It’s good to be back. After 36 hours of total travel time and jumping right into all the Christmas and New Years parties it really feels nice to be sitting on my couch in my apartment. I think I’m just happy to be sitting more than anything.
Still, my trip was incredible, originally I’d kicked around the idea of calling this post “Four Seasons in Two Weeks” since that’s really what it was. I left here in what was technically the end of fall, flew down to Santiago where it was 85 degrees and sunny, then south for the spring weather in Patagonia, then back up for more summer in Valparaiso and then finally home where winter had definitely settled in. I swear my body was still trying to figure out what temperature to keep me just a few days ago.
The trip started off with a historical bent because the day I flew into Santiago Pinochet had died. Well over half of the city was out either celebrating or rioting. People were pounding on the convenience stores trying to get them to open, just wandering around the streets with beer in hand, or dancing in little circles with people playing guitars or drums. To be there during such an interesting point in history was something I’ll never forget, but damn I’m still kicking myself for being so jet lagged that I left my camera in the hotel room.
And that was just the first day. The backpacking in Patagonia was unreal. It deserves the hype. After 3 nights and 4 days in Torres Del Paine complete with glaciers, jagged peaks, and ice falls, it’s far and away the best trekking I’ve ever done. Then the strolling through the streets of Valparaiso where Pablo Neruda once did will be something I’ll never forget. And finally just spending time with my sister was priceless. It’s been too long since we’d hung out and she was just damn cool to travel with, well except for when she was trying to tell me how to put up the tent. We’re still siblings after all!
Yes, it’s good to be back, but when I look outside at the pouring rain it’s hard not to wish I was back lying on the beach in Valapariso, eating an empanada and sipping a cold beer.