patagonia

February 2023

When I arrived in Brazil in November 2022, the desire to explore South America became evident. After seeing a picture of one of the many glaciers in Patagonia taken by my father on one of my parent's trips, the region caught my attention.

Initially, I thought I'd have to go alone since, in my circle of friends, no one had the time or the interest in joining me on the type of trip I was scouting for. One week later, Ricardo Braz, a talented travel photographer with whom I had done a mentorship one year earlier, posted on his Instagram that he would be holding a workshop in Patagonia with Leo Cavazzana, another well-known Brazilian photographer. The workshop had limited open spots.

I didn't think twice and immediately showed my interest in participating.

A few weeks later, the trip was confirmed - 10 days with 11 people I did not know, travelling through some of Patagonia's scenic landscapes, with photography being the main subject, and shared passion among us.

The days approaching it was a mixture of pre-trip excitement and nervousness (combined with layers of insecurity).

What to pack? How to pack? What if I can't adapt to the culture that once belonged to my daily routine (after living nearly 13 years in Switzerland, it would be my first time spending this long with a group of Brazilians)? What if I'd need my solitude space but wouldn't find it (in the past few years, I've spent much time doing things on my own)? What if I wasn't good enough for the group? What if my photographic skills weren't on the level of my peers? What did I have to offer to this group of talented individuals? Would I be fit enough for the trails that the trip entailed?

Did all of that even matter..? It didn't.

Some of it was a topic in therapy. She helped me with the analogy of a sticker album. We all have one, with attractive, unique, shining stickers to exchange. Each one with their own, collected throughout the years, individuals experiences non-comparable to others. Instead of trying to hide the album, why not actively exchange?

The best way was to leave all these doubts aside and go, with an open heart and mind, genuinely being oneself—a field proper for experimentation on many levels.

And that was precisely what it was—a playground to adventure on.

I arrived earlier than the official workshop date to acclimate myself with time. Once immersed in the moments, these doubts no longer had relevance. It was simply about living.

On the way to the destination, I already met some other participants.

A few of us arrived before. We got an Airbnb to share in El Chalten (where the official trip would start in a couple of days), and the getting-to-know-each-other process started quickly. The photography part already kickstarted with a stunning sunset at the highway and a sunrise on the following day, followed by a 21km trail, spending more than 9 hours outdoors together - talking, creating photographies, exchanging, singing, laughing and sharing the beautiful views we got to admire on the way.

A bond was already being made, and the trip hadn't even started yet…

The days were intense, with little sleep and loads of adventures, experiences and knowledge to absorb—an immersion in nature and photography. There was little time to stay online due to either poor connectivity or the immersion we were having.

Thus, I'm here to write the retrospective memories of this unforgettable journey. In parts, I want to share what we've seen, what we experienced and the feelings it brought up in me. You might relate to some or nothing at all; it might inspire you to get out of your comfort zone or assure you that you're happy as things are.

Either way, I hope you enjoy the process
as much as I have.