Ingredients for an adventure

Sometimes not to be fixed on something is a good thing. Not always easy to endure not knowing but it seems to be my current path. I should be in Argentina now…

But chance had it that I am not. The Christmas day had me full of anxiety and worry on how it is going to be in South America. I cannot even tell you why. Maybe it was because I never have really been on this continent (except for a short business trip to Brazil), or that I am going solo (nothing new though) or that it is going to be for a long time (maybe) or that this is finally what I wanted to do for such a long time and now I feel stage fever. Anyway! Courage is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of it.

But then the last days of 2021 had a special surprise in for me. While United sent me the preflight check I found out that also for transit one needs a visa in the US. Of course, normally that is not a big deal as you can do it online. I did, but the trip to Sudan put me on the black list (of potential terrorists? WTF!). The time was too short for a real visa and thus I had to change my flights. I was not happy, to put it midly. In reality, I was on the floor. I lack the former coolness in handling those kind of things. Something I want to regain.
Maybe (for sure!) this whole hassle was a blessing in disguise. While looking for new flights I found out that Chile slowly opens its land borders and that opened up a whole different kind of trip, where Patagonia is the connection between Chile and Argentina.
It really depends on how I connect the dots in how I feel or vice versa. When feeling good the dots make sense in that way and when not in another. So, why not rather always choosing the positive possibility?

So, on 4th of January I touched down in Santiago de Chile. I won’t go into detail what documents I forged in order to get into the country. I’m in and that is what counts 😀
Chile requires you to make a PCR test once arrived. While I was in line I tried to figure out what it would cost: Nothing!
I had to go to my hostel directly and stay in quarantine though. It took until midnight to receive the negative result. Now I am free!

Santiago received me with sunshine and temperatures around 30 degrees. Wow, how cool is that!
However, I wanted to get out. I booked the first night bus to Pucón. While there are no (passenger) trains in Chile anymore, the bus system is superb. It felt like business class. Welcome to the developing world! The ticket was around 50 EUR for a 10 hours drive covering 800 km.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Pucón. Not sure what to think of it. Frankly, at times I wondered if I am in Chile. This town could have been anywhere in the US as well. For a start, the street signs/markings are similar. But then also the houses reminded me of the US. However, the biggest eye catcher where the cars. I mean, damn, what’s with all those big SUVs and pickup trucks? I understand Pucón being a vacation destination but all of them visitors? I don’t think so. Good for Chile that they have a good way of life…at least here. More to be discovered.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Highlight was climbing the vulcano Villarrica. Active vulcano to be clear! Thanks to Corona not 200 people a day climbing it but maximum 80. Better for me.
We had a gorgeous day and were rewarded with views over a blue lake and many more vulcanos in sight. It was a strenuous hike and especially above 2000 altitude meters my aversion of altitude kicked in.
Unfortunately, you won’t see any lava. But maybe not so bad after all 😉 There is lots of gas/smoke coming out of it and at times you really need to use the gas mask they provide.
Funnily, my highlight was the way down. No, not walking but sliding! I have no pictures of it but many happy memories. Basically, you put on a second pair of clothes, gaiters and something to protect your ass. Plus, you have a plastic slide. Your break is the ice pick. While this sounds intimidating, it isn’t. It’s fun like hell! 😀

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I have the opportunity to encounter some of my inner demons. Like the one to not feeling connected. After all, I am traveling solo. At times I can talk to people, like after the hike, but then I also fall in a hole seeing others are traveling with somebody. And it is in a way funny to observe me and my need to connect but when I do, I do not know what to add to the conversation. Life is a mystery.
But it is good to get out of my own head and that happens already with a short chat…preferable from the opposite gender 😉

Just after the first few days I can say that it is crucial to speak Spanish here, at least a little bit (as me). One thing is to get things done, but also just to connect to people. Or to quote Nelson Mandela:

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Now I am on my way further south. Valdivia is my next stop.

Love,
Matthias