel guilty as long as I’m not drinking and driving. Okay sometimes I do feel guilty when I do stupid shit, but that’s a whole other subject I don’t wanna get into, but I’m sure my friends and family at home would love to share…lol.
When she told me that though, a lightbulb lit up in my head and it was like the sky parted and angels started singing AHHHHHHHHHHHHH in a high pitch voice that was just magical. I had honestly never thought about it like that. I had thought about it for food. I love food so sometimes I do work out so I can be a fat ass on the weekends, but beer never. So from that moment after I was like I got this… and kept going and made it to the mirador and it was just so worth it.
—The view from the Mirador was that of Lago Todos Los Santos.—
—Behind us was a perfect view of Volcano Osorno.—
We were in Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales. Created in 1926 it is the oldest national park in Chile. It’s located about an hour from Puerto Varas and is easily accessible via public bus and is a great place to spend the day doing several hikes available. Sadly we were there during the end of FLY season. Yes a few weeks out of the year it’s infested with huge flies. Literally they are about the size of a US nickel and follow you along. I have photos, but preferred not to show them because seriously it wasn’t cute and gives me goose bumps every time I see them.
—The start of a long hike around the park with Volcano Osorno in the distance.—
—Walking away from Volcano Osorno to the lake.—
After hiking for what seemed like for ever and after making it to the Mirador we started make our way to the lake so that way we walk along the shore line to get back to the exit of the park. By the time we made it to the lake we were all tired of the flies and a bit hot. As soon as we saw the lake we all looked at each other and knew we wanted to jump in. None of us brought our swim suits so we did what any human would do… we immediately stripped to our underwear and jumped into the lake. OMG the water was freezing cold, but just too fucking beautiful. The water was so clear and the lake was so deep. Literally right after stepping in the slope just goes down and who knows how deep it goes. It was nice to be in the water and not have flies all around us. The worst part was yet to come.
—The shore line of Lago Todos Los Santos.—
—The water was just too beautiful we had to jump in.—
They had warned us that for some reason the flies get even crazier and multiply when you are walking by the lake and that was the case. As soon as we got out we were all swarmed by the flies. Because my underwear was wet and I was in jeans I didn’t want to get them wet. So I went commando and put my jeans on without underwear and well I used my underwear to cover my head and ear because the sound of the flies was the worse part. So yeah I had my underwear on my head so it could dry and so I could at least keep the flies away from my ears. I have a photo of my underwear covered in flies, but yeah not sharing it here either. Sorry y’all it’s just disgusting… just imagine it… seriously. Ugh got chills just thinking about it now.
—Trying to get a photo with Volcano Osorno behind me when flies attacked.—
So we finally made it back to the entrance/exit and somehow the flies suddenly disappeared and it was nice to be back to normality. We had been hiking for several hours and were all exhausted but all excited about all the beer credit we had earned. We arrived back to town and went straight to the supermarket and bought what was needed for a fresh healthy dinner to make at the hostel and each our own little six pack. That night we drank to a great day, great memories and hiking for beer credit!!!
The part about the underwear seriously made me laugh out loud! Haha 😀 but hey, great thinking though!
And I like what your friend said regarding the beer credit – that’s definitely a new way of looking at it. A brilliant way, I’d say. I will just name it ‘wine credit’ instead. :-p
Also, I’d be running for my life if I came face to face with those flies. That’s just terrifying!
Zascha Friis recently posted..What kind of traveller do I want to be?
OMG Zascha, if you only saw the photos… seriously it was disgusting and so freaking annoying & yes we tried walking as fast as possible out of the park. Oh and and type of drink credit is an amazing way to look at it. I mean yes it’s look word hard to enjoy later lol.
Ha! I just did this a couple days ago, I knew I was going to be drinking beer all night, so I went to the park and ran. I guess I could have just not run and NOT drank the beer, but where is the fun in that! Great photos my friend, Volcano Osorno is friggin’ gorgeous.
Bajajajaja Scott, ” I could have just not run and NOT drank the beer” yeah no fun in that. So glad I am not alone. That volcano is probably the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Most times, it’s all about perspective. If you change the way you look at a hard task, then you trick your mind into telling your body that you can do something more than it thinks it can. I learned this when I started cycling hills a couple of years ago and gave up my car. Instead of saying, there is no way I can climb this long hill, I trick my mind into looking at it differently. I look at only chunks of the journey rather than the whole journey. It also helps to sing 80s pop tunes in your head as you grind your bike up a long ass hill 🙂
I have gone on hilly and long walks or punishing hill climbs on my bike locally for food credit. Usually, it’s if I know I want to eat something that I normally don’t eat, sort of my every once in a while cheat meal. The past couple of weeks, I have been really disciplined about my food credit. Whereas I normally exercise a few times a week, I’ve been walking, jogging, or cycling every day. While I don’t go out of control with my eating, at least I don’t feel so bad if I over-imbibe one meal.
I love your comment Summar, because I have learned that. The more I hike the more I understand that it really is about taking it a little at a time. Take it portion by portion and you will be able to finish it. Oh & yes music helps so much. Oh I am seriously going to miss Patagonia when I leave. I would have never imagined that when I arrived. It’s changed me…like seriously. And well all these hikes do help for when we eat our cheat meals jaja.
OMG Jaime please upload a pic of the flies! The story is hilarious as it is, but I need visuals lol. I would have died… I hate insects. I have been following your trek and I really like that you are not afraid to say something sucks or was difficult. Not many bloggers do! I look forward to your posts cause they are refreshing! Don’t lose your blogging mojo 🙂
Isabel recently posted..Chichén Itzá: Izzy Visits Her First World Wonder
Bajajajajaja Isabel, I can’t. It’s really bad & just scary. Those fuckers were massive. I am so happy you enjoy my post. I will keep them coming. Working on a few more now to have scheduled for the next few weeks. I won’t lose my mojo. 😉
My cheeks are hurting on stopping myself from laughing out loud at work Jaime! My visuals took way of your outstanding experience. Must have been awesome regardless of the nickel size flies.
Again, thanks for sharing your amazing trip and Salud from Los Angeles Amigo!
Oh Sal it was amazing… yup regardless of the flies.
Haha, this is a brilliant story and a good way of thinking!! I’m gona try this although mine will be vodka credit lol.
Oh I love Vodka… that’s a good one lol.