punta arenas

arrived at the end of the earth this morning...tendered in to the town of about 120,000. We then took a bus to the fields/patagonia to see the penquins living there until they migrate, hiked about a mile ...small guys but up close and personal...have small mounds dug in the earth some quite a ways from the beach, which they waddle up to...this is the last big city until the south pole..leaving tonight for Ushuaia, but going around the horn before we get there...cold here, wind is chilled...very stark and barren looking land...will post picts later...

arrived on the ship/took off for the south of south america...3 days at sea rough seas, meeting new people from all over, will arrive at punta arenas, and the chiliean fiords, straits of magellaen, weather cool and mostly sunny...shows are good, music good, food good....hugs happy birthday to craig...

plane ride to chile/ santiago(the city)

arrived in santiago after 9 hours from atlanta..

however those of you who got to hear chuck groan about the long layover in atlanta will like this story...we got up inthe air from portland and about 45 minutes into the flight the attendant got on the p.a. system and asked if there was a doctor on board (you know that can't be good) turns out their was 1 dr. and 4 nurses...lady was in distress -heart...15 minutes later the pilot comes on we are diverting to denver, the confusion continues, much scrambling, we are in row 1 behind the cockpit front row seats...also the medical equip. is over our heads...met in denver by flashing lights, ambulance/fire trucks and 10 medical personnel board the plane and wisk her away and her friend..not is good shape at all...say a prayer....now a lady comes up with a electric breast pump to use to feed her little girl, the only plug in that works is under a base board but is has to be hand held so now we have a flight attendant laying on the floor with a lady and child under a blanket laying next to her using the pump...the pilots are trying to get in and out, the line to the bathroom is long as we can't get off..mechanics trying to replace all the medical equip that was used...serious stuff but still trying not to laugh oh my goodness..finally we are off to atlanta, everyone else on the plane on cell phones getting connecting flights changed before we take off...we however have no worries...ehehhe....got to atlanta airport calmly got off like nothing happened...went to the gate and started all over...

next day....

santiago, chile

went for a city tour today/ tidy city but huge over 6 million people...large park in center of city high in the mountain top, gardens, views, spectacular....new part of the city , very modern/ old part great buildings, earthquake damage was not visible but people were still shaken, they have frequent quakes and aftershocks...they still go crazy when it happens we heard...high buildings still being built, earthquake proof...yikes..nice hotel we are in..food has been good..chuck is drinking pisco sours...they actually know how to make ice tea...this afternoon went to a local craft fair/chuck was working hard at shopping see pict....chile is known for copper/a stone that looks like a flower/wool/ceramics/wood/ neat place...hugs

ready south america here we come!!

Feb 18th, Arrived at the embassy suites, after dinner with craig, megan and paige...said goodbye and arranged for a 4am wake up call...fly to atlanta then on to santiago, chile ...only 3 bags each including carry on..tmi..hugs carol