Merry Christmas! - Part I

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!


We're thinking of you today and sending wishes of peace and merriment.


Today is actually more like a relaxed, recovery day after "the big day" yesterday because everyone here, like my (Greg) family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve. To celebrate, the whole family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, nieces, nephews, friends) had a big party at one of the cousin's houses (gracias Carola y Jose), reminiscent of the huge Christmas dinners I (Eli) remember from my Gran's when I was little.


We started the night at 930 and ended at 4 am! Oh, the Chilean way... does not come naturally to some of us. We'll let you guess who.


Here are a few of our Christmas party highlights:


The Barman We had full bar service and family members took turns preparing drinks. Eliana's cousin Facundo proved to be an excellent bartender (THE "Barman" of the night) serving up the desired amount of ice and pop for our Pisco (Chilean national alcohol), as well as a creative combination of virgin juices and pops. He organized the bar fridge in order of what he thought would be the most popular drinks of the night and made sure everyone had a chance using the neon-flashing cup holders... he's 8.


The Food Think about the yummiest appetizers you have ever had... now multiply that by 7. Everyone was in charge of bringing specific food and it definitely helped that our family has been in the restaurant/bakery/catering business for years and that more than one cousin who is a chef. We had smoked salmon, shrimp, and bell pepper on cream cheese covered mini tostadas, sushi, and much, much more. 


MATT! We are so happy that Matt (Greg's best friend) was able to come and spend Christmas with us, and is still with us for a few more weeks. He was quickly accepted by the Chileans family despite his french accent while speaking spanish.


Present Time! The kids opened presents after "Viejito Pascuero" (Translate: Old man Christmas) passed overhead at midnight... though we actually began present opening at 1130 because for Chilean kids that was starting to get late. It was so much fun to see their little faces light up and their "I love it!" dances. The adults--and sadly both Greg and I are members--did "Amigos Secretos" (Secret Friends), but the gringos messed it up by putting our names on the gifts, so we improvised and the gift giver had to describe the our Amigo Secreto. Obviously, it was a breeze for Eliana... Greg made a valiant effort (his spanish really is mucho mejor). Poor little Columba (one of the sweet little cousins, she's 3 and super cute... we bought her a My Little Pony and she loved it) was a little overwhelmed by all of the people and gifts. However, she recovered quickly once everyone was otherwise occupied and she got to explore her mountain of gifts on her own.


Wig time for los hombres That's right. The boys all tried on a women's wig and gave there best impressions. Pictures are definitely coming. 


More to come, including pictures. Bye for now and lots of Christmas love,
Greg and Eli

I think I miss snow

It's snowing at home and I wish I was there. I think I miss snow, and home.

Here, it is definitely not snowing. It is HOT. Think beaches and sunscreen and palm trees covered in Christmas lights. Weird, huh? Everyone celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve and I'll probably spend the day relaxing by the pool instead of snuggling inside or bundling up for a winter walk.

I think maybe today is my first real day of homesickness.

*sigh*

Thinking of you and home...

Love,
Eli

Hi

Hi,

This is just a quick note to show you what we've been up to lately.

Greg:

Eli:

What?? Bronchitis isn't always pretty.

Okay... Eli again...

Even Eli can enjoy the poolside and beach with the help of kleenex and ibprofen. :)

With love,

Greliana

BRONCHITIS

Ow.

Kleenex

I have a cold. It hurts. I also have summer allergies. I require a lot of kleenex. I bought some the other day that had pictures of daisies on it. Only I didn't read closely enough. The daisies were actually chamomile flowers and the scent was so strong it made me sneeze more. I bought new kleenex. I was in a rush. The package had a moisture droplet on the front. I thought it would remoisturize my very dry nose. It was actually essence of some kind of perfume. Not pretty perfume, but the kind that is always poured on and clings to elevator air. I went back and spent five minutes in the kleenex aisle. I read carefully. I did not want apple kleenex or grape kleenex or lilac kleenex or the 15 other kinds of kleenex infused with any number of essences. I only found one scent-free option. My nose is still not happy, but is no longer assaulted every time I have a sneezing fit.

It's the subtle changes away from home that are the hardest to take.

Summer!

Summer is here and now that Greg-o has finished his Level 2 Spanish and I have a handle on my thesis work, we have some time for summer fun. 

We play on the beach... Please note the Indiana Jones style seaweed whip.

We play in the park... Please note the GINORMOUS tree. (Yes, that's a word. Okay, no it's not.)

We hang out in Rancagua with my family and their delicious food! 

Here we are at my mom's restaurant enjoying lunch. (Picture Greg across the table eating Mexican-style chicken.) 

Again, enjoying delicious ice cream from my cousin's / aunt's ice cream factory / bakery. My choices today: Mango and Coconut. Greg's: Vanilla and Strawberry.

We're not the only ones enjoying the summer sun either. It's a dog's day!!! Really. 

Not everyone will agree with us, but we think that street dog's in Chile are wonderful. I don't think they always used to be, but now they are and people take such good care of street dogs. We've been told they're kind of like cows in India (although obviously less the religious significance). In the winter people put sweaters on dogs that are cold. In the summer, people take a moment to give a panting dog water.


 Not starring in this photo are our neighbourhood dogs. They are a couple of dogs who take walks with us, even waiting outside the bank or pharmacy when we have to drop in. Sometimes, they even find people on the beach to cuddle up with. So sweet! 


On the down side, I think Greg has a dog-related skin disease on his hands now. 


Miss and love you!
Eli (and Greg.)


PS Maybe don't tell him I mentioned the dog disease. Do you think he'll notice?

What's in Season

Today, we enjoyed fresh fava beans (well, fresh and then shelled and then cooked and then made into a salad with onion, lemon, oil, and salt), what looks like the last of the celery, plus some other veggies, and... STRAWBERRIES! Celery and citrus season is on it's' way out and fava bean, strawberry, peaches and I have no idea what else is on its way in! I am learning to appreciate the seasons, because if it's not in season, we can't buy it. Oh, and the strawberries are like Nova Scotia Valley berries on a great year. Amazing!

I promise to take some food pics soon. It will be my next post.

Love,
Eli

PS Kim and Clint... you're getting married!!! We love you and your marriage and Cam. xoxo

Mendoza! Part Two

Ok, plain and simple, Mendoza is a beautiful place. In the late 1800's there was a huge earthquake that destroyed most of the city. The Mendocinos decided to, in preparation for the next earthquake, rebuild the city with wide roads and sidewalks (for the rubble to fall into), and huge beautiful, stunning, and lovely plazas (as evacuation centers).

Mendoza also seemed very laid back in comparison to some of the places that i have been to in Chile. The people seemed much more relaxed. from 12 - 5 a lot of the stores close down for lunch (and a nap I assume).

On our last day in Mendoza, we went on a Wine tour. It started with a trip to a place where High grade olive oil (extra virgin) is made. Apparently (according to the driver) the olive oil would make it easier for our bodies to handle the wine. The olive oil was super deliciosa! My fave (and eli's) was the unfiltered oil... any way, it was amazing.

We visited two different vineyards. The first was a small family vineyard, owned by Don Arturo, with delicious organic wine. The second vineyard was much larger, but only considered a middle sized vineyard in Argentina. The wine was good at the second place but both eli and I preferred the wine at the family owned vineyard.

We ended the tour at a chocolate and sweets factory where we bought some delicious chocolate/walnut liqueur!

ok gang, I gotta go (eli needs the computer) but we love you all without a doubt!

Cuidate!

Mendoza! Part One

Hi friends and family,

Our latest update is about a little trip we took this week. We had to renew our visas, so we thought: hey, why not go to mendoza?! It was pretty awesome.

The journey there was breathtaking. It's about an eight-hour bus ride on "El Rapido" (The Fast) bus company. Only, El Rapido is not so fast-o. More like slow-o. Here's our bus at the Chilean-Argentinean border.

The Andes are massive and totally different than the Rockies, transforming along the drive from ski-slope snowy to a dusty green rockface to pure desert.

Click on the photos. It's worth a closer look!

I'll let Greg-o tell you more about the actual trip in Part Two. I have to get back to something very serious that I missed in Argentina...

Corazon Rebelde (Rebellious Heart) My Chilean teen soap. Haha!

Love,

Eli

Temblor

Huh? yah, that means Tremor in Spanish, and that what happened at about 3 a.m. this morning. A strong tremor. The whole building was rocking and shaking.

It wasn't the first tremor that I have experienced here, but definitely the strongest. The first time it was much more tame. I was standing in the bedroom folding towels and suddenly I noticed that the laundry wrack was shaking from side to side, the wind, I thought... but wait... I'm moving... wait, the building's moving... "EARTHQUAKE!" I ran to a door frame (that is what your supposed to do, right?) "Eliana! An earth quake is happening!" By this time the tremor had stopped, I was standing in the doorway, and Eliana was saying to me, "I thought it was my stomach grumbling."

"!Es un baile!"

Today, I took a micro (pronounce "me-crow" and translate as bus) home from Spanish class. I love micros! I don't really know if there's a system to taking micros, but what I do is look for street names I recognize, and hope for the best. I think of it as my afternoon adventure.

Here's the deal: Sometimes when you get on a micro, it leaves before you're all the way up the steps. Sometimes you get a seat. Always, you weave in and out of traffic, stopping at red lights in front of street performers,  with a constant flow of street vendors selling everything from ice cream (I highly recommend the pineapple popsicle) to bandaids, passengers get on and off at specified stops--or in the middle of traffic--and the bus driver manages all of this while counting fares and handing out tickets, made more complicated by the fact that there are multiple fares depending on how far you're going (within the city, to the neighbour city, or a couple of cities over) and whether you're a student.

Today I tried to pay attention to the people who check in with the driver to try and figure out what they do. Checkeriner 1 yelled "five!" and the driver gave him some change. Then, the driver outmaneuvered the micro in front of us, impressively without crashing, and the next Checkeriner yelled "four!" and also received some change. The driver looked at his friend and said "!Es un baile!" In English: It's a dance!

I love it.

Love,
Eli

Cursed

Today, a woman cursed me because I wouldn't let her read my palm and give her a couple hundred pesos (less than fifty cents). I don't know why I didn't just give her the money. It was stupid. I mean, it's not like I'm really poor and need to hang on to change. But, once I said no, I really meant no, and I don't like being bullied. So, I took the curse. This is just one moment out of lots of moments in which I feel a bit like a cultural idiot. Is there protocol for how to interact with palm readers? Because when I give a little bit of change to one palm reader, I feel like I'm surrounded by other palm readers who also want to tell me what a lovely couple Greg and I are for some more change, and I don't see others swarmed like this, and I secretly just want to enjoy my afternoon without being approached by so many people, but then I feel like a selfish, petty person because it really is less than fifty cents and only a couple of minutes, and I think that maybe I'm over-thinking what should be a really simple interaction between two people, but then I change my mind and decide it's not so simple and I just don't get it. Inhale. Exhale. The end.

I don't know what to call this post.

Hi family and friends,

The weather today was and is still beautiful. It's 7:30pm and the sun is about half an hour from setting. Sunsets here are amazing. From orange to pink and purple, and reflected by the Pacific Ocean. That is even more beautiful. Countless waves, shimmering and reflecting the light of each other wave and ripple of water... its like a sheet of diamonds.

Tomorrow we are going to have almuerzo (lunch) with Eli Uncle and Aunt, Lalo and Nana. They live in a town called Via Alemana, about half an hour away by train. It is a really nice train ride through the hills with a couple of valley crossing bridges.

Eliana and I have had a lot of free time on our hands, which we have used to explore Vina, Valpo and the surrounding area. Now that I am in Spanish classes... I have the same amount of free time, I just have to get up earlier : ) . I have also been using my time reinvigorate my meditation practice and study of Buddhism. It has been a great experience and helped me to remember why I made the choice to take my Refuge Vows.

Now for some shout outs!

Congrats to Marissa and Tyler on their marriage!
Congrats to my little brother, Gareth, and his girlfriend, Damara, on their purchase of a new home together!
Congrats to Richard on your new program and and new found passion! (and having a wicked wife!)

Well friends and family, I am thinking of you lots and cant wait to see you all.

Love,
Greg

A Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Atheist walk into a classroom...

Well I am officially enrolled in spanish classes! Today was my first day and it was great (other than getting up at 7:15 only to discover that the hot water wasnt working). I learned a few things, but i think it will be a week until i encounter material that i dont know. It turns out that I have learned some spanish in my first month-and-a-bit of the Chilean adventure. The class is very diverse. one canadian (thats me), an american, two swiss, and a german... one buddhist (me again), an atheist, a couple of christians, and a hindu (not in order). anyway, it should lead to some interesting conversations. My classes are from monday to friday, 9:00-12:15.

It is a cloudy and cool day in Viña, a good day to rest. Eliana has recovered most of her strength from the weekend. I think i will wath cartoons and practice spanish...

much love,

Greg

Why you shouldn't eat a salad just anywhere in Santiago

Because you almost die. Well... I'm almost sure it was the salad. I am now covered in burst blood vessel freckles and am recovering nicely on a diet of mashed potatoes with oil and salt and jello with lots of people taking care of me. With love, Eliana

Going to have a cortado! Yum!

Eli and I are heading down to the ocean to have a cortado. whats a cortado? It´s a shot of expresso with milk and milky foam on top! delicious... thats right pop´s i am enjoying more than just Nescafe! I would actually also love an ice cream... however if you hadnt noticed in the photos, i am getting a little chunk.

Free time...

...is making me crazy!!!

Really, I don´t remember the last time that I´ve woken up and been able to go back to bed without a sinking sense of guilt or scan and balance of my mental todo list. A normal wake-up thought process used to sound something like this: ¨hmm... if I sleep for half an hour more, I can just study while cooking while doing laundry and still get everything done!¨ Of course, I´m enjoying our vacation, but when we´re sedentary with nothing that we NEED to do, I just feel, well, lazy!!!

My research is a bit slower getting started than I had anticipated, but I think it´s finally going to come together this week or next week, and Greg starts Spanish school next week, so our days should be a little more structured soon. I´m getting really anxious to get started, partly for my mental health, and partly because I´m really stoked about the research process.

Miss everyone lots. With love,
Eli

PS

you can click on the photos for a larger image.

A Funny Story

So I am sure that you are all wondering why I have added a picture of a scandalouos looking nurse. Heres the story: on one of our first days in Viña, Eliana, Fernando, Chabe and I (Goyo, who else!) where walking down the street and saw this giant poster of a sexy nurse. Tio Fernando turned to me and in a blur of spanish asked me a question. I had no idea what he was saying and, in the Gringo fashion, said "si" ("yes"). suddenly Tio Fernando and Tia Chabe burst out in laughter and Eliana gave me a shocked look and punched me in the arm. "What was that for and what did I miss?". Well Eliana, in laughter, told me that her Tio had asked if I wanted to get sick again so she (the sexy nurse) could take care of me.

Picture Time!

A beautiful vista of the pacific ocean from one of the hills in Valparaiso.

looking in the opposite direction from the picture above... just a taste of the view. remember all of the winding streets that connect these houses and buildings.

Some cool grafiti from the streets of Valparaiso.

Goyo (nick-name for gregory in Argetina... no i`m not in Argentina, but the Chileans have never heard of it, though Elianas cousins do tell me that it sounds like the word for the Marijuana Bud, "Cogoyo"... go figure!)

Same vista: minus Fernando, plus Goyo.

Hi!

Pics to come a bit later. For now, here are some of my thoughts in numbered list form:

1. Sometimes I forget if I´m speaking English or Spanish and muddle them up by speaking the wrong language or saying things like "It´s important to traduclate". (Traducir is the verb "to translate" and ¨traduclate¨ is worse than Spanglish.)
2. Sometimes I forget that Greg-o isn´t fluent and I ask him why he´s being so quiet. (Although, he has improved his language skills quite a bit since we´ve gotten here.)
3. I really like that celery is small tree size.
4. I´m very nervous to begin my research, but am going to start making arrangements after the weekend.
5. Miguel, we are going to live with Consuelo.
6. I like that olives actually taste like olives, not what they´ve been preserved in.
7. Most of my life is consumed with improving my Spanish, spending time with fam, food, and relaxation. How sweet it is! Must relish all of this before it slips away into research mode.
8. Chileans have more modismos and dichos (slangs and sayings) than actual words. I´m convinced. The most typical is ¨po¨which is derived from ¨pues¨which means well. However, it´s used like like is used in English. ie all the time as a filler, without logic or meaning. Many others are xxx rated. Lots about the body and sex, with everything about women representing awesomeness and everything about men representing rough times. Quite funny.Others that are just plain silly. As in, hey buddy, how did it go? Like celery. aka boring. What´s more boring than celery?
9. I feel at home here with the ocean just a few minutes away walking distance. I love the ocean. I think maybe I was a mermaid in a recent past life.
10. Love and miss you. Thanks for all of your comments. I´ve never had or read a blog before. What´s proper blog etiquette? Do I respond to comments? Will you read them?

Okay. Must go. Much love. Peace.
Eli

Settling in

Hello,

We are loving Viña and Valpo and are settling in nicely. It looks like we´re going to stay in a hostel on one of the more touristy hills in Valpo (all the neighbourhoods in Valpo are actually hills) until the middle of October when we´ll move in with one of my cousins who lives in Viña. The hills are pretty crazy and you can take elevators up to the tops of some. That´s right...elevators! Oh yeah!

Missing everybody lots! I´ll try to write some more personal notes soon. Would love to hear from you too.

Okay friends and fam... lots of love to you.... here´s greg:

Dito on Eli´s blurb. Right now we are staying in Eli´s uncles swag appartment, i dont really now how I am goin to handle living with the common people... i hear that they have to "go to work" and "shower". dispicable ;)

Viña and Valpo are very different places. While Viña is more upper class and touristy and most of its streets are on a grid, Valpo is more working class and chaotic, built into 14 hills (i think, yo pienso). There are touristy areas, like the community we are in right now, called Cerro Alegre, lit. Happy Hill! It would be as fun as it sounds if it werent for alll of the gringos! No, i´m not a gringo... i´m canadian. Eli and I are still loving food, but it´s starting to have some strange affects: my wallet is shrinking and my waist size is expanding.

I actually have lots to say but this internet cafe is a little costly,

so,

chao for now!

Viña

 

We´re here! Well, I guess only Eli is here. Greg-o is taking the photo. Everything is beautiful and green, but still a little chilly. Here are a couple more photos until we have some time to write more. Love you! xoxo eg

  

Is that a bird? A plane? No, it´s...

  

A family of GIANT pelicans. Magnificent. They like to flap their wings against the water. Theories of why? Greg thinks it´s to air out their wingpits. Eli thinks they talk through water ripples.  

ps. yes, we know we just posted two photos of pelicans, but we couldn´t help ourselves...and it takes twelve minutes to load each photo. We´ll find a better internet connection and post more soon. 

Chao Rancagua

We leave Rancagua just as Spring really begins.

The beautiful mountains that surround us. One cordillera on either side.

The plaza in the middle of Rancagua that we walk through every morning, and afternoon, and evening, sometimes twice. On the horse? Chile's hero: O'Higgins.

We were vegetarians once...

We remember it distinctly.

However, since going out for dinner usually involves going to somewhere that serves--albeit delicious--sizzling barbecued meat on a hot plate, it has been more than difficult to maintain any semblance of vegetarianism. I (Eliana) still prefer lentil-esq meals whenever possible. Greg is now beyond hope.

**Navoda, we will post food pictures soon. Every time we think of it, our awkwardness overcomes our camera. However, we will at least take some ice cream photos tomorrow.**

Today is our last full day in Rancagua, where most of my family, including my mom, lives. Tomorrow, we go to Vin(y)a del Mar, where we will live for the next few months. Although still sweater weather, it was the nicest day yet. We are not even wearing our scarves now!!! AND it's nighttime! Whoa.

We spent most of the day with my mom and went out for lunch with her and one of my Tio Fernandos. (I have two Tio Fernandos, and a cousin Fernando, and a cousin Fernanda. Very popular name in my family!) Lunch was delicious, and also meaty. The restaurant was pretty swanky and was at a casino that one of my cousins said was very beautiful, and also "yankee". We agree. Our favourite part was colourful, chandelier-type hanging blown-glass art. Very pretty. Greg didn't take a photo because he said he would have felt like too much of a tourist. Unlike, oh I don't know, the rest of the time when he feels very Chilean? ;)

Oooohhh.... and I recommend that everyone try a manzanilla (sp?) after dinner tonight, with Bitter if your stomach is upset. It's a cocktail made out of chamomile. Mmm...

Okay friends, more to come soon. So tired. SO TIRED. Must rest now. Greg will add photos...

*love*
Eli

From Greg

I have a couple of hours to myself so i figured, 'why not do a little blogging'.

Eliana and I have been in Chile for 8 days now. All of that time we have spent meeting her family and eating. I am starting to chub up a little, but frankly a little extra insulation is a good thing right now. As you all know both Eli and I are sick. My cold has developed into a sinus infection (very painful) and Eli has a sore throat and stuffed nose. We are both in good spirits though. We think that it was the sudden change in temperature and the sudden opportunity to relax.

I am loving the trip so far. Eliana's family is wonderful. They are generous and caring and very, very close. Eliana is loved so much by her Chilean family (and everyone who gets to know her), all i can think is how very lucky i am to have a friend and wife who makes me so happy. The Chileans, as we affectionately call them, have welcomed me with open arms. On Friday we went to a family BBQ at Eliana's cousins house. It was a lot of fun despite having a nasty cold at that point. It's a little different here when it comes to eating times. There is breakfast, then Almerzo (lunch) around 1pm - 2:30pm, then a snack at about 6, then dinner at around 9pm. At the BBQ we didn't eat until about 10:30. Eliana's other cousin, Chabe (not her aunt who has the same name), told me that I was a part of the Chilean family so I should feel right at home (she speaks english).

The point of that ramble was that I am feeling very happy and welcome in this new and exciting place. I am trying to get better as soon as possible so I have not been going out as much. I am hoping that by Wednesday I will be feeling a lot better. Friday we are going to Vina del Mar to get set up in an apartment and start spanish lessons. I am looking forward to Vina, we are told that the climate is more temperate, aka, warmer! It is also supposed to be a great place to walk.

Well, thats all for now,

lots of love,
Greg

Sick x 2

It's official, I'm sick too! Going from summer to winter is not healthy, especially when our weak Canadian bodies are used to central heating. I'm not allowed to leave the house today because I'm sick and it's raining... and I'm pretty sure my family is trying to kill me with something called "propolio" that's made from bees. I almost broke out the tkd on Greg when he forced it down my throat this morning. Agh! So, if anyone wants to, oh, I don't know, email me today while I'm sick and pathetic, I'll be very grateful.
Love,
Eli

Some random photos...

This is a picture of a cat on a bench at the hot springs hotel that we went to. My (Greg) attempt at an artsy photo... notice the play of light and shadow in the setting sun ; ) .

This is an awesome example of some of the graffiti that Eliana an I have seen around Rancagua. In the lower right hand side of the graffiti is a phrase that says "Take it with Calm." We could all learn from this piece of art. I am thinking about posting a blog that highlights some of the graffiti that we have seen, let us know what you think of that idea.

This is a view of the mountain that you can't see in the image of me holding the tea cup. BEAUTIFUL.

Thats all for now.

Adios

Why you should wear shoes inside.

Well, I'm sick (Greg).

Yesterday I was walking around bare-foot in Tia Chabe's house. She looked at me with shock and said (Eliana translated for me), "always wear shoes!". Why? because if you don't, you will get sick.

My throat is sore, i have a headache, my nose is runny... I am told by Eliana's Tio Fernando that these are the symptoms of the barefoot cold.

Live and learn.

Hot Springs and Ice cream

The hot springs were fantastic! Each person or couple has their own private bathing room, with the choice of a bathtub or a jacuzzi. However, Greg's limited Spanish led him to believe that we would all go in one room together and not everyone had suits. His cheeks were quite red with the idea! We chose a double jacuzzi for the two of us. So relaxing! Our room is closest to the window in the picture below. The waters are supposed to have healing powers and the baths are quite old, dating to the conquest.

On our way back, we stopped to have a "tesito" with tea, sandwiches, and sweets from Eliana's family's bakery. The beautiful mountains are in the background. They seem to come out of nowhere sometimes and although you can't tell from this picture, are much bigger than the Rocky's. Breathtaking!

Everyone enjoyed our tesito. Eliana's grandmother is even licking her fingers!!

Oh, and our ice cream flavours of the day were:

1. Banana Split (banana ice cream with chocolate flecks)
2. Cherry
3. Swiss Chocolate (with lots of almonds! maybe from the almond trees we saw today?)
4. Coconut (One of our favourites yet!)

Until tomorrow...

xoxo

E & G

PS We think we'll normally write about once a week, but we're just so excited right now, and still have lots of time, and cold, cold, cold outside to keep us in by the computer.

ps

Today, we could see our breath while we ate breakfast. Hot springs here we come! Stay tuned for photos. Tomorrow? Heart, E&G

Day Three in Chile!

Hello friends and family,

We're alive!

We arrived in Santiago, Chile on Monday at 1015 in the morning. We were picked up at the airport by Eliana's mom Ximena, cousin Barbara, and Barbara's husband Juan Andres. They drove us to Rancagua, where Eliana's family is from. Rancagua is a mining city about the size of Halifax. Picture a very old city with a plaza and lots of palm trees.

Are we enjoying the beautiful weather? If by beautiful weather you mean winter, then yes. That's right. WINTER! We are cold. We didn't bring enough sweaters, or scarves, or mittens and there's no central heating ANYWHERE. At least our bed is heated, so we are warm at night. We are counting down. Just three weeks left of winter!

We're staying with Eliana's Tia Chabe and Tio Fernando in a beautiful house close to the center of the city. They have been very sweet and generous. Our cousin Chabe gave up her room for the next two weeks while we're in Rancagua, so we're living in style. Lidia, their nana, makes us breakfast every morning. Today we had toast with tea and some delicious cookies, and an offer of eggs or oatmeal that we decided against. We eat a lot here. It's basically our new hobby.

It has been great to spend time with our family and enjoy the delicious food! Mostly, we love the deserts with every meal.

Some highlights of our trip so far:

1. Greg is managing culture shock with grace, most of the time, and is surprised at how much Spanish he actually understands.
2. Eliana is managing family shock with grace, most of the time, and is surprised at how extraverted she can be.
3. Orange and lemon trees are in season and are planted randomly throughout the city.
4. Lots of smokers, in restaurants especially. Greg's beard smells like smoke even though he hasn't touched a cigarette.
5. Eliana's family's ice cream is the best we've ever had. Mmm... ice cream! Eliana's favourite is "pinapple in water" (loose translation) and Greg's favourite is chocolate (kind of a rummy chocolate... definitely his mama's son).

We haven't taken many pictures, but will post a few. We'll write more soon.

*love and muchos besos*

Eli and Greg

Sunday

Eliana and I are getting very excited! We leave on Sunday evening... as long as our flight doesn't get delayed. A post tropical storm is going to be landing on late saturday or early sunday. providing all goes well, we will fly from Halifax to Toronto and then on to Santiago. We are planning on packing our bags tonight and putting what ever we are not taking into our storage unit.

Vamos a Chile en seis dias!

10 DAYS

only 10 days left... Nessicito practicar espanol todos los dias! Pronto!

14 days

14 days until we leave. The next two weeks are going to be very busy, but worth the craziness! We just had a beautiful weekend at Rissers Beach - fun in the hot sun!

hasn't really settled in yet, 14 days...

Test Post

This is a test.

19 days and counting until we leave for Chile! We fly from Halifax to Toronto, for a short stop-over, then head to Santiago.