Pollo Asado

Welp, the weather was perfect yesterday so i said - i said to myself, "self, best oughta go on another bicycle ride!" and that's exactly what i did. This time i rode my bicycle 32 kilometers (round trip) a la Ojos de Caburgua - a beautiful group of waterfalls east of Pucon. It was another fantastic ride and this time, much to my delight, sans rain! Additionally, the gorgeous weather and clear skies offered amazing views of the volcano towering over town. It was a pretty enjoyable ride, indeed. While pictures fail to do the scenery justice, i tried my best...

This weekend i was planning on climbing the volcano, but the beta i've received around town is that the conditions are not the greatest right now. Instead, i have decided to travel three hours to the north to go snowboarding on a different volcano! Let's hear it for spring(?) skiing! And volcanoes!!

Mountains in the Mist

Welp, I had my first spanish lesson in Pucon today, and as it turns out since there is only one other student singed up for lessons this week, i am receiving private lessons for the entire week. For the same price as group lessons! How cool is that? Let's hear it for traveling in the off season!

To celebrate i rented a bicycle, grabbed a map, and took a very wet and rainy ride into the country. It wasn't anything too far or difficult, but it was throughly enjoyable. Roughly a 22k mix of paved and dirt roads, with about 1k of single track thrown in there to keep things interesting, brought me to my destination at la playa a la Rio Platt . Even though it rained for the majority of my ride it was very tranquil, serene, and a much appreciated change from the hustle and bustle in Santiago. Albeit wet and rainy. 

Most of the scenery was obscured by clouds, but what little there was to see was quite inspiring. Did i mention this was the first time i have ridden a bicycle in nearly a month? Pretty much sex on wheels, i'll tell you what. I cannot wait for the weather to clear. Did i mention it was a really wet ride!? It rained the entire way to the river. Thanks for the rain pants Uncle Rich. They were put to good use today. Fortunately, the weather cooperated for my return ride and stopped raining just long enough for me to ride home without my hood up. I think i am visiting during the rainy season. But alas, it's still beautiful. 

One Week

Welp, it's been one whole week and i'm not in jail or dead. So i think things are going alright for me! 

Last night i left Santiago by bus and arrived this morning in beautiful Pucón, Chile - roughly 780km south of Santiago and one step closer to the edge of the continent. 

Let, Let Me In

I experienced my first earthquake today. It was pretty small. Maybe a three? Maybe a four? And it lasted a only a few seconds. Imagine if your house was only fifteen feet or so from some rail road tracks and an extremely fast train passed by. That's kinda of what it was like. Did i feel the earth shake? No. Did i feel the ground quake? No, but the doors and windows of my classroom rattled for a little bit. I was concentrating so much on my studies, i didn't realize what was happening until it was over. That's how small it was. Still, i am very happy to be able to check that off my life to do list. 

And rest assured, all is safe and well in Santiago. Apparently, much like L.A., this is a somewhat common event. 

Language Lesson of the Day: In Español, earthquakes of lesser magnitude are called los temblores. 

Did you feel the tremor? Say it with me now! ¿Se sintió el temblor?

Nuns on the run!

Well, i have survived the last four days in Santiago. Because of this small miracle, i went to la Iglesia de Santiago to give thanks.  And take photos. Mainly take photos. But to give thanks also. 

Movin' Away

holy shit. holy shit. holy shit. holy shit. holy shit. holy shit. holy shit. holyshit. holyshit. shit. shit. shit. 

Well, i guess i'm really doing this. Wish me luck!