Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

So we are a couple of weeks away from our big trip to the south of Chile. I guess I've been planning this for many years but now that it's almost  here it seems my list of things to do keeps getting bigger. Slowly, though, we are checking items off, like gear/kit, health insurance, flight confirmations, what to do with our plants.  Of most importance is keeping our bag weight reasonable. We'll be taking down gear and food as we begin a trek into TDP as soon we arrive. Well we still have 12 days before we fly to Punta Arenas.Sean's parents are taking advantage of us being down here and are taking a trip to South America. They are now in Argentina and arrive in Chile next week. When they arrive we will take them to the coast for a tour of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, and then down towards Algarrobo and Isla Negra.  We'll be back Santiago in time for one final night of packing before we fly out the next morning.  The Roothams will then use our place as a base for trips into the Cajon del Maipo(beautiful mountain area near Santiago) and we're also planning a wine tour for them of the Colchagua Valley, one the best wine regions in all the world. Any would be travelers are more than welcome to follow their lead and come down for a visit and personal tour of the region. Paula has been working at a day camp this month and is presently on the coast in Zapallar.  She is working with children doing arts and crafts and teaching them some English.  They are very young and wandering but it sounds like she is really enjoying the experience.  She also says the area is very beautiful and that's reason enough for me to head up there this weekend for a visit, and because I miss her too. The next time you hear from us will probably be after our trek through Torres del Paine National Park. We'll try to post pics and stories as often as possible as we'll be in many places on and off the road for the month of February. It should be an amazing trip and we look forward to sharing our time with you.

Onward and Upward!  

Christmas and New Years

Happy 2008 everybody!

It was a hot December here in Chile but we managed to make it feel like Christmas around our apartment.  Paula decorated with popcorn strings and she had some friends over for a day of christmas cookie baking.  We hung socks from our wall and found a little pine tree to put presents around.  

Santa had no problem navigating the southern hemisphere and he brought boots for Paula and a guitar for Sean.  We had an excellent morning drinking irish coffee listening to putamayo christmas songs and opening presents.

For New Years we went to Valparaiso for a couple of days. The sea breeze was a nice change.

We walked around the city breaking in Paula's new boots and taking photos.  The fireworks show there is supposedly one of the best in the world and it didn't disappoint.  We watched them from one of the hills with a great view of the port. There was 5 or 6 different spots where the fireworks went off....from different cities along the coast.  Load and spectacular!  It was a big party in the city afterwards and we walked the streets wishing everyone un feliz ano neuvo.

We celebrated Paula's birthday the next day by going out for a great Thai dinner with our friends Francisco and Marie.  Also a big congratulations to them as they were married on friday!

Now we're getting ready for our big trip to the south.  We leave on feb. 4 so as it quickly approaches we continue to check and revise our list of gear, food, and other preparations.  

It goes without saying we are super excited!

Check out our Flickr link for photos from Valpo and others.