Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my best friend. 

Cheers to an incredible first year and to so many more that lie ahead. Love you. 

(Photos courtesy of Sarah Cramer)

From bud to bloom...

We are so thrilled to finally begin to see the signs of spring!

So long winter!!!

On day just the buds.... the next full blossoms!

It's so nice seeing the magnolias, flowering quince, daffodils, paper whites and more bringing spring along with them...

And then there's this pup. She's sitting in this chair almost every morning outside of her house waiting for the sun to shine over the wall to warm her up. We say hola every morning on my walk to work. I think she's ready for spring too. 

Happiness...utter happiness

I love his drive for life. I love that he is always learning and will never stop. I love his curly hair. I love that he is never afraid to fail. I love his sense of humor and his sarcasm. I love that he’s not afraid to make a fool of himself. I love that he loves Mexican food. I love his crazy eyebrows. I love that he is always willing to help others. I love that he married me for who I am.  I love that he makes me breakfast in bed. I love that he is always thinking. I love that he inspires me. I love that we are on this adventure together. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I love that he is my husband.

A Picnic Downtown

Last weekend Henry and I made a picnic lunch and headed to downtown Santiago. Our destination: Cerro Santa Lucía.

 This hill was conquered by Pedro de Valdivia in December of 1541 where it served as the lookout point during the conquista. In 1820 Fort Hidalgo was built as a defense for the city.

A little more than 50 years later Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna, in an aim to improve the city, remodled Santa Lucía Hill by adding a road, the park, fountains and an elaborate entrance.  Located in the middle of downtown it offers a slight escape for visitors from the busy streets.

We enjoyed camembert and crackers.

As well as cucumber sandwiches.

Salto de Apoquindo

We returned to Aguas de Ramon a weekend or so ago for a second hike. We thought El Peumo was nice on the previous trip but we wanted to go again but for a little longer. And a little longer we did… We began hiking at 9:45 on Saturday morning.  We had a rain storm a few days before so there was a little less smog laying over the city and a lot more snow atop the Andes.

About three hours in we were finally getting close and about to cross the second river when we came across a group of cows quenching their thirst in the stream. 

We pondered for a moment whether or not to bother them and to search for another spot to cross when these guys showed up behind us….

There we were on the trail in between the thirsty cows and apparently thirsty wild horses and donkeys. So we scurried down into the stream bed about 20feet down from the cows to watch these two herds interact.

But there wasn’t much question that the horses ruled the terrain. As soon as they felt we were far enough out of their way they galloped right down into the stream forcing the cows up, out and onto the steep slope on the other side. They did not appear happy with all of the ‘moos’ they were letting out. The horses drank happily and proudly as if they had claimed this as their watering hole.

We climbed up on the opposing bank to continue the hike but then had to encourage the vacas along in front of us because they aren’t exactly the type to step a little off the trail to let you pass. They mooed and grunted as Henry drove them up the steep incline.

Within 20 minutes we were finally at the waterfall. I reminisced momentarily on our hikes to the cascades in good old Blacksburg. It was beautiful but pretty chilly in the shade and with all of the mist.

It’s hard to believe that we hiked 10 kilometers away from the far east side of Santiago into this stunning landscape.  It felt so good yet again to get out of the city hustle.

All in all we finished our 12+ mile excursion in reasonable time and arrived back to the flat just as the sun was setting.

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.