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).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).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).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).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).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).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).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).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).Chilean Air Force B-737 Refugee Transport at Puerto Natales Regional AirportAerial 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.
Author: David Mathre
I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.
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2 thoughts on “Saturday (15-January-2011) — Chile”
That’s good news. Wow, what an adventure.