Welcome to NOLS Patagonia, in Coyhaique, Chile.
Local weekend horse race. There is no official "starter." Both competitors turn their horses around and the same time, feel the other out, and then have to mutual agree to "go." However, this often takes 3, 4, 5, "tries" before both agree to start running their horses.
Competitor #1.
Competitor #2. Yes, he is basically sitting on a foam cushion.
Waiting for the start of the race, looking towards the finish line. The local people were betting and wagering on the horses. After the race, they collect Chilean pesos from each other.
At NOLS Patagonia, immitating the local race from a few days before. Both people are riding horses that live at NOLS. The race was a precursor for an asado (Patagonian barbeque) that we had later that night.
Eduardo (left) and Mauricio (right) starting their race. The grey horse wins.
Getting the cordero (sheep) ready for the asado. Left is KG, one of my mountaineering instroctors from India. Center is Eduardo and right is Sergio - both work at NOLS Patagonia full-time, taking care of the many animals (horses, sheep, cows, chickens, dogs, cats) and the property.
Sergio with the cordero before it starts its 4-5 hour roast on the fire.
NOLS India meets NOLS Patagonia. The last night before KG left, we had a big asado. Dylan, left, who was also on my course, happened to be passing through Coyhaique at the same time as both KG and I.
