View from the top of punta arenas.
We decided to sleep in the next morning so we took the 10am three hour bus out back to punta arenas. It's a bigger town where we will fly back to Santiago from. We checked into hostal Patagonia and it was amazing. We had two rooms again but no bunks ptl. The bathrooms were also communal but was their own space. The showers were awesome and it was the first place with shampoo! We ended back at the pizza place that we love so much and I got pasta again. We then met some others and her local friend took us around town for a bit. I became extremely tired and couldn't wait for bed. I really wanted French fries for dinner but had to run some errands and finally met the others at sky bar by the water w our Chilean friends and I walked home to rest.
Hostal Patagonia in punta arenas.
Flying over Santiago.
Took this remote plane from the gate.
Upgraded hotel lobby.
The next morning we took a taxi out back to the airport. At Santiago, I had a different connecting flight to Lima so I was separated from everyone. For some reason we had to take a bus to get on the plane and enter from the external stairs. So weird but we made it safely to Lima around midnight. We were all so exhausted. Getting our bags and going through customs again took quite awhile. We finally finish and walk through the exit and it felt like we were on a red carpet. There were tons of people on both sides waiting for their arrivals and taxi drivers holding up names. One of them was Matt's and we follow the guy outside. It felt like a sticky sauna outside. Basically it was like Texas all over again. All of us gets into two taxis and we were off. I was told that traffic in Lima is insane and I have never experienced anything like this! All of the cars were in each other's lanes and cutting each other off like it was nothing. Tons of honking and so chaotic! I couldn't believe how many people were still up and out at that time.
Palms.
So much fog.
We finally arrive to our hostel called dragonfly hostel and my assumption was correct: no ac! It was SO humid and hot and we were all so uncomfortable. The check in took forever and I just wanted to pass out. We open the door to our dark room and find another man with no shirt on spraying himself w a water bottle. It was gonna be an interesting night. All the windows were open and there was no breeze. I climb up to on one of the bunks and attempt to pass out on top of all the covers.
Fog over beach.
Cute cars.
I wake up early in the morn, so sticky and sweaty. I feel like I live in tx again. I immediately start searching other hotel options for ac. I am just not comfortable and would rather not end my trip here feeling gross. I ended up booking a room for two nights across the street at the radisson. I told the others and they were also tempted. I just need space to myself and a last day to relax in luxury. I had delicious crepes for breakfast at the hostel and walked over to the hotel to see if I could check in. They couldn't pull up my reservation for a few hours so I ended up walking around town to Kennedy park and then all the way down to barannco and back. I loved walking and seeing everything. The culture in Lima is so energetic and colorful. I really like it minus the heat right now. I walked for like six miles so my feet were starting to rub and sciatica kicking in. I was so tired!
Ceviche!
The South Pacific Ocean.
New friends in Lima.
I headed back to the hotel and was able to finally check in. I met up w a friend Alyssa who lives here and she took me out to ceviche w her friends. It was so amazing! Peru is such a foodie place and I learned so much from the locals. Then they took me to get gelato which I've been craving for awhile now. We went back to Stefanie's house in barannco and it was so precious. She was actually moving to Brazil the next day so the house was empty but it was so cool to be inside. Peruvians live so differently here. It's amazing. Then Alyssa finally dropped me off at home and I thanked her for being such a great tour guide to me. Locals are the best. I finally took my shower and it was like a million bucks. I then met the others all back the room joe got and everyone was watching the super bowl and enjoying the ac. I felt bad that no one ended up staying at the hostel. I gave steff my tent and said my official goodbye to everyone as they were headed to Florida the next morning. I went back to my amazing room w a king size bed and felt asleep shortly.
Alyssa on Stefanie's rooftop.
Stefanie's courtyard.
I woke this morn and went for breakfast at the hotel. Always the same: bread, butter, jam, meat, cheese, yogurt, cereal, fruit. So much carbs. I'm starting to like the meat and cheese thing though. But I really just crave some veggies. :( Today I walked back to the water at the mall and finally got underwear. Then I took the bus back to barannco to look for a tote. It's been annoying carrying my stuff sack around so I got a nice one from the shoe store heather told me about! I wished I could've gotten one of their sandals or boots. They were SO nice. Today was around five miles of walking. No sun burn though! I put on sunscreen this time. I finally found most of the things I've been searching for so I spent the rest of the day relaxing. It's been such a great last day in South America.
Soooo many people at the beach.
My new tote! From la zapateria.
Tomorrow morning I fly to Miami and London for a layover before Zurich. I can't wait to be in Switzerland where it's cold again. It's gonna be a crazy time change and lots of connections but I'm ready!
