Vinimos, vimos, y comimos jamon y queso.

The past three days in Pucon have been absolutely amazing. We started off our "week" with a Monday morning 7 AM hike to the top of Volcan Villirica, a 2000 mtr. active volcano outside Pucon. After 4 hours of hiking up a snow/ice covered sheer mountain face, we were well rewarded with a tasty ham and cheese sandwhich, a sweet view of the Andes and Lake Villarica at the top, in addition to an incredibly large and deep volcanic crater--really a once in a lifetime sight. Even better, instead of having to turn around and HIKE down, our guides built a louge through the snow, and we slid down on our butts!! Sooo much fun. (Jon was laughing like a school girl). Not a bad monday at the office.

Tuesday we continued boot camp Chile with a 30 mile bike (round trip) to Lake Caburga. We had nooo idea what we were getting into when we rented bikes at 10 AM for the ride. In fact, Jon almost asked to rent for only a half day-- he was so confident in his speediness he thought we would be at the lake and back by lunch. Instead, we spent the first three hours toiling up and down gravel roads with enormous uphills and not enough downhills. We stopped midday for a ham and cheese sandwhich, at los ojos del Caburga (spanish for the ojos of caburga), which involved a 20 minute hike to waterfalls. After reluctantly remounting our bikes with our very sore butts, we continued to Lake Caburga, which turned out to be 4 more miles straight uphill. Again, it was well worth it, and at lake Caburga, a deserted white sand beach on a crystal clear alpine lake awaited us. We had another ham and cheese to celebrate. The return trip, thankfully, was downhill.

Today, Wednesday, we did a five-6 hour 10 mile hike (again straight uphill). After spending Tuesday night at a byob natural hot springs drinking excellent chilean wine (really good for you, drinking in a hot tub), we were slow to get out of bed Wednesday morning and missed our bus to the National Park Huerquehue. We were lucky enough to find two other late risers at our hostel who wanted to go to the park and we shared a cab and did the hike with them. The views on the hike were great, especially at the lunch spot we picked to enjoy another ham and cheese sandwhich. We liked the hike so much, we decided to go a little too far and almost missed the bus back, but ran the last part and made it. We finished our day with a hamburger the size of a plate, which we both finshed without any problem. (This is OK because boot camp Argentina begins Friday).

We are headed to Bariloche at 6:45 a la manana--a city famous for its chocolate and wine--pretty, pretty good. Katie and Jim are also arriving there tomorrow, so we are looking forward to catching up with them (over some chocolate and wine). Next time, from Bariloche, Argentina.... More pics tomorrow, our computer is loco.

Hola from Pùcon!

It has been a crazy first three days in Chile. We are in our third city in three days, arriving in Pùcon this morning after a 12 hr overnight bus ride from Valapraiso. The bus ride featured a 5 yr old Chilean girl, who would have been considered adorable, if not for the incessent, ¨Mira mama!¨" screams coming from her all night long. Kristen slept only a few winks, but I zzz'ed all night long


Friday we landed in Santiago--after a good night sleep on the plane--and ready to explore. We first realized we were out of the US when in the Toronto airport, the bartender looked at us like we were aliens when asked if he would put on the Duke basketball game. I guess we should have known it was diehard Toronto Mapleleafs hockey night. (Picture: A view just a few miles outside Santiago)





Santiago is a massive, booming, city. We spent the day walking around and exploring different neighborhoods, even snuck in the Pre-Colombian art museum--but didn't last long. Santiago has lots of western influence, but also lots of SA charm. We stopped midday to enjoy a bottle of Chilean wine at an outdoor almuerzo spot in Bellavista. (Picture: Kristen at the top of the San Cristobal Hill)







Yesterday, we took the bus to Valapraiso to explore the old port town known for the elevators that were built in the 1800s and scale the numerous hills (seen below). Again we explored by foot and ended up at a little cafe with a bottle of wine and a deck of cards. This is becoming tipico for us, not a bad way to pass time. Hightlight of our day in Pucon was lunch at the local Markets. Ceviche and Pescada zupa were amazing and huge and we enjoyed them while listening to a local serenade.






Adventurous activities await us in Púcon. Lots more interesting posts and pictures to come. Today we relax in a rainy day. Rest up for the next couple of days.

Adios!

Any chance we are going to fit all this stuff in a backpack?

We are smiling now, but just wait until Kristen asks me to carry both bags. Just for the record, the official weigh-in tallied my bag at a slender 26 lbs, and Kristen's Deva (a fitting name, huh?) at 29 lbs.

On Thursday, Jon and I arrived at 66 Steep Hollow in Glastonbury, CT, after driving through the night from Chicago. For the past few days we have been unpacking and re-packing…and making and re-making various to-do lists. We have been visiting with friends and family, who we will greatly miss during our travels abroad. And, of course, we have been trying to drown ourselves in the comforts of home, amazing food, a comfortable bed, and hot showers, before we embark on our journey.

Four short days from now, Thursday, March 23, we will leave Bradley International Airport in Hartford on a 5 pm flight to Santiago, Chile, connecting through Toronto. We will be armed with only 1 backpack each (mine may be slightly more than 20 lbs) and a spinach pie. We will arrive in Santiago on Friday at 9AM, where we will spend a few days exploring the city before traveling south in Chile to the Lake District. Our plans are only loosely outlined until April 4/5, when we have a date to meet our friends Katie and Jim in Mendoza, Argentina, a famous wine region of South America.

Jon and I are excited to begin this journey, the plans for which we began on a return plane flight from Costa Rica in March of 2005. We feel unbelievably fortunate to have this opportunity before us and we owe a huge thank you to our friends and family for their help and support. Without their blessings, this trip would have been impossible. Thanks to my Aunt Nellie and Uncle Gene, Jon’s Auntie Jane, and our friends who have shared with us suggestions and contacts for our travels. We look forward to providing similar assistance to those that follow us—and we hope there are many!!