Three hours early for a domestic flight?  Glad I heeded the advice.  Flying from Chile’s capital city?  Folks it’s a hot mess.  Check in, dropping a bag, clearing security.  2 hours 45 minutes.  Friendly & professional but just a select few working.  No criticizing our TSA, been schooled.

4 hour direct flight, southernmost city in Chile.  Touchdown, bag retrieval.  Last hour more turbulent as winds off the Andes pushed our small plane side-to-side – still, clear open skies in Punta Arenas.  Nodded to a taxi driver holding a sign marked $10,000.  Assumed Chilean currency & piled in.  Hotel Diego de Almagro por favor.  Room key, smile, nod, sorry no español.

Nuff time for an afternoon run.  Layered up, 10 mile out-n-back.  Best way to see a new city.  Hugged shoreline (no getting lost).  Ran ‘long the Strait of Magellan, where oceans Atlantic & Pacific meet.  WOW!  Strong gusty headwind, rough rolling surf, even summer season.

No ear buds, eyes alert to traffic and dogs.  Packs of them street-roamed.  Strangely, most wore tags & collars.  They’d chase, I’d walk.  They’d sniff, I’d slowly ease myself back on pace.  Eyed them use crosswalks, watch for cars – this their town.  I’m the tourist.

Day 2 Highlights:  Ocean shots, statue pics, a famous shipwreck.  Newest landscape addition – giant city sign dedicated just the day prior, anticipation of next year’s 500-year Magellan anniversary.  AWESOME timing, short tenth-mile from my hotel digs.  FAAANNNNTASTIC!

White Continent meet ‘n greet tomorrow.  Crazy excited!

Chilean Telenovela