07/02/2024 Paris - Santiago de Chile

At the end of the excitement, we were told twenty minutes before departure that we would not be processed at 49 K, but at 52 K. As a result, all waiting passengers set off to get to the new counter. It was located somewhere down on the ground floor. We learned that there had been technical problems with the planned aircraft and that we would now be getting a different plane. Besides the delay, boarding was quite chaotic because the ground staff had also been surprised by the change. Anyway, we eventually sat in our supposed seats, which turned out to be incorrect as we had somehow confused a row. But there was no big fuss, except that I discovered that this aircraft also had a row 14!? Oh well, there's always something. Just like when all passengers had to walk through first class during boarding, and the first-class passengers didn't seem very amused. The change had led to us having to take a very, very long airport tour by bus because there was no jet bridge for us (anymore)!

The service was otherwise very relaxing, and the pre-ordered special diet for Karin (dinner and breakfast) was brought to her personally first. But everything went very friendly, even when I ordered a red wine at night. The steward brought me a regular small bottle from the standard selection and an extra cup of wine!? When he saw my questioning expression, he explained to me that the cup contained red wine from first class so that I could also drink something good. Even though it was in a paper cup, I could taste a difference. Karin was sleeping and I spent the night awake, as always. I can't get used to the thought: outside, two engines are spinning at about 10,000 revolutions per minute, which is 60,000 in an hour, and then the plane (by the way, a 777-220 HD) flies nearly 14 hours in a row! At an altitude of about 11 km at a speed of approximately 900 km/h! When a few minor turbulence episodes with seat belt requirement occurred, I watched the movie program. 'Top Gun' fit the situation well!

At the airport, we were picked up by a young driver whom Franzi had ordered and paid in advance. He just wanted to know beforehand how much luggage we would be arriving with so that he could come with an appropriate car. Franzi had sent him our departure pictures, so he found us without any difficulties. He had to wait for quite a while, as our suitcases arrived first, but in pairs. The difficulties with check-in in Berlin had therefore not had any effect. But then there was a longer queue at the document check. The border officer checked very strictly and wanted to know exactly where the people entering Chile would be staying, how long they intended to stay, and what the reason for their entry was!? A woman in front of us had a cell phone with her but couldn't find the information. It took and took and... After we had cleared this hurdle, we passed the sniffer dogs without any problems, but when our backpacks (carry-on baggage) were screened, a bag of sealed almonds stood out. Its contents were only written in German, and we couldn't explain what 'geröstet' meant. The Chileans are extremely critical when it comes to the import of food. They want to protect the domestic plants from any foreign influences. So Franzi had already once had to throw away a large package of 'Kaminwurzen' (sausages made from self-slaughtered pigs from South Tyrol) because the contents could not be proven! The next surprise for us was having to fill out a customs declaration, which led to getting waved out of the line when handing it in? While our suitcases were being screened in Karin's case, they discovered a glass container. It contained a salsa sauce that Franziska had bought in Berlin at the Christmas market. But after a brief inspection, we were allowed to keep it. And then we were finally done, all obstacles overcome.

We arrived at Franzi's address around 11 a.m., and the concierge of the building helped us with carrying our suitcases and handed over the keys to the apartment that had been left for us. Franzi was still at the office, and we finally made it to the 29th floor! Vacation begins!

In the early afternoon, tiredness caught up with us and Franzi. She just wanted to see us quickly and warn us before falling asleep so that we would cope with the time difference better! So we ended up on the balcony and enjoyed the view of Santiago at 32°C. The fridge was stocked for us, and the evening with Franzi was rounded off with Pisco!