Adventures in Atacama: Valle de Arcoiris

Of all the thrilling excursions and spectacular places we had heard about in the Atacama Desert, the Valle de Arcoiris wasn’t a hotspot that immediately captured my imagination. It was only by chance, on the flight from Santiago to Antofagasta, that the Llama read about a hike into the valley from the Sky Airline magazine.  We tore out the page, folded it up and stuffed it between the pages of the guidebook I often carried but rarely consulted.

Gringa Tax

My hair is thick and wavy, my eyes are brown and steady. My skin is not very dark nor very light, and I´m definitely not too tall. My tongue rolls r´s and sails past d´s, and has no trouble cooing u´s. If I keep my sentences short and uncomplicated, most days I can “pass.”

Suprises in Santiago

Welcome to Santiago, dear readers.  I’ve been quiet for a bit, and I wish I hadn’t been because life happens fast. Discoveries every step of the way keep me playing along and optimistic that soon, normalcy will creep in. Tuesday, May 31st marks five months of living in Chile.

Feeling at Home in Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar is Valparaíso’s responsible and trend-conscious little sister working hard to come out from behind her older sibling’s über-cool shadow.

Valparaíso: A City Built in Neverland

A few months ago, I could not have told you the name of a single street in the entire country of Chile.  I could make broad statements about the desert in the north, the mountains in the south, and a fertile wine growing valley surrounding the capital city in the center.  The intricacies of this skinny country were nothing more than abstractions of guidebook details.

Llama Post – Photo of the Week

A warm sunset breaks through storm clouds and shines down on Valparaíso, Chile.

Chilean Spanish: Language Lessons

So you took high school Spanish, maybe even some classes in college.  It’s been a few years, but you at least know how to say “hello,” “goodbye,” “I want a beer,” “where is the bathroom,” and “thank you.” Right?

Not so fast, there, weon.  Chileans don’t frequently use “hola” or “adios.” They say “alo” and “ciao ciao.”

Llama Post: Photo of the Week

Do you see the blue cat painted on the white door?

En Route to Mendoza

Today we’re trading Chile’s little known Colchagua Valley Carmeneres for Argentina’s famed Mendoza Malbecs.  

PART TWO: Sandy Summits Cerro La Campana

5:00am came far too early for all that evening commotion, so we rolled over and hit snooze.  It was closer to 7:30am when I stuck my head out of our tent to take in the view.  Mostly I was checking to see if Sandy was anywhere in sight. She wasn’t.

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, you may want to do that first!