Following the ER talk, Pippa, Dan and I made our new lists (taking into account all our new information) ran around town doing full cost/value/quality recces, before getting sorted with all our gear (yes, I still love buying kit as much as, if not more than, I did at home), made our food shopping list, withdrew money etc.
Had a lovely surprise by bumping, randomly, into Johannes, a German guy I’d met briefly in BA (the first time) who was motorcycling his way around the continent.
Had an amazing dinner at Afrigonia, and then back to the hostel to start packing. At 3am we were finally ready for bed!
I’ve been toying with whether or not to talk through the Q in a day-by-day fashion.
But I think for now, what I will say is that if you fancy a holiday that will challenge you in ways you have never imagined; that will make you feel scared, mighty, insecure, invincible, bold, brave, hungry, thirsty, filthy, desperate, awesome, strong and pathetic; if you want to taste fear, sadness, elation, fatigue and relief; to suffer blisters, cold, sweat, discomfort; to experience a weird pleasure/pain of muscles and of mind; to lose all dignity through peeing on yourself, in the wind, sh1tting in the bushes, nearly crying with shoulder cramps, or general misery, all alongside people you’ve known for less than a week; but at every point have your breath literally taken away with the sights you will witness, the natural colours you will enjoy, the sounds of the genuinely great outdoors and not want to change any of it for a second… then get yourself down to Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine.
And just watch out for the mice.
ToBeShaw 