Pucon, Chile!

This past weekend I traveled to Pucon, Chile, a tourist town in southern-central Chile.  The city was beautiful to say the least, as well as the surrounding attractions.  I took a  fancy tour bus overnight (7p.m. – 7a.m.) from the Vina area to Pucon, and barely slept a wink, unfortunately. The next day, our group hiked the Villarica Volcano, a 10,000 ft. climb up dirt, ice, and loose rocks. I only had one near-death experience. It was probably the most physically and mentally challenging this I’ve done in while (considering the bum knee), but I’m happy to say two ACL tears later I can still keep up with the pack. 

The view from the top was breathtaking, figuratively and literally thanks to the 100mph winds and sulfuric fumes coming from the active volcano.  Those of us who made it to the top stayed for about 10 minutes before we headed back down the mountain, ice-picks in hand.  We actually got to toboggan down the icy third of the descent by sliding down on our tushes and using our ice-picks to give us a push.  Great fun.

The next day I chose to do an “advanced” rafting excursion on the Trancura River.  Being a river-rat myself I thought it would be a piece of cake. Little did I know that we would be soaring down waterfalls (not exaggerating). I definitely swam one rapid, and NOT by choice.  We also got to jump off rocks, watch our guides take the rafts down HUGE falls, and swim the last part of the stretch. Our guide was a kick and it was definitely some of the best rafting I’ve ever done.

After the rafting, we headed out to a park for canopying, aka ZIP LINING! Imagine soaring over 200 feet in the air and letting gravity do most of the work.  It was beyond thrilling.

Can you spot my friend? No, that’s not a speck of dust on your computer screen.

The last day we toured waterfalls, lagoons, lakes and got to swim in natural hot springs! This is the Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon).  As blue as Crater Lake!

The scenery in Pucon was just like what you would might see on the Travel or Discovery Channel, but about ten times cooler because you see it in person.  No camera will ever be able to grasp these views and give this place proper justice. 

Time for bed, I have an intense class tomorrow morning: Tranditional Dances of Chile! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

THE GOOD LIFE.

I have survived my first 2 weeks of Chile as well as the first week of classes! After visiting many different classes all over the Valpo/Viña area, I think I have a rough idea of my schedule. 

Monday: Grammar at 5p.m.

Tuesday: Traditional Dances of Chile (10a.m.), Communication/Chilean Culture (CCC) (2p.m.)

Wednesday: Art Workshop (9a.m.), CCC, and Grammar

Thursday: CCC

Friday: The art of sleeping in. AKA NADA!!! J

Rough life, huh? The schedule allows for a lot of travel time and time for extracurricular activities. I’m actually joining a program called “English Opens Doors.” Depending on my schedule, I will have the opportunity to be a TA for elementary or high school English classes.  It sounds like an incredible opportunity and another resource for improving my Spanish!

Speaking of Spanish, mine is definitely improving. I’m losing my “deer-in-the-headlights” look when people speak to me, and my confidence level has skyrocketed since my first day here. Although I may never be able to completely comprehend conversations in Chilean Spanish, I am becoming much more attentive and contribute more in conversations. Here, circumlocution is everything. This is when I think, “thank you, Señor Bleicher.”

Apart from school, I’ve been keeping busy by exploring the BEAUTIFUL city of Viña del Mar (which literally means vineyard of the sea) and its surroundings.  There’s a large recreational area and Kentucky Derby-like park 3 blocks from my house that I love to run though in the mornings.  The jockeys practice early in the day, and if I’m lucky I get to watch them ride while I workout.  The park also has about 7 turf, all purpose and soccer fields that are lit at night.  Most of my guy friends here play soccer, so I’ll have no trouble keeping up with my rehab. And yes, Mom and Dad, I’m being careful of my knee J.

I’ve also spent time exploring Valparaiso, going to the beach, eating amazing fruit and empanadas, making friends (Chilean and International), and best of all, spending time with my amazing family.  They are so nice! They threw me a welcome barbeque the other night and let me invite friends over for some incredible food and bebidas (drinks). My father has the best sense of humor and he loves to play the drums with his fork and spoon at the dinner table. My sister Dani and I have spent a lot of time together.  She helps me with everything and I absolutely love her. My host brothers are really into soccer and the love the Reggaeton music.  One of my brothers can beatbox better than JT himself. No joke. My family is making this crazy culture adjustment much easier for me and I am so grateful to be around such wonderful people.

 

Tonight, my fellow gringos (not offensive here) and I are leaving for Pucón in Southern Chile.  I’ll be hiking a volcano, rafting, canopying, and swimming in natural hot springs! I will post an update when I return.

Until then, live well everyone!

BESOS

 

 

MUCHOS BESOS!

  Oye! Wednesday, I took the red-eye from Atlanta down to Santiago.  I couldn’t sleep the whole 10 hours until the end of the flight, and of course that meant I slept through breakfast.  The descent into Santiago was absolutely incredible.  We flew level with the coastal range for a majority of the stretch.  The coastal range is unlike any mountain range I’ve ever seen.  Contrary to the rolling hills I envisioned, the range was more like an endless stretch of super sharp, snowy peaks.  Even the small hills below had sharp ridges.  In other words, it was very very pretty.  Also, I think I saw a mountain goat.

            For my week in Santiago our 56-student group rented hotel rooms downtown, which are actually two bedroom suites with kitchen. The city is absolutely beautiful. It sits directly at the foot of the Andes Mountains.  We took a cart up el Cerro Cristobál (a hill) to an outdoor church where mass takes place over a view of Santiago.  The view of the city is indescribable and the pictures I took could never do the view justice (cue: check the pictures).  We almost had a 360 view of the entire city which is home to almost 6 million people.  It was huge to say the least. To get down the hill we took a sky rail which is like an indoor ski lift seat.  Another great way to see downtown Santiago from above.

Another great excursion was a visit to the home of Paulo Neruda. Paulo was one of Chile’s greatest poets as well one of the world’s most widely read under Shakespeare. He is also a Nobel Prize winner.  He had an obsession with boats, and his enormous and alternative home resembles a barco both from the inside and out. We also went wine tasting at a local vineyard. The vino was delicious and the grapes were so good. (P.S. The fruit in Chile is unbelievably good.) 

At night, my friends and I usually went out to the discotecas in Santiago for a night of dancing.  I’ve taught a few of mis amigos the simple steps of salsa, and we’ve all had the best time.  Usually Chileans hit the nightlife at around 2a.m. and stay out until 6 in the morning. I’ve called it an early night each time, as have the rest of us.

            My friends here are incredible people.  We’re from all over the US and everyone gets along so well.  We are having the most amazing time together.

            Today we drove from Santiago through the mountains and valleys to the coast where we live.  A local forest fire has made Vina del Mar fairly smoky, but hasn’t endangered many homes. The drive into Vina and Valpo was again, beautiful.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  The cities stretch several miles along the Pacific coast, and the buildings begin at the coastline and continue up the top of the hills.  I’ll post more pictures of the cities when I explore them.

            I finally got to meet my host family tonight, and I must say, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect situation.  My family hosts students often, and they communicate so well.  They know how to use simple clear Spanish with me, rather than the insanely fast and blurred Chilean slang.  I was crazy nervous, but when I met them I was put to ease instantly. They are absolutely wonderful.  Mi madre is always asking if I’m hungry or need something, kissing me, and keeps taking photos of me while I unpack.  I think we’re up to 9 pictures now.  She also just poked her head in my room and started dancing with me to let me know she learned some Portuguese tonight from her sister and she was trilingual. She’s fantastic. 

            I also have a baby sobrina (niece) named Andeaze pronounced A-na-ya.  It’s an African name because her father was Africano.  She is 6 months old and is probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She likes to imitate faces you make at her, and she laughs all the time. Also, she never cries at night. BUENO! My host-brothers are so funny, and they love that I play futbol.  Everything is perfect. I’m convinced that this will be the best time of my life.