Qatar Airlines Boeing 777 from Buenos Aires to Doha and Airbus 380 from Doha to Bangkok. Beautiful, but two days in the air!

Tri-Border Area - Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
May 22-May23

A mad dash to this incredible part of the world where three South American countries meet.

Iguazu - perhaps the most spectacular waterfalls on earth - are here, forming the border between Brazil and Argentina.

On the Paraguayan shore of Rio Parana, a Ciudad del Este has been for decades synonymous with crime and black market.

While Argentina and Brazil were marching forward under socialist banners, Paraguay was miserable under the right wing regime installed by the US several years ago. Its people fully depended on working in two neighboring countries.

Now everything collapsed. Makri in Argentina, Temer's coup in Brazil...

Narrow gauge train and a boardwalk leading to the falls on Argentinian side:

At Brazilian side at the Ministry of Labor still socialist mood:

Chaotic and miserable Ciudad del Este in Paraguay:

On Argentina side, a stunning monument to 3 border area, on River Parana:

Uruguay
May17-May22

This year I took part in powerful and symbolic March of Silence, commemorating those who died or disappeared during the pro-Western right wing dictatorship in Uruguay. Tens of thousands are marching in total silence. At the end, huge monitor shows faces and names of the victims are being read over the loudspeakers, while the crowd shouts back: "Presente!" (He/she is here!) In a way, this incredible event pays tribute to victims of all fascist dictatorships in South America, sponsored by the West.

This year the event was also attended by my friend Lilian Soto, left wing Presidential candidate of Paraguay.

Lovely nostalgic Montevideo:

Ancient Colonia del Sacramento, world heritage:

Argentina
May 5-May 26 (Uruguay, tri-border area in between)

I came to Argentina to write, to work on my new novel "Surabaya Preacher's Daughter". I had to jump-start the book. And where else than in Buenos Aires, where else than in my dear old (literally more than 100 years old) Cafe Tortoni!?

But of course I could not only concentrate on my book. New right wing President Makri was busy destroying the country, its social structures, and its independence. Buenos Aires was shaken by countless protests.

I had to work on 'two fronts'.

Protests everywhere:

Oh that great over cultured Buenos Aires:

My absolutely favorite cartoon character, Mafalda. She is Argentinian little girl who, during the right wing dictatorship kept asking the most uncomfortable, provocative and philosophical questions. To locals she is as beloved as tango or Maradona!

April 28-May5

And back home to Chile!

No matter how long I am absent, this country where I lived in the past for several years is still my dear home.

Stunning mysterious port city Valparaiso, my favorite! This is where my theater play Ghosts of Valparaiso takes place.

Isla Negra. One of the houses of arguably the greatest poet of the 20th Century, Pablo Neruda. This little hit is where he wrote, standing, facing the sea!

Leaving Chile and crossing the Andes... Tremendous beauty and... sadness.