The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are. – Samuel Jackson
We woke up Saturday morning to perhaps one of the most perfect days in Patagonia. The birds were singing in full glory to welcome the rising sun above the serene Patagonian landscape. The sky was as blue as the sea and clear except for a few lazy powder puff clouds lingering off in the distance.
We packed our belongings and ate our last meal at the Eco Camp with our friends. Despite the amazing week we had experienced, I felt a deep sadness and distress at the thought of leaving. I knew that leaving the park represented a return to reality: Work, stress, life in the fast lane, and no more “smelling the roses” each day.
As our van pulled out of the park’s main entrance and we looked for one last time at the breathtaking landscape around us, we realized that the view was the exact opposite as when we had pulled into the gates of the park at the start of the week. When we had arrived, our first sight of the park was completely hidden by clouds. When we left, it was nearly cloudless and spectacular.
Like my soul, the clouds had lifted and we could see the phenomenal beauty of the park in all its glory. As I took in my last sight of the park, I made a promise to never stop marveling at the beautiful world we live in and more importantly, to relax more often, enjoy life to its fullest, and most of all, be happy. Out of everything that I had gained from the trip, these few words of wisdom were the most valuable of all.
Last view of the park.
On the way home, in Punta Arenas, I made sure that I had a chance to stop in the Plaza de Armas and rub the toes of the infamous Ferdinand Magellan monument. That means I’ll be back. I certainly hope so!
Stay tuned…next post will be to the Land Downunder!
How sad to leave such an incredible place. I can understand how you might have struggled with that. I hope you do, indeed, go back!
I’m looking forward to your Australia post(s)———————
Kathy
Ahh! I hope that you do get an opportunity to return. I never rubbed any feet (!) – but I also hope to get back here again. My husband has never been, so I reckon that is a good enough reason to plan a trip 🙂
This is on my list of must-see places! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love Patagonia! I like the Chilean part more in terms of remoteness and beauty yet Argentina is fabulous too. It is such a great escape and I can’t wait to someday go back! It is that great!!!!
Hi! I just read all of your posts on your trip to Torres del Paine and loved them! Your writing brought back so many memories of my trip with my husband and two friends in 1997. Different things you mentioned about the eco lodge, the glaciers, the international refugios, sleeping conditions, pisco sours, weather, etc…just made me think of so many memories I have from this place. So many crazy things happened to us on that trip that it has continued to be one of the biggest traveling adventures of my life. Thank you so much for the wonderful account of your travels to this area! Best always!
Wow, that is great that you and your husband went to! I truly fell in love with Patagonia and hope to go back again someday. It just gets hard because I love traveling so much and I don’t have an unlimited bank account, time away from kids and ability to go. But yes it was such an amazing trip. One of my best by far! Thanks for reading!!!!!