Hey everyone!
I’m
sorry for my absentness in November…things are always so crazy this time of
year, but they were especially crazy for me around Thanksgiving time. I was
incredibly lucky because I got to go on a trip with my family to visit my
brother, who has been studying abroad in Santiago, Chile since July! It was an
amazing trip, filled with delicious food, beautiful sites, and so many new
cultural experiences.
We
were there for just under a week, but we saw absolutely everything we possible
could. In sunny Santiago, we gazed at palm-tree filled parks and quiet
neighborhoods along side bustling restaurants and glittering skyscrapers. We
meandered through my brother’s Universidad campus, ate unbelievable pork
sandwiches with his host family, and rode up a (slightly rickety) cable car to
the top of a hill to look out over the entire city, which is humongous and home
to more than seven million people.
We
also travelled southward down the coast to the island of Chiloe, which is the
second largest island in South America. It was breathtaking–I’ve never before
seen such vivid green hills and calm blue-gray water. Colorful farm-houses and
grazing cows dotted the countryside, and mussel farms floated at the water’s
edge. I felt like I was looking at a postcard! On the island, we were able to
visit so many beautiful seaside towns, all of which were filled with a rainbow
array of houses. We explored markets filled to the brim with colorful handmade
goods and local homemade foods (especially seafood empanadas…mmmm). We were
even able to be a little adventurous– one day my brother and I braved the
chilly waters to go sea-kayaking, which was extremely fun, as it was my first
time ever being in the Pacific Ocean.
We
went back to the main land, and then ventured a little north again, to visit a
beachside city called Valparaiso, which was also very big and full of life.
Nearly every wall or public staircase was covered with creative murals and graffiti–the
whole city felt like a giant art exhibit. It was awesome! They even had a mural
that said–in English, interestingly enough–“We are not hippies, we are just
happies.” I though it was really funny!
I
am so thankful and thrilled to have had the opportunity to travel to such a
vibrant, welcoming, and fascinating place, and I hope that someday I’ll be able
to go back. I thought I’d share a few photos from my trip…
this is part of the view from the top of the hill in Santiago–it was too big to see all of it from right there! 
Chiloe :)
a stand at one of the really cool markets
- Sophie :)
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