When you least expect...wonderful connections can happen

by Yolanda Afonso (Portugal)

A leap into the unknown Chile

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After a night spent at the airport and a flight after... behold, I land on Easter Island! I would do couchsurfing during my stay, but unlike the others who had landed, I would have no one to welcome me with a crown of flowers and a warm hug as the tradition of welcoming on the island dictates - my host would only be available after work later that day. I have to confess that I had nothing really scheduled, I only knew the places to visit but I didn't know how I would be able to visit them, I knew that by car alone it wouldn't be possible and that the ideal would be to rent a motorbike since there is no public transport on the island, I also would not have any transfer service from the airport to the center. So, everything would be decided on the spot... At the airport I tried to know the walking distance to the center and if there were taxis or something similar, the information obtained was that it would normally be the hotel that provided the transportation,...so I started to be questioned by the airport police about my situation, who would pick me up, where I would stay, since they said they knew everyone on the island ... I said I would stay at a friend's house but she was working, without mentioning a system that clearly would not be understood. They became suspicious and the tendency was to continue to interrogate, I sat on the ground outside the airport trying to think about what to do and, suddenly, the Mexican couple who had been behind me at the ticket window to acquire the protected area entrance ticket where we talked a little bit, having heard the conversation, came over to offer me their hotel to rest - so, I was "adopted" at the airport, I was welcomed with flowers by the owner of the hotel with the right to a photo group and all, thus beginning the magic that everyone said the island had! After the rest, we started walking to the center, having lunch, starting to see how to explore the island and, at the end of the day, waiting for my host to move to her place. The couple would meet with a group that had their visit days organized by a local agency, but they were also not sure if they would follow them on that plan...me, on other hand, I was showing my plan of things to visit on the island and asking prices and asking for prices to rent a motorcycle and fuel and to get an idea of the number of days I would need the rental. The 60 year old couple was still worried about me and my host was already late... - But you know how to drive it? Do you know how to orient yourself? - they asked. - Actually, I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be too complicated and the island doesn't seem to have many roads - I invented, half lost half relaxed. Then, the couple turned to me: "we do this together and we rent a car for two days to do what you have on your plan for the sites that are further away, and since you have in the plan to be at sunrise in some places, it becomes easier if you stay with us in the cabin we rented once we have one more room." Meanwhile, my host arrived - yes she really existed - to the relief of the couple ... and they promptly went to talk to her to explain the decision they were keen to fulfill. So, it was agreed to spend a few days with them and a few days with my host. We went shopping at the local supermarket, gathered my cans and packages of food that I had brought from the continent... he was chef and made sure to prepare our picnic lunches and some dinners. Two days became three, that third one with a French who was "adopted" on the way the day before. The island provides many experiences and feelings, it's true...but my personal experience there got richer and with people who would stay forever in my life!