January 17th and 18th

Santiago, Chile

Stayed at Air BnB with Dad

Dear Obiwan,

The next two days were relaxing and healing. On Thursday, January 17th we had a delicious breakfast a this small cafe and bakery that Jason discovered (the obvious best restaurant searcher of our group!). Josh and I chatted and had some nice sibling time before they left for Patagonia!

After they left my Dad and I walked around and did some errands, which included finding a chocolate store and bought some divinely delicious chocolates! We also ate Pizza Hut, which I know you know Obi is one of my favorite restaurants back in America, and it was okay here, but at least they have one! Unlike back at home where they shut down every restaurant and now only have delivery😭!

Then we explored some more and ended up having Italian food at one of the biggest malls I have ever seen in my life.

Then on Friday, January 18th we had breakfast at this beautiful restaurant but the food sucked. Today’s mission was to trace my steps and find my moon ring, we had done some investigating and looked at photos of where I last had my ring. Sadly, after a few hours, I had to give up Obi, it is gone.

We then went to the tall east observatory in LATIN AMERICA. Which is on top of the mall we went to yesterday. It had breathtaking views Obi!

We then relaxed in Santiago and our apartment and had some wonderful conversations. One included some really exciting ideas I have about my career future, I will share with you later Obiwan.

Saturday, January 19th

Santiago —> Calama —> San Pedro de Atacama Desert

Stayed at Rural- La Florida Hostal- night 1/5

Look at the place we have been staying!

On Saturday, January 19th my day began with saying bye to my Dad. He will return to you Obiwan, so please treat him well and know that I will be home soon! I had such an amazing time with my Dad. It was so nice to have family on this trip and have a piece of home for a week. I felt at home while being away, it was a such a treat.

After saying goodbyes a few hours later I was off to the airport myself. I had a really nice Uber driver and we chatted, all in Spanish, I am getting better Obiwan!

The plane ride was beautiful and a few hours later I was in San Pedro de Atacama! The Atacama is the driest desert in the WORLD Obiwan!

Once I had my big backpack, it was a very easy transition to finding a colectivo (a van shared ride) to get to San Pedro de Atacama. It was on 12,000 CLP (18 USD) for an hour, not too bad?

The ride was beautiful Obiwan, we saw big windmills, volcanoes, mountains, and desert!

An hour later I was at my hostel, Rural- La Florida Hostel. Right before we arrived at my hostel we were driving through the town…and Obi, I thought this place was famous for the amazing mountains and sites you can see around here…and then I thought the town was going to be a small sleepy desert town. MAN WAS I WRONG. It was POPPIN’ OBI. The small dirt road with clay houses lining the street was filled with tons of colorful, smiling, excited, people! Hoards of people! So many people! The streets were packed the restaurants were over flowing as well as the bars!

Also while driving in I saw tons of tour agencies which caused me to be very excited for the tours I will do this week here!

I walked into my hostel and it was funky and beautiful. Bright, colorful walls and decorations. Hammocks in the center with people on each one. After a few minutes I immediately changed my reservation from 3 nights to 5 nights, I knew I was going to love it here!

Sadly, my mysterious bunk mate was a disaster. My room was a 10 person dorm room and the only bed left was a top bunk in the corner. Now, there is unsaid dorm etiquette Obiwan, at least I believe there is? One being, if you have a bottom bunk, DON’T BE A DICK TO THE TOP BUNK.

I believe it is MISERABLE being top bunk. I forget EVERYTHING and have to climb up and down at least 85 times before going to bed, I fall every time getting up or down, and you don’t have a bed right under you to put your things and easily access them (amongst other issues).

My bunk mate had no regards for others. Their stuff EVERYWHERE, under the entire bed, on the little table next to the bed and all over the floor and all over every railing of the fricken bed. Her clothes were on every fricken step of the ladder so I had no choice but to step and almost slip going up and down the ladder due to her stuff being all over it. And due her stuff taking over all the space, I legit, couldn’t put my bag or stuff anywhere. So, I had to find the only free space, the middle of the floor by the door. Oh, ALSO, her stuff was all over MY BED. Additionally, who ever designed the room did not think about the space well, my ladder went straight into a table. So I had to crawl onto a table to get onto the ladder to get to this bed.

I quickly went to reception and discovered for 0.15 USD more I could move to a 6 person dorm room that had an open bottom bunk starting tomorrow night- UM HELL YEAH. So I will switch rooms tomorrow!

I then took a shower, and Obi this shower was hilarious. It was SUPER SCOLDING HOT WATER. And when you try to adjust it you are left with either freezing cold water or scolding hot water…but by the end I figured out a happy…kinda medium?

In my dorm room I met this awesome guy, Jimmy, who’s from NYC. He’s one of those people that are so nice and funny and welcoming you feel like you’ve met sometime in your past.

I then searched for cheap dinner, which was a little tough but eventually found a cheap place and had some delicious pesto pasta!

My day ended with some hammock time and then sleeping in my slightly miserable top bunk situation.

Goodnight my dear lamb chop,

Love, Tú Madre,

Carly