[written on 01/09/23]
The best blog posts are written upon reflection, I think. Or as my dad told me, the ones where realizations are written are more interesting than explaining the day by day. I agree with this because I get bored reading about itineraries and common tourist activities that were partaken in. As I sit on the ferry heading to Chaitèn, Chile, I’m thinking about how many people are traveling this same path, down the Austral road into the all glorious Patagonia. I’m thinking about how plans don’t really matter and aren’t that special nor unique. What is so much more fascinating to me is the feelings and thoughts that people have along the way. Are they traveling for themselves or others? Are they appreciating the good and bad times? Are they taking photos solely to remember the pure beauty of the landscape or to share on Instagram? Are they going to gain a desire to travel more after this trip? How do they view their trip? As a break from life or as their life? While none of these answers really matter, I think it’s fascinating. It’s fascinating to hear about the purpose of travels and the end results.
Reflecting on my trip, I’m realizing that I grew more in the last week than in the four months that I’ve been in Latin America. I’ve looked back on my blog and journal and read the fear that I had while starting my trip. I remember the feeling of uncertainty weighing on me and the lack of familiarity being daunting. I questioned my trip for about a month straight. But over the last week, my fear has vanished. The feeling of uncertainty excites me! I love being unfamiliar and having to figure things out. I’ve recognized how competent and intelligent I am, that I can navigate the world if I want to. That’s something powerful for a 22 year old woman to realize. That’s not something that we are taught growing up in our society, even with the positive upbringing I had. Although I was fearful 4 months ago, I knew deep down there was a reason I was planning to leave everything that was familiar and beautiful to me. And for that, I’m forever thankful for the bravery of past Jasmine.
As I head down to the south of Chile, I’m refraining from planning. Because I don’t have a tent and with the uncertainty of weather, I’ve made some reservations in hostels to know I have a place to sleep but I don’t want to have any expectations for the near future. I’ve realized how much I value traveling solo as well, I have a desire to do more of this. I’ve continued to be inspired by female solo travelers. Watching my female friends walk away with nothing but their backpacks and a grin on their face for their future that awaits them gives me such an inspired feeling. They are capable of anything and so am I.
This morning in the hostal in Puerto Montt, I was speaking to the owner, a middle aged woman with 4 kids who has run a hostel for 20 years. She initially refrained from talking with me upon learning that I was from the states. This bothered me at first because I was initiating conversations in Spanish but she only responded to Julián. I remembered what Kendall told me months ago in Chile, that before you judge someone, ask yourself if it’s a cultural difference. I paused and thought that instead of being silent and hurt that she wouldn’t talk to me, I’m going to show her we can communicate. So I sat down with my coffee this morning and joined her for breakfast, speaking in Spanish. She told me how she’s always worked in tourism but hasn’t traveled much because of having kids. She then asked me “but aren’t you scared to be traveling alone? And so young too, what are you 24 years old?.” I responded with, “no, I’m 22 and I was scared when I started my trip but I’ve had a full turnaround with my mentality on fear and traveling.” We were silent after this and I realized how lucky and happy I am to be seeing Chile instead of with babies at home.
I have been looking forward to being in the mountains for months! Even after my profound thoughts on reflections, I’ll still do a quick recap of Mendoza, hah! I went paragliding in cerro arco which was absolutely spontaneous and amazing! 30 minutes flying in the sky was one of the most meditative things I’ve done. The landing was equally memorable because I got to watch all the professionals land and talk to Argentinians left and right. I felt so comfortable and cool speaking in Spanish and realized how well I speak while I’m by myself speaking 1:1. I even met a guy who lived in Eugene!
I was reunited with my friend Seba, from Valparaíso. He came to Mendoza with a friend and we made the most of 2 days together. I’m blessed with the memories of laughing and dancing in the middle of the night in a plaza together.
I learned how to make hundreds of empanadas and ate the most delicious food in Argentina. The alfajores and asados are to die for.
And now I’ve been reunited with my friend from Colombia, Julián to go explore some of southern Chile with. We even got to see Kendall for 30 minutes yesterday as we both happened to be in Puerto Montt!
It’s a small world down here in the Patagonia!