Back in Santiago

Finally, I'm back where it's warm, or some would say hot. I made it back this evening, without any problems. I've been catching up with roommates and will meet up with a Camp friend, who is down for the holidays.
Pictures will eventually make it up.

What a trip: "Cold" Summer Break

I´m back where I started, in the same hostel in Punta Arenas I was in December 10th. Since then I´ve been here and there. From here we went to Ushuaia, which is the official, End of the World. In fact I got my passport stamped with a stamp that says, "fin del mundo, Ushuaia Arg" So I guess that´s quite official. We did a hike from town up to a glacier, and walked around the coast another day. From what I´ve seen in pictures, the place reminds me of what Alaska could be like. From Ushuaia we basically bussed up to Puerto Natales, which took two days to get there because of bus routes and schedules. From there we headed into Torres del Paine National Park for eight days. This was the main reason for my 20 days in Patagonia, and I loved every minute of it from the freezing nights, snow flurries in the morning, 18 mile days, rainy days, sunny days, windy (every)days, drinking straight from the glacial rivers, relaxing, and just enjoying time away from it all, and enjoying the camping lifestyle. After the hike, we dried off and made some great food in Puerto Natales for Christmas Eve, and on Christmas we took a bus to El Calafate to check out a gigantic glacier. It´s something like 200 feet high and apparently, all of Buenos Aires could fit on top of the glacier. It was actually kind of a let down for us because the weather was rainy and finally broke 20 minutes before we had to leave. Plus in Torres del Paine we walked up and over a mountain pass(3.5 hours up, and 3 down) and had views of the 3rd largest glacier not in Antarctica on the way down from the pass. That, was an amazing view. But nonetheless, it was an impressive glacier and if the weather would have been more agreeable, it probably would have been special. Instead, we all read in the restaurant, and all three of us finished our books that we started the previous day. Since El Calafate, I´ve been traveling solo without Steve and Kaleah because they continued north, and I´ve met plenty of people already, and today, I tried to go visit a penguin colony with an Italian I met here, but with 70 mph winds, the boats were not leaving. So we walked around town and took pictures of all the "penguins" we saw around town. Tomorrow I head back to warm Santiago, and I´m ready. I know this wont sound too crazy to all you northern dwelling residents, but I haven´t worn shorts or a t-shirt since December 9th because it´s been windy, cold, windy, cloudy, windy and drizzly for the last three weeks. I checked what the weather should be like the next ten days, and it doesn´t look too bad, high of 89, low of 56 and sunny. I didn´t check for Boulder Junction, WI, but I´d assume it´s just slightly cooler. I´ll post pictures when I get the chance, and plan to upload all of them into a photo album.
Love to all.

Punta Arenas

I made it here safe and sound and met up with my two friends in the city without problems. Today we´re taking a 12-14 hour bus trip to Ushuaia. Last night I went to bed at 11:00, and it was still bright out. I´m pretty far down here.

Pucon was amazing

I got back from Pucón this morning, did laundry, had a class, went grocery shopping for my trek in Patagonia, finished grades, packed for the next twenty days, and am heading out to give my last finals in about a half hour. There's mainly pictures here because I can't focus enough to write anything coherent. Pucón has been the highlight so far, and I know the south will be equally impressive. The mountains, lush green trees and moss covered woods, rivers, waterfalls, natural thermals and a view of volcanoes were impressive.
Tomorrow I have a flight to Punta Arenas that leaves at 9:00am, and the plan is to take an overnight bus to Ushuaia tomorrow night. We'll see how that works. In case I don't get to update this before Christmas, Merry Christmas everyone!


(View of Volcan Villarrrica, which I climbed on Saturday)



(Ojos del Caburgua. Very pretty waterfalls)


(Climbing the Volcano)



(More climbing pictures. We woke up at 3:45 and were hiking at 6:00am)


(2,847 meters up, or in "American" 9,340 feet up, on top of the Volcano)


(Natural thermas which were wonderful after hiking two days straight)


(In Huerquehue National Park, looking at the Volcano, that was climbed a couple day's ealrier)

Finals are wrapping up

Well, I have a break in my schedule between tonight and Tuesday night, so in order to use my time efficiently, I'm taking an 11 hour bus to Pucón tonight and returning Tuesday morning. Then Tuesday I'll do some laundry and pack for my trip to Patagonia. I leave Wednesday, December 10th, and will be down in the southern most part of Chile. I fly in and out of Punta Arenas. From there, we're heading south to the fin del mundo, or End of the World. The city is called Ushuaia. Then finally, I'm off to Torres del Paine .

It should be a fun and busy last couple weeks down here in Chile.

Playas

Last weekend I headed to the beach, taking in the great Spring weather here in Chile. There wasn't any real adventures, but I did find out that that I'm done teaching at Duoc December 9th, so I'll be heading down to Punta Arenas December 12th and meeting up with Steve. From there we're hitting up Torre del Paine. Then I'm heading back to Valpo for their New Year's Eve celebration. I've been told behind the September 18th Independence Day celebrations, Valpo NYE is a close second. It feel good to have these plans made, but also it is kind of sad that my last two months are planned.


(Valpo shot. I love the architectural maze they have)


(Fishing boats, resting on Sunday)



(Chilean Flag in Maitencillo)


(Playa Maitencillo)


(A throwback to La Campana. We walked from where this picture was taken to the peak. No easy feat, or happy feet)

Pichilemu

I finally got to Pichilemu last weekend. It was everything I hoped it'd be and some. It was a relaxed, friendly beach town with wonderful smells and sights. Coming from the frantic hustle and bustle of Santiago, it was quite a relief to only hear the rustling of leaves, birds chirping and the soft drone of waves crashing opposed to buses rumbling by, horns honking, music pumping, doors slamming, or people arguing, which I'm quite accustomed to and helps me fall asleep at night. Saturday we met up for dinner and went to a Spring Festival headlined by Juana Fe. They were another fun, Cumbia band. I'm really liking the Cumbia music that seems to always being played where ever I go.
Sunday we went surfing, and I got to ride some good times for the first time in my life. It was great. I could ride the wave as it broke, and not just survive a dumping wave. After surfing we hit the beach for a little relaxation and a pisco sour. Luckily today, I'm not too sore. I got back to Santiago this afternoon, to a nice 87 degree and sunny day.
(Here we have Juana Fe playing their hit song, "Calegjero Ambulante." As the video shows, the crowd was into it, and the energy was incredible.)

(The beach)

(Goodbye sun)

(The view from the our lodging)