The 40 Day Two

Over breakfast we met Juan, the homeless singer who hails from Spain. He wanted nothing more than companionship and could still carry a tune.

The Route continued outside of town. We hiked past the run down homes and sheep as the people wondered what the gringos with huge backpacks were doing in their little community.

It only took ten minutes. A Chilean with a new Ford pickup stopped and we went with him 400 kilometers to the town of Perito Moreno. The Chilean was a man of few words. The day was spent watching the desert pass by.












The campground in town was fifteen pesos a person so we walked out to the desert where we could sleep for free. Jonas, a 22 year old German we had met in El Chaltén, was at the edge of town trying to hitch. It was getting late and we invited him to camp with us for the night. He willingly accepted. He had no more clothes that those that were on his body, no tent, nor sleeping bag. In fact all that he did have in his backpack was a box of wine, some bread, and a little cheese.

Pétur tried to interview him for the film.
¨Jonas, what are you doing on your travels?¨
¨... I don´t want to be on film because I´m going to kill you,¨ he said in a German accent, followed by a pause a little too long for my comfort, ¨no, I´m kidding I came to see the Andes.¨

Jonas prefered to sleep by the fire. Rain came. He had nothing to cover himself. Haukur and Pétur were already in Haukur´s tent, leaving the only option mine. Jonas squeezed into my one man temporary home. Between the two of us, and our packs, we were quite cozy. I spent the night spooning the German.