Avenida Italia

Here in Santiago there is a specific street for everything. If you want a bicycle you go to Calle San Diego, if you want fabric you go to Calle Rosas and if you want vintage furniture - you come here to Avenida Italia.

Avenida Italia is the place for salvaged and awesome vintage furniture(plus a few extra antiquey vintagey goodies). During the week I walk up Italia to get to work, I can smell the laquer from a block or so away. During the week all of the furniture shops open up and move their work into the sidewalks sanding, painting, and re-upholstering vintage furniture. But the best time to go is on Saturdays when they put everything out. If we were moving here for good, this is where I would buy all of our furniture.

Being only a few blocks from our flat I love wandering up here on Saturdays to browse the treasures. And I'm always so tempted!

A few of these suitcases would be an awesome chest for the end of a bed...

Look at all that potential in there! Where is the Avenida Italia in Virginia??

Escaping the Smog

Today on our day off (Thanks to you - Saint Peter and Saint Paul) we went to the east side of Santiago where the city limits meet Aguas de Ramon park. There we trekked our way up into the Andes away from smoggy Santiago.

There was still some snow on the peaks in the distance that hadn't yet melted from last weekends storms.

Looking back to the smoggy city. See why we were ready for the fresh air? 

We saw vegetation of all types as we moved from the dry rocky slopes down into the damp riverbed. 

Then we found a mini cascada (waterfall).... 

But we went elsewhere to eat our picnic lunch. It got awfully cool in the shade. 

Walking back we were on a Northern slope that didn't recieve much sun. Here we found our first Andes snow!

It was a wonderful end to our three day weekend. We hope to return soon for the longer 7 hour hike further into the park.

¡Feliz Dia Papa(s)!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

So proud to say your mine. 

Miss and love you tons.

Happy Father's Day to both a great Dad and Brother-in-law!

Love you both.



"Autumn's Sweet We Call It Fall"

There aren’t nearly as many deciduous trees here in Santiago to reveal the signs of fall, though I found a few leaves to get my fix as if it were something like a Virginia autumn.  We are envious of the summer back at home but our time will come again in November.  Happy Weekend!

Part 4- Even further into the Valley, Giddy Up!

Sunday morning we woke up early and drove even deeper into the valley through the tiny towns of Paihuano, Monte Grande, and Pisco Elqui to hop on horseback for a morning ride.  

After a quick lesson on climbing on, steering left and right, speeding up and stopping we were lead out into the the dry rocky terrain of Chiles' 4th region.

 

We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather... It was simply a gorgeous day.

Juan - our guide. He definitely pulled off the hat better than us gringos.

 

What a cutie. They ran out of adult sized hats so Henry had to wear a kiddie sized one.

The view down into the valley was incredible.

(Minus the pile of road apples.)

After the ride we stopped in town to explore a little and grab a bite for lunch.

We made a new friend for Basil.

 

Then we climbed back in the fiat for our journey back through the valley westward which would evetually run into the PanAm to take us south, to our home away from home.

The sun set behind our backs concluding just one of many adventures we'll take exploring this long skinny country.