Puerto Montt and a successful rendesvous
Jojo and i got off the bus in Puerto Montt this morning at 7.15 am, hazy from lack of sleep and a night spent on a bus. The ride was not bad, but we didn't have much time to prepare ourselves to arrive as we both were fast asleep when we arrived in town. But we made it off and gathered our things and our wits and began to figure out where to go next. Deborah (my aunt) had emailed me instructions for finding the marina del sur where Northern Light is anchored.
I followed her directions to catch a bus (Not a collectivo, for they can harbor fleas!) on the street heading west. We found a bus and got on. The winding roads of Puerto Montt mark this as a costal town as surely as the smell of the ocean, a robust fishing industry, and seagulls, but indications of a foreign land are just as prominent. Condors sail overhead and the people are friendly and weatherd. Puerto Montt is a bustling and growing place, and seems to be seeking definition as surely at it is seeking economic prosperity.
The bus driver let us off at the Estadium entrance just down the hill from the marnia entrance. Jojo and I made our way into the marina and stopped at the gate. It was a perceptual moment, and a rubicon of our trip. I put down the heavy duffel, and Jojo the bag of snacks and water we'd brought on the bus. Now adorned in only our backpaks we addressed the gate.
"Hola, estamos aqui por Northern Light."
The gate slid open. We gathered our bags and began to walk down the gravel road into the marnia. Silently and with grace unknown to human bodies a condor rose over the bluff on our left and glided over our heads. The wind was welcoming us to something new, and something unknown. We have traveled here with intention and excitement, and no expectations.
The man working the gate let us through, he was expecting us. We walked slowly and carefully down the ramp to the dock, through a world still silent in the morning, waiting for the moment of meeting to break the glass that seemed to hang around us, hoping, nervous, excited.
As we saw the boat our excitement peaked and as we drew closer Rolf suddenly appeared on deck. I got within a reasonable distanceso so as not to to have to shout, not wanting to distrub that clear morning air, and said hello. Rolf saw us and smiled back, the waiting was over. We'd made it. 3,000 km, one border, a mountain range, a desert, three bus rides and countless hours of anticipation.
Deborah popped up from below upon hearing our voices and we got on board Northern Light. The begining of one adventure, the end of another.
I am so excited to be here, with Deborah and Rolf, and i know Jojo is too. I am sure i'll write you more soon, but for now, just know we're safe, happy, and here.
Best wishes from the beautiful region of Southern Chile and the edge of Patagonia. I wish i could share this with all of you more, but I cannot. The quiet, peace, and nature we are about to experience requires a certain solitude, and I for one will be appreciating that solitude after living in the blur and hubub of city life for so long. Until we speak again.
Eli
I followed her directions to catch a bus (Not a collectivo, for they can harbor fleas!) on the street heading west. We found a bus and got on. The winding roads of Puerto Montt mark this as a costal town as surely as the smell of the ocean, a robust fishing industry, and seagulls, but indications of a foreign land are just as prominent. Condors sail overhead and the people are friendly and weatherd. Puerto Montt is a bustling and growing place, and seems to be seeking definition as surely at it is seeking economic prosperity.
The bus driver let us off at the Estadium entrance just down the hill from the marnia entrance. Jojo and I made our way into the marina and stopped at the gate. It was a perceptual moment, and a rubicon of our trip. I put down the heavy duffel, and Jojo the bag of snacks and water we'd brought on the bus. Now adorned in only our backpaks we addressed the gate.
"Hola, estamos aqui por Northern Light."
The gate slid open. We gathered our bags and began to walk down the gravel road into the marnia. Silently and with grace unknown to human bodies a condor rose over the bluff on our left and glided over our heads. The wind was welcoming us to something new, and something unknown. We have traveled here with intention and excitement, and no expectations.
The man working the gate let us through, he was expecting us. We walked slowly and carefully down the ramp to the dock, through a world still silent in the morning, waiting for the moment of meeting to break the glass that seemed to hang around us, hoping, nervous, excited.
As we saw the boat our excitement peaked and as we drew closer Rolf suddenly appeared on deck. I got within a reasonable distanceso so as not to to have to shout, not wanting to distrub that clear morning air, and said hello. Rolf saw us and smiled back, the waiting was over. We'd made it. 3,000 km, one border, a mountain range, a desert, three bus rides and countless hours of anticipation.
Deborah popped up from below upon hearing our voices and we got on board Northern Light. The begining of one adventure, the end of another.
I am so excited to be here, with Deborah and Rolf, and i know Jojo is too. I am sure i'll write you more soon, but for now, just know we're safe, happy, and here.
Best wishes from the beautiful region of Southern Chile and the edge of Patagonia. I wish i could share this with all of you more, but I cannot. The quiet, peace, and nature we are about to experience requires a certain solitude, and I for one will be appreciating that solitude after living in the blur and hubub of city life for so long. Until we speak again.
Eli
posted by Greenstigator at 9:00 AM
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