Friday (21-January-2011) — New Jersey

Happy to Be Home!

I’m back home in NJ recovering from walking pneumonia contracted while in Patagonia. Yesterday I started going through 560 e-mail messages at work. Please check out Thom Hogan’s blog about our being held hostage in Chile. It was real, I was there. This weekend I plan to start uploading new images from the fun part of the Patagonia workshop. I also need to deal with hard disk space on my main desktop and back up all images (~20k, 360 GB) taken while in Patagonia.

Troll Family. Composite of 30 stacked images using Helicon Focus. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1.3 sec) (David J Mathre)
Troll Family. Composite of 30 stacked images using Helicon Focus. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1.3 sec) (David J Mathre)

Monday (17-January-2011) — Florida

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 22: Back in the USA!

I arrived in Miami at about 5 AM, made it through immigrations but had to wait for my luggage. After going through customs I couldn’t directly recheck my luggage to Tampa because I didn’t have a boarding pass. It was a long walk to Terminal D. The problem with the boarding pass was I had multiple reservations on the AA flight. Once that was resolved, I had to go through security again. I just barely made it to the AA Tampa flight. The flight arrived in Tampa on time, but now we are waiting for the rain to stop so they can unload the luggage.

Jens Picking Me Up at Tampa International Airport (David J Mathre)
Jens Picking Me Up at Tampa International Airport

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Sunday (16-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 21: Beginning the Journey Home!

Yesterday we moved from the Hotel in Puerto Natales to the Red Cross Refuge center (in the E3 School). Early in the morning we thought that things were about to be settled and thought about a dash in a bus to Calafate Argentina. Our local guide visited the nearest barricade and found that the protesters were in no mood to let anyone through. Therefore, we decided to go with the safe option. By the time we got to the Red Cross site, they had us stand in line to be registered. A line in the main auditorium was for folks wanting to go to Calafate, Argentina, and another line in the gym for folks wanting to go to Punta Arenas. Looking at air schedules out of Calafate, made it look like we could be there for a week or two before catching a flight. Punta Arenas had more flights and appeared to be a better overall choice (even though it is still blockaded from the city 24 km away).  Lunch for 1000+ in the Red Cross center was pasta, some meat sauce, an apple, bread, and orange juice – a typical elementary school meal on the school lunch trays. By late afternoon two buses had been organized to bring folks to the local airport. The initial selection was families with small children, elderly, pregnant women, and sick.  With my cough, I ended up on the 2nd bus, and the rest of the photography group was with the 3rd group.

NOTE: As we were leaving and going through the roadblock we saw others being separated from their transportation and having to walk the 10+ km into Puerto Natales rather than being pointed to the local airport for transportation out of southern Chile.

After running the blockade and being dropped off at the local airport, the Chilean Air force transported us to Punta Arenas via a B737.  This got us past at least 6-10 additional blockades. I ended up sleeping in the airport and taking the first flight out at ~5:40 AM to Santiago. I am currently working in the LAN Executive Salon waiting for a flight to Miami that leaves late tonight.

LAN Business Class Seat - Back as a full lay down bed (David J Mathre)
LAN Business Class Seat – Back as a full lay down bed (David J Mathre)

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Saturday (15-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 20: Detained as Political Prisoners in Puerto Natales.

This morning the streets are quiet. There is black smoke from a bonfire to the east. There was a note under my door that said to have our bags ready to leave by 09:00. I don’t know if that means the roads will be open? If I don’t add more to this post, it may mean that we are moving — but that could be towards Punta Arenas or back to Argentina.


More info. The Red Cross list is now over 1000 stranded here in Puerto Natales. An additional 4000-5000 are stranded in the National Park.


An update from the Mathre family regarding the status of the photography trip to Patagonia:
(taken from David Mathre by Erik via a phone call)

As of 6:30 EST, the Red Cross has gotten the photography group along with about 1,000 others into a Red Cross temporary refugee center in Puerto Natales where they are awaiting transfer by bus to a local airport and then by Air Force transport planes to Punta Arenas or Calafate Argentina. Hopefully, from there they can catch a flight to Santiago. Starting Monday, the Red Cross hopes to start getting the 5,000 or so out of Torres del Paine National Park.


Standing in Line. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Standing in Line. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec).
E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 10.7 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 10.7 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec).
Waiting with our Luggage. E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/13 sec). (David J Mathre)
Waiting with our Luggage. E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/13 sec).
Waiting in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 320, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Waiting in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 320, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec).
Certificate from the Gobernador of Southern Chile Documenting that we have been Detained in Puerto Natales. E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 10.7 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Certificate from the Gobernador of Southern Chile Documenting that we have been Detained in Puerto Natales. E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 10.7 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec).
Chile Red Cross Worker in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/3.3, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chile Red Cross Worker in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/3.3, 1/125 sec).
Waiting with our luggage in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Waiting with our luggage in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec).
Sharing food from a Grocery Store Run in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sharing food from a Grocery Store Run in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 160, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec).
Pasta Lunch in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 400, 10 mm, f/2.6, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pasta Lunch in the E 3 School Auditorium. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 400, 10 mm, f/2.6, 1/20 sec).
Red Cross/Chilean Military Buses and Truck. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red Cross/Chilean Military Buses and Truck. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec).
Chilean Military. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 17.1 mm, f/3.2, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chilean Military. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 17.1 mm, f/3.2, 1/200 sec).
Chilean Military Luggage Transport Truck. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 6.4 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chilean Military Luggage Transport Truck. Red Cross Refuge Center, Puerto Natales E3 School. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 6.4 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec).
Passing the Road Blockade in the Red Cross Bus. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 125, 6.4 mm, f/3.2, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Passing the Road Blockade in the Red Cross Bus. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 125, 6.4 mm, f/3.2, 1/500 sec).
Red Cross Buses at the Puerto Natales Regional Airport. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 125, 5.1 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red Cross Buses at the Puerto Natales Regional Airport. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 125, 5.1 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec).
Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 250, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 250, 5.1 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec).
Luggage Carts Outside the Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Luggage Carts Outside the Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec).
Chilean Pilot Outside the Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 13.9 mm, f/2.9, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chilean Pilot Outside the Puerto Natales Regional Airport Terminal. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 13.9 mm, f/2.9, 1/160 sec).
Chilean Air Force B-737 Refugee Transport at Puerto Natales Regional Airport (David J Mathre)
Chilean Air Force B-737 Refugee Transport at Puerto Natales Regional Airport
Aerial View of Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Aerial View of Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec).

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Friday (14-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 19: Detained as Political Prisoners in Puerto Natales.

Another day and nothing has changed much. The locals are still patrolling the town in cars with black flags (black garbage bags) or the local flag.  The vehicles range from old pickup trucks to high-end sports cars. We checked out of the hotel at noon, but will probably check in again in a bit. The locals tell us that we are not hostages since we can walk through the picket line and then walk 20-30 km with our luggage to the Argentine border (but don’t go off the road because of the minefields). They have not been letting ambulances through. There is a doctor here to do two kidney transplants in Punta Arenas that cannot get to the hospital. News has made it to the BBC, but we don’t see much if any coverage in the US press. There are several hundred tourists stranded here in Puerto Natales, many more in Punta Arenas, and 4000-5000 stranded in Torres del Paine National Park.  The protest is over the repeal of a fuel credit of ~$6/month for this region. All of the cars and trucks driving around for the last several days checking to see if each house has a black flag flying and making sure that we don’t try to sneak out have already burned through much more money.  This is going to devastate the economy in the region once the word gets out and tourist stop coming. The US Embassy in Santiago did finally issue a press release today to a Chile travel site (and not on the US State Dept site) — but no guidance or help getting out of the country.

Black Flag Protesters Patrol the streets of Puerto Natales (David J Mathre)
Black Flag Protesters Patrol the streets of Puerto Natales (David J Mathre)
Strikers on Patrol, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Strikers on Patrol, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec).
Strikers on Patrol in Sports Car, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Strikers on Patrol in Sports Car, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec).
Refuges Living Rough on the Street of Puerto Natales Cooking Lunch. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Refuges Living Rough on the Street of Puerto Natales Cooking Lunch. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/250 sec).
Hotel and Rainbow. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/5.4, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Hotel and Rainbow. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/5.4, 1/1000 sec).

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.