I don’t know if there is a cure for jet lag.

But I slept 14 hours last night through breakfast and lunch into siesta!

Yet not all of Puntas Arenas sleeps this afternoon as I set out for a walk in dire need of coffee and some food. (Uncle Wally and Nancy are back at the hotel having an afternoon toddy.)

A handsome Chilean 20 something \240is working the door at an open ristorante.

As I fumble \240for my map, our friendship begins. “Miss do you need help? \240What are you looking for?” he says in English.

Cursing myself for not retaining any Spanish \240I studied on Babel and Rosetta Stone, I breathe with a sigh of relief: “A good cup of coffee!”

“We have that. Follow me!”

So up the stairs I go into this charming restaurant. \240Only men are waiters and they are all handsome. ( I didn’t take any photos. \240I don’t want to gawk.)

The young man overrides an older waiter, who wanted to sit me at a table, and whisks \240me to the bar. \240I hear some of the other waiters mumble something \240about a “Chiquita.” \240I think that’s me and I am in their space. The bar is small and I am hovering over their drink making.

Young man cares not. \240He promised me a cup of coffee and he is going to keep his promise. \240He shows me \240a canister of Columbian beans and asks if it’s ok. \240 “Si,” I say. \240At this point I am ready to eat the beans whole.

Within a few minutes I have my Columbian coffee con leche (with milk.) And then I order my favorite: sparking water aka “agua con gas.”

Feeling more welcome, I ask for a menu. \240After multiple reviews, I settle on Chilean beef soup for breakfast. \240A weird combo with coffee but I don’t care. And, this Chilean soup requires a knife and fork! The contents are thrown in whole!

Still I am thankful for the kindness of this person whose name I learn is Jamish. \240And I \240feel the lag drift away with each sip of coffee.

Ps To \240give you and audio vibe for this place, this song droned \240repetively while I ate but I rather enjoyed it.

Flaca by Andres Calmaro of Spain. Give it a whirl.