Phase II: Family Visit

This seems like forever ago but it was only three weeks…

Day 21-23: Santiago, Chile

THE FAMILY ARRIVED! The best feeling in the world was running down the stairs of the hotel into my mom’s arms. Tears were flowing and I never wanted to let go. After the shock wore off of seeing each other, we went on a stroll through the city ending with lunch at Mercado Central and a long nap for Isaak.

Day two of their Chilean Adventure we “hiked” to the top of Cerro San Cristobal and saw the city from above despite all of the smog. Afterwards we went to the National Museum of Memory and Human Rights which was a big deal for me considering I am passionate about human rights and the dictatorships of Latin America are very interesting to me. I’m not sure Isaak and Mom got the same joy out of it as I did…

The next day is known as The Day We Almost Killed Mom… A long six hour hike in the mountains that ended with spectacular views and a glacier (not as spectacular).

Day 24-27: Vina del Mar, Chile

After a kilombo mess with the Rent-a-Car, we made it to the other side of the country (which really isn’t that far, only an hour and a half drive). With all of the stress from renting the car, driving the car through narrow Chilean roads, and then finding food before all of the stores closed for Christmas, everyone was pretty exhausted. Isaak napped, Mom and I went to the beach, and I swam in the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my entire life.

My second Christmas abroad was well spent! Fresh mango juice on the beach surrounded by people I love.

Isaak’s last full day in Chile was spent wandering the streets of Valparaiso, a city famous for its street art and steep hills. We walked past numerous murals, through cemeteries, and took an interesting elevator ride. After lunch we headed over to Concon to try our hand at sandboarding. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement. Isaak got a sled and was actually able to do things while I, on my wooden board, couldn’t go very far without falling over. To get all of the sand off our super tanned bodies, we went back to the beach where we got yelled at by the lifeguards for playing too aggressively in the surf.

On the last day, we visited the National Botanical Garden and the beach one last time before all heading to the airport to catch our flights. Isaak went home – Mom and I went to Punta Arenas.

Day 28-33: Chilean Patagonia

Our first day in Punta Arenas was spent wandering the almost antartic city. We saw viewpoints and markets, toured museums, and walked by the sea. The next day we were supposed to go on a penguin tour but the tour company knowingly sold us an overbooked tour and then tried to bait and switch. Bastards. Instead, we took the bus to our next destination and again walked around the city.

Perhaps Mom’s highlight of the trip: the Full Day – Torres del Paine Tour. We were picked up early in the morning and taken by bus around Chile’s most famous National Park. We saw guanacos, condors, foxes, and flamingos, pointed mountains and crystal clear lakes… My words will never be able to describe the raw and untouched beauty that is this small part of the world. See pictures below.

On the last day of 2016, we were yet again swept off our feet for an amazing boat tour through the Patagonian fjords to see glaciers and the endless beauty that is Patagonia. We were served whiskey over ice from an ice berg and nearly froze to death on the deck of the boat. The tour ended on a cattle ranch where we were serve lamb al asado and parrilla. For New Years, Mom stayed back in the hotel room while I went out with some people we met on the tours. Interesting night, but nothing terribly noteworthy.

Mom’s last full day in Chile was spent back in Torres del Paine. The views looked completely different because of weather; this time we were able to see the towers from far away and the blues of the water shined ever brighter. We concluded her trip with a fancy dinner and a long sleep. Teary goodbyes the next day and poof, just like that I am alone again.