December 25, 2024

It’s Christmas!

But here, it doesn’t feel like Christmas as it does back home. There are a few decorations and Christmas trees, but nothing more. Although Catholicism is the predominant religion, there’s only one small, empty church in town. In southern Argentina, there’s also a significant presence of German and English heritage, which brings Protestant influences.

We celebrate in our own way, with friendship and an impromptu lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Glaciers, 6 km from El Calafate. The museum is fascinating, offering detailed and engaging explanations about the formation and life cycle of glaciers, with interactive displays. Everything is contextualized with the nearby glaciers, starting with Perito Moreno and Upsala—the largest, though not accessible for visits.

The two hours we spend at the museum fly by. Afterward, we try the Ice Bar experience, which is far less interesting. It’s a small, very kitschy venue where they serve “local” liquors like Campari and Fernet Branca.

In the evening, we plan the upcoming days and toast to Christmas.