Category Archives: Chile
No selfies from Easter Island
When people fly five hours to an island 3,700 km away from the mainland, they want photographic proof of having been there. Lots of photos. Tourists were walking up and down in silly poses before each stone statue on Easter … Continue reading
Humberstone, ghost town in the desert
When you spot a name like Humberstone on a map of South America, the interest is already piqued. As I asked the bus driver to let me get off there, in the middle of the Atacama Desert, he looked at … Continue reading
Why I will return to Europe
Originally, I had planned to spend several years in Latin America to take the time to explore every country from Argentina to Mexico. As an advocate for constant change, I have however scrapped this plan and I will return to … Continue reading
Coca Cola is everywhere
There are not many things that I am addicted to. I can go without cigars for months. Chocolate is a different issue. One week is the maximum, after that I get cranky. But after three days without cola (it doesn’t … Continue reading
Football in South America
Hier könnt Ihr diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesen. Football is important in South America. Whenever traffic is a little bit less chaotic, I know that a football match is being broadcast and keeps people off the streets. But after the … Continue reading
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
This is something for my fellow international public law nerds. Q: When does the Vienna Convention of Consular Relations make front-page headlines? A: When there is a petty argument between Bolivia and Chile about the flag in front of the … Continue reading
Murder on Easter Island
“Are you here to investigate the mysterious deaths?” I was asked when I arrived on Easter Island, shattering the image of a peaceful paradise. “No,” I replied, but it made me curious. Over the following days, I should find plenty … Continue reading
South-Pacific Idyll with a War Ship
During my visit on Easter Island, the island was protected by the French frigate Prairial. This meant not only that drug smugglers stayed away for that week (the Prairial had just captured 680 kg of cocaine), but it also provided particularly idyllic views.
A Workout with a View
Easter Island is the perfect place to get slim and healthy: food is so expensive that you’ll automatically be on a diet. As there are no buses, you have to walk/run/cycle everywhere (although never for long because someone will stop … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (1)
Every day, my head, my notebooks and pieces of paper all over my apartment rapidly fill up with ideas about articles, comments on current affairs and links to other interesting stuff which I want to turn into stories. Some time. But … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 