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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2013

Karen Meades

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Atacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Karen Meades

03 March 2013 06:54 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

ok...so let me fill you in so far
nick and i flew to chili --the storm in toronto cancelled the two flights from ottawa to toronto before 0ours
we left without a hitch --- ya--- unbelievable - since we were flying air canaca
their moto - were not happy until your unhappy
so being a betting man i thought for sure they wouls lose our luggage
nope--the connection to santiago went off vithout delay
but ....once in santiago we had an hour to make our connection
ya....an hour
in customs im pulled aside - we talk about my seringes, bandages. masking tape....
the customs officer is ok with knives but took my raisins dried fruit and beef jerky
and.....we missed our connection

so...no problem since there is another flight in a couple of hours
as we go to board the plane --- we are told there is a bomb scare in the airport in calama ---the location we are travelling to8 or so hours later we fly to calama--- not a bomb--- just some forgotten luggage ---who could have guessed no one would want tobomb a small airport in the middle of the dessert

ok----so now we arrive at 2 in the morning - inhave race check
in at 8am ---couple hours sleep---and we are off

the atacama is 10000 feet elevation and 50 degrees celcius - i am sure i can acclimatize in 4 hours --- sounds good

i managed to check in ok - made it to the bus ---out tot the desert
i left nick in san pedro de atacama --- he has some tours planned and i am doing the race

ok.....so i just finished day one ---it was interesting --- sam (my new friend from england - she lives in quaatar fand works for aljazeer

it took a little
long ---7 hours or so ---but all things considered i was amazed that i could move without oxygen ---about half the oxygen here and i was amazed that i could move in the heat
fun day----lots of really big hills - the desert here is salt, mountains (andes), and rock

140 or so participants - i have said heelo to all the canadians ---all of them are from another country living in canada

i will write tomorrow - i am sorry my blog is boring today - i am really tired

see you all next week
/kmm

Comments: Total (13) comments

Kevin Myers

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 04:10 pm

Stage 5 23:34:01 .... wow you are amazing way to go girl .... last stage almost a sprint in comparison ... your mental toughness is inspiring ... keep it up Nick is sitting there waiting :))

Vilma Makos

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 02:28 pm

Happy International Women's Day! You make us so very proud :) GO KAREN GO Vilma

JoAnn Marcantonio

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 01:22 pm

Man oh man! Only Karen. I can't believe that this trip started out like this. Thinking of you every day and looking forward to seeing you. Will be anxious to hear all about your trip. All the best Karen - take care and have a very safe return. JoAnn

France Dagher

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 11:13 pm

Karen...you make us all proud... The only race I tried this week was to Starbucks, but it was too hard (haha). Hope you are enjoying yourself...Thinking about you...France

Luc Danis

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 05:47 pm

The difference between impossible and the possible lies in a woman’s determination. I know you will make it! good luck, Go Karen Go

Amy Harris

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 03:40 pm

I have read and re-read this post. Thinking of you often as you plod through. An inspration to us all!

jenny packham

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 01:38 pm

You are an inpiration!!! Some people might think you are crazy for even trying this, but I wish I was out there with you. Next one you are doing I WILL be with you. Love to hear all about it when you get home, Jennyxo

John Baarda

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:14 pm

Hi Karen, Great to hear you made it and are having a great time. I think this is amazing! I wish you great experiences and good luck as you travel.. Yeah You!!

Mike Hicks

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 12:54 am

I could say the o vinous stuff about how I credit the turnaround in my health - and life expectancy - to your cogent comments... Or I could talk about how much I liked your Pop in the tiny little slice of time I knew him... But instead I'll just tell you that I have a crush on you. Bye.

Vilma Makos

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 03:11 pm

Hi Karen, Your blog isn't boring at all. I can see that your adventure started even before the race. What? they took the raisins dried fruit and beef jerky - that's not fun! You’re on my thoughts and prayers – GO Karen GO!

Jamie Burke

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 06:06 am

Doing it right for Canada! Thats amazing you were able to adjust in only 4 hours! Hopefully my flight out of Toronto goes better for me for Gobi haha. Best of luck! Stay strong and healthy!

Cathy McKinnon

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 06:26 pm

Karen - Way to go finishing the first stage, especially after such a crazy journey to the start line. I am really glad you made it. What will you do without your dried fruit and beef jerky? I hope you were issued some more food! I can't imagine trekking through the heat and hills at that elevation - you are amazing! Keep going! Cathy

steve stewart

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 12:23 pm

Off to a great start! Sounds like my trip from Toronto to Cairo in 2011. Best of luck and have a ton of fun too.