Thursday, April 15, 2010

Easter eggs and Pascua bunnies

We got back to Santiago right in time for Easter.  To tell you the truth, I wasn´t so psyched about celebrating Easter at first.  It seemed like another day in the life, and it was so strange being away from family for Easter.  Last Holy Week we were able to share with Matt´s folkswhen they came to visit, then my folks and Emily came right before Christmas and so we celebrated with them and again with the girls.  New Years we had a blast with Tía Veronica´s family... but this Easter?  Erick and Gloria were working at the Restraunt, Celia and Alberto were down in Chillán...

Well, Saturday I finally got to thinking about all the things I love the most about Easter... and started to get excited.  We scurried on over to the Hogar early Sunday to pick up Laura and Cynthia and so the fun began!  Every little moment of the day was something new and exciting for them.  We hiked up to mass at the top of San Cristobal Hill in the morning.  At the very top there is a large statue of the Virgin Mary and an outdoor church with rows of potted flowers in front of each bench.  The view is breathtaking and looks out on the whole Santiago valley.  After mass, we rode the tram down the hill, and headed for home.

Right away we got to cooking, and Laura helped me make cinamon rolls, while Cynthia and Matt headed out for some forgotten groceries.  Neither of the girls had ever dyed eggs before, but the real party started with the egg cracking contest.  Those girls were good!  Matt and I now officially have never won an egg cracking contest on 2 continents!  In the end Cynthia beat Laura by a hair.


It was so nice to be able to spend the day with them. I had forgotten how much fun we had had, and how much we would laugh.  It was so nice to spend time with them on our own terms, in our own space, and just enjoy.  Cynthia told us at the end of our day what a nice environment, and how relaxing it was at our new house.  The sisters at the Hogar were so greatful, and it was so wonderful to get the girls one on one.  We´ve got it all planned out now, and we´re going to take 6 girls out for a day each month, in sets of 2 (or 3 different weekends).  I can´t wait for next Sunday!


Here are more pictures to check out.  Cynthia made me promise I´d upload them ALL! :)  Enjoy.

Vacation time! (it finally arrived!)

Ok, so I felt really guilty about taking some time for ourselves right after the earthquake.  We needed to be with Chile, with the people, but after 2 intense weeks at the Nursing Home, a relaxing week in the mountains, with a peaceful lake, a smoking volcano and hundreds of beautiful waterfalls sounded like just what the doctor ordered.  We picked good!  Pucón was amazing.  The first picture is the view of the lake from our little cabin we rented.









The scenary was amazing.  There are wild fuchsias, a wild cousin of the rhubarb plant with enormous leaves called Nalka, and the same great sour flavor.  We saw our first wild Copihue flowers in full bloom (the Chilean national flower).  We even happened upon a large grove of blackberries, and took a big bag home to make blackberry pie!  Around every corner was a new beautiful surprise.


The highlight of our trip was.. well, actually sleeping in til noon... but beyond that... the highlight was definately hiking up an old lava flow from 1974.  It was amazing being in the middle of the flow, and imaging the power, how alive it had been, and how it had changed the whole landscape of the hill and valleys around it.  To physically be present in that space and feeling so small, you appreciate in a new way (once again) the awesomeness of God´s creation.  I wish I had a better picture, but hope this gives you an idea. You can ski this whole area here in the winter, about half way up the mountain.  I would love to go back and ski this same flow.  It´d be like returning to a new mountain, and experiencing it in a whole new way.


Our last big adventure was to the 80 meter waterfall. There was this deep revene, and standing just 20 meters away from it you´d never know it was there.  The cliffs were so lush and green, it was like out of Jurasic Park, or a mini Niagra.  We put on our swim suits and walked over to the rocks on the far side of the waterfall.  The water, even though it was really the size of a stream, had enormous force.  The wind the water created when it hit the pool must have been near 80 mph.  we were soaked through in 2 seconds. The intensity of being in the water´s domain was amazing.  You could only be in the present moment, all other thoughts were imposible.  It was like a crash course in intense nature meditation, leaving you energized and refreshed.

Definately worth the trip.  You all should come next February... Eric and Gloria have promised to go with us and they´re bringing the tent!!!

More Pictures Here!  Más fotos aquí!