Day 97 : Hitch Hiking Adventure to the National Park

I did my first solo hitch hiking today, and the whole experience was really fun!

I have hitch hiked when I was with Aliang in Paraty a couple of times, but never on my own.  It was daunting initially, and I wouldn’t have done it, if Federico had not assured that it was safe.  Furthermore he mentioned that it should be easier to hitch hike on a Saturday as more people will be going there.

Federico also shared that the cost for a return trip on a special bus to the National Park is ARS80.00 (about S$25) vs taking a public bus at ARS2.70 to the main highway (National Route #3), and then hitch hike, since anyone travelling on that National Route #3 would usually be going to the National Park.  Big difference in price!!!

I also realised that drivers who are more open to hitch hikers are usually industrial workers or young people.  On the way to the National Park, I had to take 3 different vehicles.  The 1st one was because I had dropped off from the public bus much earlier than where I should be stopping, so ended up having to commence my hitch hiking much earlier than expected. 

A few cars passed by, but none was willing to stop.  Finally, a recycling truck pulled over, with 2 guys in the front seat, and I told them I wanted to go to the National Park.  They were heading a different direction, but told me that they could drop me off at the main circle where one route leads to the National Route #3.  Great!

About 5 minutes drive later, the driver stopped at a split road and told me that he will be turning left, while the National Route #3 is on the right.  So I got off and said my thank you’s and started walking towards the highway.  With about 5km to the National Park, I did the universal sign of hitch hiking to any vehicle that passed by. 

I must have walked for about 100m or so before a car finally pulled over.  He told me that he is working at a construction site mid-way between where we were and the National Park and he could drop me off around there.  So I hopped on and we made our way. 

I dropped off about 10 minutes later and got great panoramic views of the countryside.  So I took the opportunity to take some photos before continuing my journey.  I must have walked for another 300m before a car finally pulled over.  2 boys, probably in their early 20s, pulled over and they were going towards the National Park!  Finally!

So I hopped on and then I realised that the driver had a big beer bottle in his hand and was taking sips of beer from time to time.  He looked pretty sober still, so I didn’t feel too paranoid.  I know that Argentinians drink a lot, but at 10.30am in the morning!?! 

We finally reached the National Park where I paid my entrance fee and subsequently continued our way towards the start of one of the treks, where I got off and thanked them for the lift.  Success!

On the way back, I was a little luckier.  I had just got off the trekking trail about 8km away from the main entrance of the National Park (and with 20km to travel back to Ushuaia), and within a few moments, a car with a young couple pulled over, and gave me a lift near to the start of the National Park entrance.

I subsequently walked for about 100m and another car pulled over, this time with just 1 guy in his early 30s who was heading straight towards the centre of Ushuaia!  Moments later I realised he could speak fairly good English, and so we switched to speaking in English which was a great relief for me, as I was earlier concerned that there would be awkward silences throughout the whole journey.

He introduced himself as Jesus and as it is not common to be driving into the National Park alone, I asked why did he visit the National Park by himself.  Jesus shared that he is from Buenos Aires and had just arrived in Ushuaia to supervise some work sites. 

As it was the weekend and not knowing what else to do in Ushuaia, he decided to drive into the National Park.  In our conversations, I also mentioned that I was planning to visit Playa Largo tomorrow, and asked if he had been.  He said he hasn’t and so I invited him to join me to Playa Largo and arranged to meet at 11am the next day! 

Yay, I have got company to trek around Playa Largo and I don’t need to hitch hike tomorrow!