Epilogue - last entry

So I could stay here longer, but actually the 6 weeks of travel across South America are enough. I also have to work again and my family and friends are looking forward to a reunion. So here are a few sentences to conclude and some photos of a sun-drenched Santiago. I wanted to go back to Cerro Santa Lucia, but that was not possible because there were maintenance measures. Security personnel with bulletproof vests blocked it off. I made it halfway up and thought about Chile and the other 4 countries I traveled through: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay. I won't give a ranking, because all these countries are worth visiting and if you're interested, you should definitely not hesitate. Even in 2 or 3 weeks, you can fly across the big pond and explore selected destinations, or relax. What is important: the country and its people are worth it! I have seen so many beautiful landscapes, jungle, waterfalls, mountains, even the infinite vastness of the Pampas has its charm, but I have also encountered bitter poverty, garbage, and acute decay. In some places, you wonder how people can live there, for example, the favelas in Rio. I only felt unsafe in Rio at the beginning because I had heard and read true horror stories. It was not that bad!

Mindfulness is required everywhere, don't fall for every nonsense offered to you, and if you have an uncertain feeling, be cautious and if necessary, run away. Valuables like expensive cameras, money, or jewelry should not be shown. I was reminded of this twice here in Chile, which I understand as a very friendly gesture. The police presence is highest in Brazil and Chile, but also significant in Argentina. If you ask for advice or directions, you will always be helped. People here care more about each other than in Europe, that is very pronounced. Begging happens, yes, and stealing probably too, luckily nothing happened to me. I supported many street musicians and also people who told me their story without being too intrusive. Once in Rio and once in Buenos Aires, I had to firmly decline, after which I was left alone. Street crime also exists in European cities, even in seemingly safe Munich.

Also something about the Mapuche here in Santiago and Chile: they have always defended themselves and even had their own state until the 19th century. They cleverly adopted techniques, weapons, and horses from the Spaniards and were thus able to defend themselves. Nevertheless, they too were exploited terribly and in a dehumanizing way. Allende was the first president to strengthen the rights of the indigenous people and give them back land. Cerro Santa Lucia was a sacred place and astronomical observations were already made there in pre-Columbian times. The Spaniards cleverly chose a martyr as a saint for this hill: the symbolism was understood and somehow accepted. A photo from today shows a leader of the Mapuche in a proud pose, with deliberately chosen modern glass architecture as a background.

Today I talked to a funny waiter from Venezuela. He talked about his plans and family and the conditions there. He spoke English well and encouraged him to learn languages and take control of his future. Similar conversations happened several times. Globalization is primarily to be understood as an opportunity, especially the internet! Go out and explore and understand distant countries and their cultures! If you only travel to Italy or Mallorca, you won't learn anything - Germans among themselves abroad - a horror for me!

Those who are willing and open to understanding others and do not show arrogance, will succeed and xenophobia and racism have no chance. I was sometimes tempted to get upset about the inconvenience or poor organization, but then I always told myself: you are the foreigner here, so wait and see, after all, it's vacation and you have time. How would a foreigner in Germany appear to me if he gets upset right away, even though he cannot know the local conditions exactly?

The way to the airport turned out to be surprisingly different: because of a major demonstration, the street 'Los Heroes' was closed, the bus was not running. After some cursing and zigzagging through side streets, a taxi driver brought me to the airport on time. The boarding started on time, but the plane was too hot inside, so we had to wait longer in the 'finger' (enclosed walkway to the plane) - ommm!

Finally, a Mapuche myth: instead of heaven and hell, it was and maybe still is believed that the good, courageous, and heroic people go up to a realm on the sunny mountains, and the bad and evil ones have to go to a land under the sea where there are only bitter potatoes! Isn't that a beautiful thought?

With this, I conclude this travel blog and thank you for your interest! I had a lot of fun and the next trip will definitely come in 2019! Greetings to all!

Yours sincerely, Wolfgang (currently in Madrid, where I will stay for one more night)