Atacama!

So happy we are here at “Atacama Loft”, a small hideaway about 10 minutes drive from outside the little village of San Pedro de Atacama. It is a stunning place with views over the desert, lama’s wandering around and so much space for the boys to entertain themselves!

Tomorrow, is Guido’s birthday and I really wanted to be somewhere special. We never had “glamped” before so when we were shown our tents, I was blown away with the interiors, the comfort of the beds and the attention to detail. All is taken care off. Early morning, fresh bread is delivered to our tent in a little basket on our table. The common kitchen has a big stove and fridge where they have stored what you need to make yourself a healthy breakfast. From fruits, yoghurts, jam to eggs and a selection of teas and coffee.

So this morning when we woke up, we enjoyed an outdoor breakfast together. Sam and Guido had woken up earlier than Ruben who loves to sleep in ( such a teenager!) and they helped to make the omelets and setting the table. Unfortunately, Miguel had to leave not long after that. It is a sad story but with a happy ending…. Here it goes….

After a smooth flight from Santiago to Calama, it took a little time for us to sort out our transfer to the “hotel”. Once we met the guy, it didn’t take long before we were on the way. All our bags tucked in the van along with a few other people. It must have been about half a hour on the road when Ruben suddenly asked us if we had seen the guitar. Our Ismillah… We all looked at each other and then realised none of us had checked.. We all knew what had happened. We had left the guitar in the overlocker in the plane above our heads. The mood suddenly shifted…what a disaster! We had lost “our baby”! Which had given us soooo much joy! Thinking of our campsite without our guitar at the campfire just couldn’t be true…..!!!!!!!

So for the next two hours, we all felt down and sad. Looking out of the window, we crossed amazing scenery but our thoughts were with Ismillah. Would we be able to get it back? How? When?….

Once we arrived at our site, Miguel immediately called the airport to speak to the “lost and found” department. But no answer.. He tried the airline itself but nobody could tell him if any luggage left on the plane would be taken back to Santiago or left here at the small airport in Calama. He tried other numbers….but nobody could help him.

So this morning after breakfast, we looked at each other and I knew that the only way for us to have a chance to get it back would be for Miguel to cross the desert again. Spent two hours on the road back to the airport in search of “Ismillah!”…

Somewhere deep down inside, I had hope and had to think of all the moments were Miguel had lost something and for some magical reason had gotten it back. Could this be one of these?????…. I crossed my fingers when we hugged and wished him good luck..

It was quiet at the campsite and so I decided that to make the most of the day, I would do some home schooling with the boys while giving them time off to have a dip in the pool, play football or just relax.. And while being busy with them, I kept on thinking of Miguel and looking at the clock while the hours passed by…

After lunch I finally got a message…. He had found it! Immediately told the boys and we were all sooo happy!!!!! Yay!!!!! Miguel could pick it up at the airport at the end of the day so we had to be a little patient but what a relief!!

And when the sky started to change colour and the sun was setting, I heart a car drive in. There was Miguel while he lifted Ismillah high up in the sky!!! He is back home!!!

What an adventure and what luck! And that night we made our campfire and played the guitar again. Just in time for Guido’s birthday tomorrow….!!! XXX