EARTH Field Trips

Enjoyed some wonderful views of the Lithium extraction operations and El Tesoro mine on our approach to Calama. 

Unfortunately we suffered a set back on the ground with a backpack swiped as we waited at the Budget counter for someone help us. We’re still waiting more than hour on… No passport or IDs lost, but a laptop and clothes gone. Someone walked through the middle of our group, grabbed the backpack and left a similar looking empty one in its place. 

Meanwhile, on the bright side, we are finally in the sunshine…

 

After a smooth flight, excepting some bumps through the ITCZ, we cleared customs and immigration in Santiago with no problems. 

While passing through security for our next leg, we got to admire the enormous collection of confiscated pocket knives, scissors, metal forks, etc. 

Now off to Calama!

A delayed departure in Detroit put us about 25-minutes behind schedule. However, with a quick dash to the train to switch terminals, and then on to our Santiago gate, we made it with just a few minutes to spare!

After giving everyone more than enough time to enjoy Detroit Metro Airport, we are embarking on the next leg of our journey. 

It was a struggle getting all the carryon stowed; thankfully geologists have good spatial reasoning skills! Next stop, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, where we have a short layover before flying off to Santiago.

Everyone showed up on time, packed and ready to go.  Now we are off to Detroit Metro Airport for our flight to Calama, Chile (via Atlanta and Santiago).