I stepped off the plane in Santiago and was filled with joy. I’m not one to tout numbers, but I was so fucking excited because I had finally made it to South America. It was now continent number 5 and country number 32 that I have visited. I know it doesn’t matter at all and I can care less how many countries anyone has visited, but it’s nice to know how many you have visited for yourself. I know I don’t travel to tick countries off a list, so it’s all good. I was also excited because I was finally back on the road after going home for 3 months.
—On the metro in Santiago.—
South America has always been high on my list of continents to visit. I could have easily visited it during my first two year trip around the world, but made the decision to not go at all so I can focus on other regions of the world. I also didn’t want to visit because I did not want to just spend 3 months and have to travel quickly through it. So I told myself I would travel the world and when I get home plan another trip around the world and when I do I must spend at least 6-9 months in South America. Well here I am now… I have made it happen and those are my plans. South America is massive and I knew that, but now that I am down here I am seeing just how massive it is. Soon I will be taking a 24 hour bus ride and yeah I’m dreading it because I hate transportation days, but that’s a whole other dilemma.
I’ve now been in Chile for over 2 weeks and still can’t believe I’m here. I have never had a strong desire to visit Chile, but have always wanted to visit Patagonia so I am slowly making my way down there. Chile has surprised me so much though. I honestly had no clue how developed it was and how calm and nice the people are. It’s also very clean (my OCD appreciates that). I feel like I am traveling through a first world country. It also feels that way because it is so expensive. I would say it’s like traveling through a European country for sure. Well at least the places I have visited have made me realize those thoughts. While I was in Santiago a city of over 7 million people I felt like I was in a much smaller city. I didn’t feel the chaos I normally feel in large latin american cities. Everything was so orderly and people obeyed the laws. I would see people wait for the signal to cross the street. I actually find it fascinating and is why I travel… I love finding things out for myself and see how the rest of the world lives.
—The lights are green. It means go. Busy crossing in the heart of Santiago.—
—The view of Santiago from Cerro San Cristobal.—
—The view of Santiago from Santa Lucia hill.—
What is annoying me at the moment though is that I am traveling through the summer. I love summer and is why I am down here now because I hate winter, but that means it’s high season. I can’t remember a time I have traveled through high season. I don’t think I did once on my last trip. So at the moment I am having to actually make set plans to book hostels and buses in advance to make sure I have a place to sleep and way to move further south. I do not like planning too far ahead. Yes I have a tentative route and idea of what I am doing and seeing while I am here in South America, but never like having to plan a week or two in advance. I normally book a hostel 2 nights before and just show up at the bus station and get on the next bus out and never have any problems. In the end though I know it’s worth the hassle because I do not want to do this during winter and is nearly impossible to do so anyway. Also I am heading to the end of the world. Just thinking of that makes me smile from ear to ear because it’s just fucking insane. EEEEEEeeeeeeee!!!
Yes I am excited and loving life even though I failed at hiking a volcano already…lol. I don’t think that’s a sign for what is to come. I’m enjoying all the nature and all the hikes I am doing. If by the time I am done with Patagonia I am not in kick ass shape I don’t think I ever will be in my life. These hikes are exhausting and I’m doing several a week, but they are so worth it. The views are stunning and breathing in fresh clean air makes me feel like I’m cleaning my body from all the polluted air in major cities I’ve taken in. Anyway I told y’all I am back and it’s the truth, I am. I have already done many adventures and plan on sharing them soon. I know the further south I go the less and less time I will be spending online so please bare with me. Ahh it’s been awesome so far and know it’s only gonna get more awesome as I go down. I am just beyond happy that I finally made it to South America and plan on taking y’all along with me.
Awesome! I’m looking forward to your adventures down south already.
How are you finding your Spanish down there?
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Thanks & Ed. Damn good question and I was gonna mention that in the post, but thought of making it another post. So far I’m having some trouble. I do speak fluent Spanish so that helps ton, but sometimes I can not understand them. They speak very fast here and that’s not a problem the problem is the speak with their mouths kinda closed so it’s hard to understand. I am having to ask them to repeat themselves often and yeah it sucks. Oh well it is what it is and am starting to understand it now.
Wow
1) Welcome back! So happy to read you again!
2) If you, as a native Spanish speaker, are having trouble understanding them, I better work hard when it’s my turn to visit SA!
Thanks Lucie, but no worries I think you will be fine. Trust me I meet so many people on the road who only speak English and they are fine. So you should be too…lol. When are you visiting SA???
Well, I really want to go, but I have other places I plan to visit before SA:
1) I reserved an organized tour (yup, I know… but keep reading!) called the “Pilgrimage of Remembrance” that goes to notable WWI and WWII battlefields/cemeteries/cities with an historian as a guide (this is for 2 weeks this summer)
2) A friend of my mom has a son in Japan, she’s never been on a plane, and she’s looking for a companion (that would have to be next year: I don’t have any vacation time left after this summer)
3) A Philippina friend I met in HK this fall would like to show me her home country (we are now at 2017 if it goes according to plan…)
4) So, yeah, realistically, and unfortunately, SA should not happen before 2018 🙁
Well Lucie, your plans sound awesome and as long as it’s what you wanna do you are living life right. Gotta enjoy it while you can and do the things you want first. In 2018 S.A. will be different than what it is now, but that’s everywhere. By that time I may be home and well I may have to just follow you along on your adventure jaja. Keep doing what you want and make the most of life.
So great to hear you’re having a wonderful time!
I will be travelling to South America myself in August this year, after working for two months in a Summer Camp in Amenia, New York. So excited!
Will you be going to Peru (Machu Picchu, by any chance?). That is number one on my bucket list! 🙂
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Oh that’s awesome to hear Zascha… I think you are gonna love it. SA is huge with tons to see and do. I will be going to Machu Picchu for sure, but have no clue when just yet. It’s something I have always wanted to see too.
I will follow you on your journey. I want to go to SA next, so all the information will be really useful.
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I hope my post do help you out Jo and like always if you need anything let me know. Hope you enjoy the adventures I plan on sharing.
Hello!
I’m from Brazil and I’m going to Patagonia the chilean and the argentinian one, at El Calafate, El Chalten y Torres Del Paine. Are you going to each of those cities?
Hi Alberto, yes I sure am. I am actually planning all that out as we speak. When are you heading down there? It’s so busy right now cus it’s high season. So planning is required for sure.
Hi Jaime. South America looks awesome have fun! Are you interested in easter Island at all, if not consider it! It’s meant an absolute see! And I am currently in the process of the incredibly hard decision of choosing what countries not to go to! It’s so hard! 🙁
Well, congratulations! Hopefully, this happens to me this summer! :))
Thank you so much Alain. HOpe it does too & if you need anything let me know and if I can help will help.
I’d love to explore Chile too: north-south and to Rapa Nui. From the northern deserts to the cold south and from the great Santiago to the mysterious Easter Island!
Oh I so wanted to go to Easter Island, but not on this trip sadly. I will go back one day. On this trip I am going to Galapagos. I’m excited about that. As for the North of Chile I will be seeing a portion of it when I’m up in Bolivia.