I like Puerto Natales. To me, it has a charm like that of a small coastal fishing town — once-bright colours weather-faded to lovely pastels, silvery-grey worn wooden fences no longer neatly upright, plenty of the wonderful colours of rust; in short, Puerto Natales seems scruffy but in that functional, full-of-life way. Yes, tourism now dominates, but the town's far from being ruined by it.
Perhaps I'd feel differently about Puerto Natales in the mad chaos of the tourist high season or in the bitter winter when perhaps everything closes in on itself. But when I visited, I ended up thinking this is the kind of place I could settle for a while; find a simple place to rent, somewhere I could write and work on my Spanish and enjoy the birds and maybe get to know a few people. The reality — particularly the financial expense — would be a different matter. But the thought intrigues me.
Back there in a few days.
[24 November 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 14–45 mm at 14 mm, ISO 200, 1/100 at f16]
All content © 2011 Pete McGregor
Classically beautiful ...
ReplyDeleteBoat bones.
ReplyDeleteHola Pete! We felt the same way about Pto. Natales... We are in Pto. Varas now - another very nice town. When you return to Pto. Natales check out the little pub Baguales - english style ale for just $2 a pint (a real pint). Maureen
ReplyDeleteBarbara, beached boats seem utterly compelling; impossible to resist photographing.
ReplyDeleteZhoen — looks a bit like me at the moment. Need more Argentinian steak ;^)
Maureen, I'm back there now; checked out Baguales last evening but they apparently had nothing on tap, the stubby of stout was very good but very expensive, and when they started rearranging the tables in preparation for what looked to be an enormous party, I decided it was time to leave. Nice atmosphere, though.