Day 1: The Unfolding Deck

Today began quietly, with the wind from the Strait of Magellan blowing through Punta Arenas. There's a certain weight to starting a journey in a place so close to the edge of the world - it feels like a conscious step away from the familiar.

I spent the afternoon at the Nao Victoria Museum, and even though the ship I was standing on was only a replica, I felt drawn into the mindset of those early explorers. I could almost hear the creak of the sails, the distant cries of seabirds, and the relentless rhythm of the waves. There was something humbling about imagining the courage it took to set sail into the unknown, especially with no promise of return.

The cool air outside kept me from lingering too long, but not before stopping for a hot drink at a small cafe on the boardwalk. I sat at the window and watched the restless sea. There's something about days like this - cool, quiet, introspective - that makes the mind wander.

I feel ready for whatever this journey brings. It's just the beginning, but there's something comforting about starting small, taking in the details, and letting the journey unfold at its own pace.