Catching my breath...

Well, today is my last day in Santiago before we begin to travel again. I'm sad to leave this amazing city and all of the incredible people that we've met along the way, but if this trip has shown me anything it’s that each day is even better than the last. We will be returning to Santiago for one final night and “free” day. Erin, my team mate, and I have decided to visit the National Gallery and meander the downtown area. It will be an incredible finale to explore this monstrous city on our own.

Tomorrow we take the train to Curico, and will be there for four days. After that we get an official break: two days in a mountain cabin with nothing to do and no outside socializing. Just rest and bonding with the team. It sounds heavenly!

In the nine days of this trip, I feel as though I've only been able to share a tenth of my adventures with you! In an effort to catch up and catch my breath I am going to just walk through the schedule of events and post a few photos from the last few days. My days usually begin by waking up, getting ready, and eating breakfast with my host family (cheese, ham, bread with marmalade and coffee) and finish with the end of dinner (around 1:00 a.m.) The schedule’s pace and pictures, I think, speak to the extraordinary nature of this trip.

Tuesday, April 21^st:

A professional visit in the Andes where we toured a school that serves a very rural population. I took pictures from the tallest mountain I’ve ever been on!

A BBQ at one of the districts Rotarians. The thing to know about Chilean BBQ is that it is steak cooked on a gargantuan outdoor grill. It’s an event that lasts several hours.

Rotary club visit and presentation.Folks here eat dinner between 9:30-10:30 p.m., so these club meetings usually wind down around 1:00 a.m.

Wednesday, April 22^nd:

A professional visit to the University of Chile

Rotary club visit and presentation (this is the biggest club in Santiago with about 200 members where we, literally, received the red carpet treatment).

A visit and tour of the Presidential Palace (our White House) where we actually stood in the room where Allende died during the 1973 coup. Unbelievable!!!

Thursday, April 23^rd:

Travel to San Bernardo where we met the Mayor. Chile has a women President, women legislators and as you can see below, women mayors. Love it!

We also visited a snail farm (yes… snail farm), and presented to the Rotary Club.

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Visited a military vineyard, owned and operated by the army. We watched the 100 year old process they still use to make wine and then had a tasting. Mmmmm Hmmmmm!

Until later!