Visiting Chile was truly a life-changing experience. The night sky always creates a humbling sensation. When I found this tree roaming the arid hills near Vicuña in the Andes, I couldn't help but feel so little and insignificant. Judging by the size of the trunk, and according to local stories, I could tell this tree was ancient. The flora takes so much time to grow in these very inhospitable conditions. That really added to the feeling I already had watching the core of the milky way so clear right above my head. It was as if I was brought back to the African Savanah, watching the milky way with the very first human settlers!