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:
- Greg is managing culture shock with grace, most of the time, and is surprised at how much Spanish he actually understands.
- Eliana is managing family shock with grace, most of the time, and is surprised at how extraverted she can be.
- Orange and lemon trees are in season and are planted randomly throughout the city.
- Lots of smokers, in restaurants especially. Greg's beard smells like smoke even though he hasn't touched a cigarette.
- 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
Am so glad you kids made it safe! Sound like you are already having a blast. I can't believe you guys arn't just a phone call away anymore. Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteNaboba, aka Navoda.
P.S. post more ice cream flavours...I'm extremely intrigued, and would like to live vicariously through you both!
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad to hear from you. I promise to follow your blog, and I can't wait to hear more about your travels and your new life in Chile.
Love Nicky and Pablo (Biff and Daisy say hi too)
1. I'm glad you're alive.
ReplyDelete2. Also good to hear your bed is 'heated.'
3. Eating delicious food and ice cream is one of the best hobbies in existence, I think.
4. Those crazy oranges and lemons, growing in winter! How do they do it!?
5. It kind of stinks that it's winter and cold. Three weeks shouldn't be too bad though. Here, it's just reversed where we only get three weeks of summer.
6. I miss you guys.
7. I also love you a lot.
8. (Richie does too)
xo
Yo, Dad said you should have brought the fleece blanket. :)
ReplyDeleteMiguel