Back in the land, where the sun goes from right to left in the Northern Sky, where woman must be born with their dress pants in place (otherwise they would never be able to get into these wonders of extreme tightness), where political events are a reason to party, where the evening starts to kick into gear around 10 p.m.
The flight was great, especially as I was able to spread out and stretch FLAT in one of those business class cubicles (thanks to a lucky draw with Aeroplan points). One is served more than a mini bag of pretzels, the food is actually very good. And if one is into high altitude imbibing, a fine selection of wines is offered as well.
From Vancouver Island to Vancouver, from Vancouver to Toronto, from Toronto to Santiago in Chile. From Santiago over the Andes Mountain Range to Buenos Aires. Nineteen hours- but, one gains 5 of those hours back. Buenos Aires - and Chile as well - are on Nova Scotia time.
Cubicles in Business Class, or at least the foot end of them. The main part of the 'bed' is hidden behind each one of these partitions, built-in electrical outlet, bed position control (the bed, no the occupant), private entertainment centre - all make a flyer feel at home.
The only draw back is, especially for people like me who love to gaze out of the windows at the passing scenery, looking out involves some rather Kama Sutra like contortions on a lowered bed, laying on one's belly and craning ones upper bits to be able to get a glimpse of the skies outside.
Second to last stop in Santiago Chile, after flying over terraced hills and neat green valleys where all that delicious Chilean wine grows, and more checkerboard green valleys where Walmart and Costco and Country Grocer's vegetables grow, and finally descending into the smog enshrouded city of Santiago.
My luggage was checked from Victoria all the way to Argentina, no double checking, as required when transiting the United States. The only concession to inconvenience was the fact, that in-transit passengers had to take their carry-on bags into the transit lounge. A moment to give thanks for travelling light even INSIDE the aircraft.
Everthing else is primarily written in Spanish, but a sign promoting the last opportunity to consume the dreaded, but delicious local refreshment, which packs the punch of several Inca mules, invites in the English language - here is the waiting lounge bar to satisfy the Last Wishes of the dear Departing.
I have some scant memories of pisco sour inspired experiences in Chile - a few years ago and scant is the best one can do after a couple of Pisco Sours. Ah, Juventud!
Looking at the photographs brings back memories from previous visits to Chile, another one of those fascinating places on our intriguing giant space craft, Earth, that merits a life-time of exploration.
A bit of Chile news picked up in passing: Serena, one of the towns near Coquimbo which I visited previously, is suffering from the prolonged effects of a draught. People flush toilets with swimming pool water, if they own one of those, otherwise they hope to find a pool owning neighbour . Wells are dried up, bottled drinking water is imported from outside. There is absolutely no access to well water.
South America - getting closer to the Pingueinos...However, Buenos Aires and Santiago are as far away from the South Pole as Johannesburg in South Africa.
Passing over Andean Foothills, no green pine forests here, but lots of desert and snowy mountain tops. Photos taken as I am laying on my belly in my private little adjustable bed...
A glacial valley, with the actual glacier only covering the top end of it. Global warming...
Craggy mountain tops, the dream of climbers around the world.
Hope some of these clouds make it to Serena and dump a little badly needed rain.
Come fly with me - East from the Andean Peaks toward the flat Pampas of Argentina west of the mountain chain.
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