Pucon y Valdivia

Anna, Melanie and I set out for Pucon on a midnight bus last Wednesday night and early Thursday morning we arrived. After a lovely breakfast at a hostel co-op, we found our own hostel. We checked in, rested and headed to the nearby black sand beach! We grabbed a beer and found a spot for ourselves away from the few people there. The black sand comes from the lava of the Volcan Villarica, which is stunningly visible from the beach.

We made black sand castles, and barely dipped our toes in the freezing water.

From there, we ate some mariscos (seafood), relaxed and decided to rent bikes to explore. We followed a route that took us down an old country road lined with dense green trees, a river, and the beautiful sunset in front of us. We then road our bikes through town, looking at all the restaurants and cervecerias along the way. It was a great way to see the town. We made dinner, drank wine and relaxed in our hostel before another bus ride to Valdivia.


The first thing we did in Valdivia was eat. We picked a restaurant and it happened to be one of our favorites in Chile yet. We ate delicious mariscos for reasonable prices and enjoyed people watching. I could already tell Valdivia was my kind of place. We then found our hostel, which turned out to be great. We were greeted with a friendly face and an invitation to drink beer with friends later that night. We also learned that the next night happened to be the Festival of Valdivia. We came at the right time.

Our next great find was the suggested Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens). Turns out, it was more of a botanical forest and marsh wonderland in the middle of a University campus. (And I thought my campus was pretty...)

After connecting with nature, we connected with some Valdivians in our hostel.

The next day brought more adventures including museums (which I will dedicate another whole post to), a trip to Niebla for their famous food, and the Valdivian Festival. The festival was packed of people watching decorated boats (quite literally "floats") on the river. Confetti was everywhere and there were lines of vendors. To me, it seemed like a life size version of those games you find in restaurants where you send a claw down and it picks up a prize for you (sometimes). We enjoyed the sights, then went to bed to wake up in time for our early bus ride home. On the way to the bus at 8 in the morning, we encountered at least 3 stumbling drunks still yelling about the night before.

I arrived in Santiago in time to wish my host sister a feliz cumpleanos and hang out with her friends. I must say, it was almost impossible to understand them but it was interesting for me to take in.

The trip was a huge success. The sights seemed quite surreal at times, but I did my best to soak it all in. See the rest of the photos here.

Aprendiendo mucho,
Lauren Adele

Get Lost

A few more days in the city, and a few more adventures.

Anna, Melanie and I have been leisurely exploring Santiago. Along the way, we've made a few friends, including some Brazilians and some Chileans. The other day, after hanging out with Anna's family friends at their workplace, they took us out. I must mention that their work is renting camper vans for the adventurous in Chile and Argentina. Therefore, it was only right that we pile in one of these camper vans to trek across the city.

After a night's rest, we met up and decided to take on Cerro San Cristobal. It is one of the many hills in the city, but this one is famous for the large statue of the Virgin Mary watching over the people of Santiago. There is a funicular, but we decided to walk up. After many "descansitos," or little breaks, we made it to the top.

On the way down, we stopped at a playground. It was magical, but also seemingly dangerous for young ones. None the less, we enjoyed ourselves as if we were little kids.

For more photos of these days, click here.

Now, off to plan our first trip outside of the city.

Contenta,
Lauren Adele

More Links

I'll be adding pictures to this website for everyone to see!

And I've made this map of all the places I've been. I'll continue to update it. 

Relajado,

Lauren Adele

The Results of my Adventures

After several days of exploring, I have gathered some substantial knowledge of downtown Santiago.

The first day out, I went to my friend Anna's house for lunch with her family then to the pueblito, Los Dominicos. Los Dominicos is an artisan town that is set up with many little shops of local artist's works. It was a little too touristy for my liking but I did get to see some cute puppies!

The next day I decided to stet out on my own! I looked up public transportation with the destination of downtown in mind. I began on my 30 minute walk to the metro station, only to miss the first one and continue for another 30 minutes until the next one. A little discouraged, I went in to the metro and set upon my route. A while later, I arrived at Plaza de Armas, a plaza in downtown with some of the oldest buildings in the city. I walked around and made my way to Bellas Artes, where I found a lovely park and some down time. Finally, I headed back to the station to make my way home. The accomplishment of figuring out the metro, and later the bus system, was exhilarating!

I've made my way back to Plaza de Armas for about 4 or 5 days straight now, registering my visa and exploring. Here are some of my foundings:

A church in the plaza on a Sunday afternoon. The music was much more intoxicating in person.

A group of Chileans dancing their national dance, the cueco, on a Sunday afternoon.
"It originates from peasant folklore and some sources believe that it emerged as a symbol of the newborn republic in rebellion against the Spanish crown. The steps represent the cock stalking the hen, the amorous courting of a couple, or the cornering of a filly by a huaso (Chilean cowboy), which he is trying to lasso. Man and woman dance to the classic rhythm, twirling their kerchiefs in the air."

The changing of the Guard in front of the national mint, which happens every day in downtown Santiago.

Enjoying getting to know my new city,
Lauren Adele


P.S. My videography skills will improve.. 

Chilean Time

Hanging with my cool cat, Humo (Smoke in English), waiting for 1:30 Chilean time, which I'm guessing means around 3 p.m.

Tranquilo,
Lauren Adele

En Chile Finalmente

After a fitful night of sleeping on a plane, I'm here! It's hot, humid, green and already feels like home. Here are a few pictures of my new abode.

As my professor taught me, a true geographer always takes the window seat.

My lovely room.

The view from my window.

Soaking it in,
Lauren Adele

Airplane Adventures and Alliteration

Soundtrack: Plans by Grizzly Bear

Here I am at the airport, unbearably nervous and excited! Reading my Chilean guide book is too much to handle. My emotions are swaying from "so ready to get the hell there," to "what the hell am I doing!" Right now, erring on the side of "can't wait to begin my long awaited adventure."

My trip has already included a few interesting encounters.

While standing in the security line at IAH, I remembered aloud, "I forgot a plastic bag," for all of my liquids in my carry-on. A man kindly offered an extra one to me and I thankfully accepted. As the  conversation proceeded, its turns out in 2002 this guy studied in Santiago at the same University I'm about to attend! Among his words of advice were "Take in the beauty," and "I always say their language is a mix of Spanish and Chinese." (Great... at least I've listened to my Chinese boss speak for the past year.) He wished me un buen viaje and I boarded the plane.

I found my seat in the last row of the plane and sat next to one of the many typical business men found in airports. First thing he must mention, "I boarded early, I usually sit in first class but they ran out of room." He proceeded to tell me that his daughter was about to study abroad in Australia, so I threw in that fact that I'm about to study in Chile. His response, "Aren't you supposed to be in high school?" Mine, "No, I go to UT." (His face shows a little more approval) Him, "So you're a freshman?" Me, "No, I'm in my third year." He proceeds to tell me that his son is in the business school and receives straight A's without trying and asks me what I do there. Upon my answer of Liberal Arts, the conversation stopped.  I solidify his idea of me as I pull out my book written by Che Guevarra. He solidifies my idea of him as he later tells me I should focus on being a wife and mother, as women cannot succeed in having a career and a family. The only thing I could ask myself was what did I expect on a plane ride to Dallas, Texas?

That leaves me here at DFW, about to enjoy my last Shiner and my last Netflix Watch Instantly for the next six months.

Patiently waiting,
Lauren Adele

Top 5 Pieces of Pre-trip Advice

5. Be safe and have fun.
4. Document your adventures.
3. Take advantage of every good thing that comes your way, including the local cuisine.
2. Hang with the locals.
1. Don't go mining.

I think I'll manage to stick to this advice.

Pushing off tomorrow, ciao Texas!