Lost in Translation

So I made it to Chile. I’m currently in the Santiago International Airport, on my long layover. I got here around 10:00am local time. 8:00am NC time. Once I got here I had to pay a $131 Visa fee. It appears that only people coming from English speaking nations (USA, Canada, UK, and Australia) have to pay it. I find that interesting. After waiting in line to pay the fee for about 45 minutes, I had to wait another 90 minutes in immigration. Finally, I made my way to the baggage claim, and my luggage was nowhere to be found. I went to the American Airlines help desk, and they informed me that my luggage was probably somewhere between Raleigh and here, but it definitely wasn’t here. The woman saw I was upset, and told me that it usually only takes an additional day to find lost luggage. I have to wait until I am in Arica to file a lost claim though. Only the final destination airport can officially help me. This worries me because I figure even less people will speak English in Arica compared to Santiago. There are a few things in my luggage that I really wish I had put in my carry on now. My power adapter being one of them, so I am trying to conserve my computer battery as much as possible, but I really wanted to update here. Also there are two hard drives that we need on ship, one to replace the non-working lap top, and an external hard drive for bringing data back to the states. The ship doesn’t leave until Friday, so they still have a couple of days to get me my bag, but I can’t help but be a little pessimistic. At least I have a change of clothes and a few toiletries with me.

On a lighter note. Flying along the coast to Santiago and seeing the Andes was amazing. At first there were a lot of low clouds and only the highest peaks stuck out. Then as the day progressed, and the clouds burned off, we could see more and more. The mountains are red, and have very little vegetation on them. These are definitely the highest mountains I have ever seen, and it was a great experience seeing them from the air. I attempted to take pictures, but the bright clouds made the images white washed. I might have a better opportunity on my next flight.

The flights weren’t bad. I got to fly out of the new terminal at RDU, which was really nice. I didn’t get as much sleep on the red-eye flight that I would have liked, but there is a starbucks in the Santiago domestic terminal. I have been refueling on caffeine all morning, and they have free internet! Being here I wish I spoke more Spanish. Everyone seems to understand a little English, but I wish I could understand everything that is being said around me.

Alright, I should probably give my computer a rest. I have some reading to do for class and my flight isn’t for another 3ish hours.
Everyone hope I get my luggage before my ship departs on Friday!

Me without my luggage in Santiago.


Jake