Posted by Lisa on February 10th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Today, my parents, my friend Joanna, and I went on an all day tour to Isla Damas. I think the pictures say it all. Enjoy!
Dolphins
Sea Lions
How many sea lions can you count on the rock? Extra points if you can find a turkey vulture!
Penguins
Pelicans
Peruvian Booby (no, not those kinds, the birds)
Red Legged Cormorants
Rufous-collared Sparrow
In addition we saw many gulls, regular cormorants and a sand piper, I think. The fisherman at the docks were busy bringing in their morning catch of mackrel, congrio, and sea weed.
Crazy fishermen gutting his congrio on the beach
We all had a wonderful time
Our trusty boat
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Posted by Lisa on February 8th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Today was more of a relaxing day then the past few days. My mom and I went down town, walked around, went to the cathedral, a travel agency and had the car washed. At the travel agency we got information on Isla Damas, which has the penguins and we hope to go on Friday. Once we came home, we booked our trip to Santiago. We’re gong to take the bus down and stay for 3 nights, should be fun. After lunch my mom, I and my friend Jaime went to the beach for a couple of hours. My dad opted to stay home with the pup read and watch movies. At the beach, my mom read her book for our book club that was tonight, which we ended up not going to, and Jaime and I relaxed in the sun, read a little, and went swimming in the ocean. The water was cold but very realxing. The beach was packed so we also did a lot of people watching. Tomorrow we plan on hiking in the morning then driving along the coast. Hopefully we’ll have good weather.
(unfortunately, my pics from today are not that good, oh well)
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Posted by Lisa on January 29th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Today, Steve and I had a nice relaxing day. After a yummy breakfast of waffles we watched the new Harry Potter movie. Overall, I really liked it, but I don’t think it’s my favorite of all the movies, though it is my favorite of the books. Afterwards we all went on a nice almost 2 hr hike to Cerro Grande. While hiking we found the remains of an old house. We’re not sure how old it was, but it was fun to explore. We then spent the rest of the afternoon getting the house ready for the rents and playing ping pong.
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Posted by Lisa on January 28th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Last night, Steve and I threw our first big party here in La Serena. Of course, it was a wine and cheese party, 2 of my favorite things, it was also a despedida for our friends Del and Gary, who will be leaving us next week. Del and I went to the wine shop in town and picked out 3 reds and 3 whites for our blind tasting- 2 carmeneres and a cab sav, and 2 chardonnays and a semillon. We then covered the labels and numbered them, and Del made up questions for everyone to answer. We had a ton of cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, nuts, pretzels, choripan and homemade cookies. Most people brought a bottle of their favorite wine to share with everyone. I was expecting about 20 people, and of course had bought way too much cheese, and in reality we had about 60 or more people at the party. We ended up polishing off about 30 bottle’s of wine in all and some beer. People brought their kids which ranged from infant to 13, and I ended up setting up the kids in our bedroom, pulled out the futon gave them soda, popcorn and candy and they watched movies. We were a little worried about how Leyna would behave, but she did awesome. She played a little with the kids, but mostly hung out with the adults. Everyone was amazed at how well she did, she hardly ever jumped up on people, preferring to snuggle with them on the couch. All in all it was a very successful party, of course, what else would you expect from me?
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Posted by Lisa on January 11th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Yesterday I had a nice outing with my friends Joanna, Jaime, Rikki and Jenny. We went to Coquimbo (yes, the infamous town where my camera got stolen) and went on a boat ride to Sea Lion Island. It only cost 1500 pesos which is a little under $3. It lasted about an hour, and was fun. I think that there was more sea lions at Isla Damas, but it was nice anyways. Afterwards we went shopping at the outdoor shops (and met a pirate, arrghhh), then went to a fabulous lunch at Costa de Costa. For only 2500 pesos (about $5) each, we got an bread, appetizer, main course, dessert and drink. They also had artwork up from a local artist whose show I went to a few moths ago and bought 2 paintings. We’re planning on going back next week and getting henna tattoo’s that should last about a week.
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Posted by Lisa on January 7th, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Last night the dance studio had their summer performance. After much deliberation, I decided to join the West African Dance Class and perform. I didn’t do too bad. I messed up a couple of times, but who cares. Steve came and got it on video, so at some point i’ll post that for you all to see. For now you’ll just have to be happy with some pics. My friend Rikki also danced as did 4 chileans. Jaime let us borrow some costumes so we would look authentic. I’m happy I got over my performance anxiety. The other classes that performed were beginner ballet (which were cute little 4 year olds), an older ballet group of kids, adult ballet, contemporary dance and flamenco. I would love to take flamenco classes. Their costumes were beautiful and they danced wonderfully. When I first came to Chile, my main goal was to enjoy it and do things I would never have done in the states, and this is one of them. I actually really enjoy taking the dance class, it’s good exercise and fun. Maybe when you come and visit, you can come to class too!
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Posted by Lisa on January 2nd, 2006 — Posted in Activities
Last night we went to our friends Jaime and Marcel’s house for Hannukah. We got to light the menorah, play with dreidels, eat and drink and sing songs. Some of Jaime’s jewish friends came and a bunch of people from the recinto. One of my favorite songs we sang is called ocho kandelikas. This song is in a language called Ladino, which is a jewish language from medieval Spain and is still spoken today by Sefardic jews. The song talks about the 8 candles that are lit for Hannukah.
Hanuka linda sta aqui, ocho kadelas para mi (2x)
Ay,
Una kandelika,
Dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas
Quatro kandelikas
Cinco kandelikas
Sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas
Ocho kandelas para mi.
Muchas fiestas vo fazer, con alegrias y plazer. (2x)
Ay, una kandelika…
Los pastelicos vo cumer, con almendricas y la miel. (2x)
Ay, una kandelika…
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Posted by Lisa on December 25th, 2005 — Posted in Activities
I just wanted to say, merry christmas to everyone. I miss you all and wish we could spend the holiday’s together. Steve, Leyna and I had a wonderful christmas. I made a yummy french toast casserole for breakfast, then we opened presents. Steve got a traditional chilean cowboy outfit- poncho and sombrero and a bunch of little things, and 2 sea fishing poles and a yerba matte cup with metal straw.
Leyna really enjoyed her first christmas. She loved opening presents and chewing on the wrapping paper. Her favorite gift was a big rawhide bone. I got her a super soaker water gun to spray her with when she’s bad. It even has a tank attached to it so it holds a ton of water. I know i’ll enjoy it 🙂 Poor puppy though, it’s worse then coal…
My big christmas present is an outdoor patio set. To go with it Steve got me a bunch of plates, silverware and cups. I also got a nice bottle of amaretto and creme liquer, candy, kitchen gadgets, tea, and a movie.
We were all ready to go to the beach today and have a picnic with pasta salad, champagne and wine and to hang out with friends. Unfortunately, it’s cold and overcast, so instead we stayed home, ate and watched Elf. I think we’re going to watch Badder Santa next. Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!!!!
Love and miss you!!!
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Posted by Lisa on December 25th, 2005 — Posted in Activities
Last night we went to a christmas eve party at our friends house. There was about 20 of us there and fun times were had by all. I made this awesome almond cheesecake. We drank wine and champagne and dined on a feast. We even got to partake in “christmas crackers” which are these tube things that you pull apart and inside is a hat and a prize. It was a nice celebration though I did miss all my family and friends.
Separated at birth??
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Posted by Lisa on December 21st, 2005 — Posted in Activities
Yesterday I went to the organic farm, and helped harvest. We harvested swiss chard, kale, beets, yellow squash, cilantro, basil, string beans and arugula. The arugula that we picked was from the plants that I had planted a while ago. While picking one plant, a found a big snail on it. I think I mentioned one other time how our bags of organic veggies have been known to have bugs and snails on them. I took a picture of the cebollas (onions) that I had weeded last time. I’m going to try to go every Wednesday to help harvest. Other news is that today was my last spanish lesson until the new year! It’s just like school, getting a winter break.
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