Well I have been here less than 5 hours and there have been all sorts of adventures.

First thing was a citation for entering Chile with an apple which I had forgotten was in the bottom of my bag! I talked my way out of a fine but it meant 45 minutes in a room in the airport while Rob waited for me. Lots of paperwork later where I was told to sign things that were written in Spanish – not really advisable seeing as I çan’t read spanish! The man who was to decide my fine was sitting at his desk on facebook and I was given a warning and a fistful of paperwork! Merry Christmas 🙂

Next thing to deal with was the bus we had booked to pick us up wasn’t there so we jumped on a local bus which was 10% of the price. I am lucky to be travelling with Rob who is carrying a very large bag of mountaineering equipment for me. BTW it is boiling hot here 85F. From where the bus left us we got a taxi which of course over charged but being christmas eve couldn’t be bothered with negotiating. We walked into the hostel and were told that the reservation we had made with the actual lady behind the desk by email a month and half ago had been screwed up and there was not room at the inn!

She gave us some crap instructions to another hostel which is actually nicer (without the pool though!) the same price and has rooms for the time we need so here Rob and I are. It has a great outside seating area with fairy lights.

After leaving our stuff at the hostel we took off to the Plaza del Armas to see if there was a midnight mass at the Cathedral which I had been told was the case but everything is completely closed up and the streets are empty. After about a 6km hike we are back in the hostel. All we have eaten all day is crisps and chocolate I am looking forward to my steak dinner we booked on Boxing Day. Slightly jealous of everyone back at base who are at this moment at the church in Gytviken and then will have a wonderful day on base eating great food tomorrow. However, they won’t have the wonderful company of Rob 🙂