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?