Santiago, Chile

After landing from my overnight flight, it was good just to get here and feel like I could start on my South American adventure. Immigration was straightforward and I quickly hopped onto the Centropuerto bus into town (£2), this took me part of the way until I had to get the metro a bit further in. My pigeon Spanish and gestures got me a BIP card, only figuring out what I had bought when I asked the guy at the hostel to translate the receipt – but I bought the right ticket! Poker hostel is home for 2 nights, nice enough in the Barrio Lastarria area, but I am a little overwhelmed by knowing I won’t be home for ages. This will be an epic trip but tonight just feeling like I am going to miss home (and my bed!).

London, United Kingdom

After the stressing of packing into my little bag (weighing in at 17kg, and there is nothing in it!) and saying goodbye to friends, it came as a relief to arrive at Heathrow. I think I was fairly quiet all the way up, a sure sign of nervous tension but I confidently strode up to Check in ready to get rid of my bag and head to lounge access (curtesy of Mr Geldof). The lovely lady kindly informed me that I needed a Chilean visa! Check on government website showed I didn’t, as long as I left the country within 90 days. That was fine but I needed proof of onward travel to prove exit within that timeframe. I tried to get a bus ticket that I would use later to enter Argentina to no avail, so I bought a refundable Latam Ticket to Buenos Aires. That got me through the door, bit more tense but managed to scoop a G&T in the lounge before boarding to calm myself down. Good flight to Atlanta with my row empty and red wine on tap…. I landed safely in Atlanta with 2.5 hours to wait for next flight. Seems ok until you take 1.5 hours in immigration queue, 20mins on bag check (and I didn’t have one) and then have to plead your way through the security line by hopping in front of passengers. Made the flight and even scored a free cookie from the deli as I obviously was stressed – lovely lady. Flight left on time, sat next to Linda who is off cruising down the coast and up Argentina, sounds less stressful!

Devon, United Kingdom

Well it was cold but bright on Dartmoor….does this count as training? Probably not, but great to be on the moors on such a day!