I'm ALIVE and traveling

I remember thinking I really would keep with the blog. But really, it doesn’t surprise me months have passed without updating at all! I like to think of it as a good thing, in some ways. I was settled in without too much touring going about every day life kinds of things, and didn’t feel like there was much to post about! I guess the worst part about this entry will be how much it covers. A summary:

The semester came to an end and the travels got going again. Around finals time the beach weather rolled in and it was a great way to explore this gorgeous coast I’m living on—within 10-40 minutes there are so many options of beach. Reñaca and Cóncon are towns just outside of Viña with great beach and great seafood. Once summer hits Viña, the beaches get worse and worse for theft and fuller and fuller of people. Exploring a bit beyond Viña is more exciting anyway!

Once classes finished all the goodbye period got going—strange to see everyone from my group (save one other guy who’s staying next semester as well) go, knowing I still have so much time to go. That’s been the hardest part about these last couple weeks—watching it be the end for so many people and not even the middle for me! But that’s exciting nonetheless, just overwhelming too!

Ale, Amanda and I head south at the beginning of December. We flew to Puerto Montt, Chile and took a bus and boat to get to Chiloe, an island right off part of the southern (ish) Chilean coast. Chiloe is known for preserving its mythical culture and having incredible seafood—I bought a small book of Chiloean legends, and ate some very delicious food! It was beautiful—lusher landscapes than I was used to seeing and the gloomy, rainy then sunny weather southern chile is known for. We were so lucky with weather! Aside from a short drizzle it never rained at all!

From Chiloe we headed to Bariloche, Argentina. That’s a smaller city bustling with tourists, a German heritage going on, loads of artisan chocolate, and right next to the Argentinean Patagonia. Patagonia was breathtaking—those northern parts are known for impressive lakes and rivers. We went rafting down one, which meant there were no photos, but appreciated the gorgeous memory. It’s nice to know not EVERYTHING is documented ☺ After days of hiking and exploring we enjoyed the fantastiiccc meat. Argentina continues to live up to its reputation.

Then Amanda and I got back and met Sarah Lana in the Santiago airport! It was so fun showing Lana around Valparaíso and Viña, and it’s exciting knowing I’ll get to do it a couple more times, what with my parents and Jeanie coming! The three of us were nothing but happy knowing how lucky we were to be roaming around on the other side of the world together. We went to the beach several times, toured the cities, enjoyed the nightlife. Lots of relaxing. It was odd not being with family and friends during Christmas and New Years—it was the first time I felt real homesickness! But I WAS with two good friends and I enjoyed the holidays despite how out of place they seemed! Christmas at a poolside!

Next time I get a chance I’ll post about the wwoofing, and hopefully get up some pictures!