Update from my break – restart is imminent!

12/12/21

 Travel from New York (New York, North America) to Santiago (Chile, South America)

On the eve of starting the 3rd continent crossing, a final update

A few days turnaround in London – by the River Thames

It has been quite a journey, from New York to my vacation break location (time to reveal it was Antigua!) to some missed flights, some incredible amounts of procedures and forms to fill… to flying to London, quarantining, testing for Covid, getting a booster jab and finally… making our way slowly but surely to South America.

I consider myself an experienced traveller – but you’ll have to take my word when I write that I have never experienced such stress and uncertainty around flying and getting from A to B by plane.

Filling forms to the very last minute before landing in Santiago de Chile!

Even today, as we flew from London to Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival, countless checks (insurance coverage, PCR test, affidavit, mobility pass, PLF form and whatnots) – we got stopped for 45mn because a document we had uploaded in our forms was not the one they expected. The pain of having to retrieve your documents on the go, open your computer, fill the form in the middle of the airport, stuck in queues in a no man’s land, outside the plane but not quite yet admitted in Chile… I am glad this part is over!

Left to right: our hosts in London, Glen & Debbie – then me & James

I am now saying “we” as opposed to I: it’s time to break the news that from now on, I no longer am running solo! Joining me on the journey is James, a long time friend from Greece. The set-up we have for the South-American crossing is as follows. Every morning as I start the run, James will drive our Campervan (photo to follow soon!) to the finish point of the day. He will then get on his bike and go on a ride, hopefully meeting me at some point to finish the last few kilometers together.

The journey really is taking another dimension. I will now be able to see and explore my surroundings a lot better. I am delighted to have a companion by my side, to share the journey with. The experience is getting so much richer all the time, particularly now!

So: tomorrow is Monday 13th December and after 18 days without proper running (small maintenance runs were in order) I am very excited about restarting the journey and hit the road – on a continent I have never set foot on before.