Update

First, the posts about my camera bag being stolen were not an April Fool's Joke. It didn't occur to me until after I had posted them that some folks might think they were. Unfortunately, it really happened. Funny timing, huh?

I was in the bus station last Sunday to go to Santiago, Chile, when it happened. My passport, VISA cards, bus ticket, camera—and a ton of other stuff—were in that bag. I didn't go to Chile.

The next day, I got a temporary passport at the American Embassy here. God bless the U.S.A.

Tuesday, I borrowed some money from some friends and a teacher from the school I attended. I had one meal Tuesday and one Wednesday, and now I'm back to having only change in my pocket. I hope to borrow a bit more money from a friend at school.

I'm now waiting to receive a VISA card in the mail. I'm hoping it gets here today. I'll still need some cash in my pocket to make a phone call to activate it and get a PIN for it. Then I can get cash.

If the VISA comes today, I hope to:

• get a wad of cash
• replace some Spanish books that were stolen
• get another map of South America
• get a new bus ticket to Santiago, Chile
• eat

At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to do, or how my plans were going to be affected. Worst case scenario, I still want to visit Patagonia, albeit by bus and/or hitch-hiking, in lieu of driving. Remember, I no longer have a driver's license. After I get to Santiago—a kinder, gentler place, I hope—I'll figure out the specifics.