A teaser

I'm back in Boston, where I'm relieved and a little surprised that it's still summer. The last couple days in Santiago made me remember how much better a city can look with leaves on the trees. Santiago was clement, but bleak, as this is winter for them.

I took 364 pictures on the trip, about 200 of which are worth sharing. Today I can get started on the task of resizing and fixing them--and organizing them (I'm a little worried about that part; I'm bad at organizing things, but I feel it's vital just the same, a recipe for hours spent fretting).

So here's a taste of posts to come, I hope you like it:

( Cut for largish picture, the other picture posts will have smaller ones. )

Part one: Getting there.

Easter Island is so special, that one should endure trials and hardship on one's journey, to fully appreciate it. Despite the fact that the trip is accomplished through commercial air travel, we found our hardships. Before I'm assailed for bemoaning such trivial hardships, let me hasten to say that I'm just kidding. Because the trip involves commercial air travel, there were hardships. Captain Cook didn't have to sit on the runway at Miami International for over three hours while they fixed the fuel pump sensor. The Polynesians on their double-hulled canoes crossing 2000 miles of ocean didn't complain that their bag was lost by the idiots at American Airlines. And I'm alone in being the one to make the journey begrudging the lack of vegetarian food, snacking the few things I was wise enough to pack in my carry-on.

Anyway, we got to Santiago, with a layover too short to go rest at a hotel (which I really could have used) and too long to spend at the Airport. We took a short city tour on the advice of a friendly fast-talking young man who may or may not have been an accomplice to my disastrous attempt to change my cash (though it may have been my own bleary-eyed stupidity acting alone.)

So without further whining (jeez), Santiago de Chile (in 2 hours)

( about 10 pictures )

Stop bitching already!

Feeling sorry for us both, my father sprung for an upgrade to Business Class for the flight to Isla de Pascua (the Chilean name for the island). I believe this is what is known as "Throwing good money after bad," but it did perk up our spirits a bit. The glasses of wine alone were worth it. I love photographing memorable meals, so, here we go:

( Food, the night sky and an eerie apparition, in five photos. )