January 10th, 11th, and 12th

Dear Obiwan,

The next three days were just full of busses and planes. On Thursday, January 10th, me and Kelsey said goodbye :(. It has been so amazing to travel with her and have someone from home with me!

But we said our goodbyes and I took a flight from Ushuaia to El, Calafate Argentina. Before leaving I made sure to get my passport stamped with this:

So cool Obi! Don’t ya think so?

After this I took a bus from El, Calafate to Puerto Natales, Chile.

And, so I have a really sad announcement regarding my travel companion monkey Cuica. You remember him Obi? Well, I noticed after leaving Puerto Natales as few weeks ago that my monkey and my neck pillow were missing. I contacted the hostel and they said they found my neck pillow, but no monkey.

I had been holding onto hope and delaying this announcement until I arrived back at The Singing Lamb in Puerto Natales. But alas, he is gone. I am quite sad…I got him with my friends in the CLAW game back in Philly, right before I left! I had snuggled with him every night and tried to take some cute pictures of him. He was supposed to be with me the whole trip and then back in the USA.

But he’s gone. I’m so confused too…if the place found my pillow, all I can think is that someone must have taken him. So, if someone did take Cuica. I hope that means they are loving him, and taking care of him, and treating him the way he deserves.

After that awful announcement, here are some pretty pictures of the drive:

The next day, day 102, January 11th, I took a bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. I returned to Sol de Invierno where I stayed a few weeks ago. The rest of my stuff was here and also it was so nice seeing Rodrigo (Khal Drogo) again!

This hostel really makes you feel at home, just as it did my first day a few weeks ago when the Louisiana man made everyone Jambalaya. Tonight we ordered Dominos, which honestly, in the moment, was the best pizza of my life. We also played Super Nintendo! We played Mario Kart and some other amazing games. It was a perfect night after traveling so much.

And lastly, Day 103, Saturday, January 12th, I took a flight to Santiago, Chile! On the way to the airport I spotted A RAINBOW ON THE GROUND! It was actually touching the ground Obi. It was huge and beautiful and magical! Obi, please explain how rainbows can be on the ground…with no rain? It’s okay if you also don’t know how this works, but if you can look it up for me, please do!

Also, I bought a penguin stuffed animal to replace Cuica…I mean, nothing can replace him! But, now this cutie will be with me!:

After an incredibly easy experience at the airport, I was in Santiago! Look at Santiago from the plane!:

Oh side note, when buying my new penguin pal, I didn’t realize until landing in Santiago that I left my POSTER THAT I BOUGHT 3 WEEKS AGO IN PATAGONIA, in the damn souvenir shop. I had been, hiking and carrying that poster for 3 weeks and it just needed to last one more day, until TODAY, but alas, it is GONE.

But all is well Obi, now I met up with Dad! He is here in Santiago! And our Air BnB is BEAUTIFUL! And it such an incredible location. We had an amazing meal at the Sheraton next door, including the most incredible dessert, ever. It was these…pistachio? I think, crepes FILLED WITH CHOCOLATE. Holy cow, I mean wow Obi, so amazing!

Look!:

Well now I’m heading to bed Obiwan, 3 days of transit is exhausting!

Love you,

Tú Madre,

Carly