December 19, 2018 – December 28, 2018
We had an appointment for the truck in the town of Osorno for the 21st of December, so we camped for a few nights close by, then headed into town to the mechanic shop. After a few hours we were told that we had contaminated fuel, and that the system would need to be completely cleaned. The problem was that it was the Friday before Christmas, so they would not be able to work on the truck until the following Wednesday. We got the truck started, resupplied, and headed to a beautiful wild camp on Lago Ranco to await our appointment.
We found a great camping spot, in what looked to us like a pretty secluded place. I guess we were wrong on that as over the next few days several different groups of people showed up. Some parked close by, then walked to the neighbouring bay with a picnic basket, some unloaded a fishing boat and spent the day out on the lake, others turned around and left when they saw us set up.
Derek helped a man and his young son load a fishing boat on to their trailer at the end of the day, and found out they were at their family’s nearby vacation home for the holidays. On Christmas Eve, the fisherman and other members of his family came down to the beach with their young children and flashlights, out for a walk to see if they could see Santa Claus. We chatted with them for a while, and then, as they were leaving they invited us to their home for Christmas dinner the next day. We thanked them for their generosity, but had to decline, as we had booked ourselves an Airbnb for the 25th, and would be driving back into the city early on the 25th.
The next morning we packed up, were very happy when the truck started up without too much fuss and began the two hour drive to Osorno. We were surprised to find small shops open, expecting most stores to be closed as it was Christmas day. Along the route we saw, several times, multiple cars around a home and in the yard there would be a large pieces of meat (like we’re talking a whole sheep, goat or a side of beef) on a barbecue, with a group of men standing around it, drinking beer, making sure the meat roasted slow and even. I assume the women were in the house cooking the side dishes that would accompany the feast….I think we may have missed out on a real culinary experience when we turned down our Christmas dinner invite.
In Osorno we were happy to move into a two bedroom apartment in a beautiful, high end neighbourhood for a few days. We had planned on cooking a pizza, and had decided to wait until we were in our rental so that we could use their oven and not use up the propane in our camper. Derek got the pizza dough made and chopped all the toppings before we realized that there was no oven in the apartment, only a hot plate and a microwave…so off to the camper he went to bake the pizza.
We delivered the truck to the mechanics on the morning of the 26th, giving a little “whoo-hoo!” when it started up. By the 28th, it was ready to be picked up. The mechanics had dropped the huge 226 litre tank, drained it, cleaned it and all the hoses, and also cleaned up the lift pump. We were told that we were good to go, and so we packed up and we were happy to continue south.
We had read in our guidebook that Osorno was a town with little to offer the tourist, and while there were not many “tourist sites” in town, we really enjoyed our time there. We found the people to be very friendly and helpful. Here’s an example. Derek’s sunglasses had broken beyond repair…he had already repaired both arms with toothpicks glue and whipping cord, but this time there was not enough left to work with. We found a shop selling polarized construction glasses for a good price and when Derek told the owner of the store that we were on a long journey and were in town for a few days while having our truck repaired, the owner told us that if we needed anything that we were to come see him. He offered us the use of his internet should we need it, and then gave Derek a free pair of rubber coated work gloves….people can be so very kind.