Posted by Lisa on October 18th, 2005 — Posted in Activities
Yesterday, I went to the beach with my friend Joanna and with a new woman Anne Marie who has just moved down here from New Hampshire. Her husband is on sabbatical, and is a professor of marine biology. He is currently studying some type of seaweed found here in Chile. Last weekend they were up in the northern part of Chile and said that the desert is blooming. This happens every couple of years, when there has been a large amount of rainfall. Steve and I are thinking about driving up north this weekend to see the flowers. Anyways I digress, about my bad day. So after laying out on the beach for a while, it was a beautiful, and sunny day with a small breeze, we decided to go to Coquimbo for fish sandwiches. We walked around the market in Coquimbo where everybody peddles their goods, and then went to the fish market. After a terrific sandwich, I wanted to go see the sea-lions. So picture this, we are walking down a dirt road along the ocean. On the left hand side of us is the ocean, but you couldn’t really see it do to the construction going on, on the right hand side are a bunch of beautifully colored boats. On our way to the pier, a small kitten popped out from under a boat. It was the cutest thing. I decided to take a picture of the tiny kitten. I got out my camera and was bent down and taking a picture when out of no where my camera is ripped from my hand. I stand up and see a guy running away with my camera. What nerve!!! So of course, I start yelling like an idiot, my camera, he stole my camera, stop, arrete!!! And give chase. Not really sure what I was thinking of as I started to run after him, I mean really. Even if I was able to catch up to him, and then miracle of miracles knock him down, then what would I do? “Uh, hey man, that’s my camera??” He ran too fast and got away. There was a group of guys out by their truck (definitely smelling like they had been smoking), that said that he had got away. Luckily Joanna was with me and was able to communicate with them. We think that wanted us to go for a ride in their truck and go looking, but we declined. We think they also said that this guy was from Santiago, and was robbing lots of tourists, his nickname being, ironically enough “the robber”. I’m so sad. I was so excited to get a bunch of pictures this weekend of the desert to share with you guys, though lucky for me I have my friend Joanna down here that will let me borrow her camera. But still. In the end, nothing horrible happened to me, but I still feel violated, and slightly like a dork. I mean, come on, he stole my camera out of my hand as I was taking a picture. I did download all my pics from my trip home the night before so those were saved. I would really have been upset if I had lost my pics from Karin’s wedding. So that in all, was my very sad day 🙁
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Posted by Lisa on October 15th, 2005 — Posted in Activities
So, I hear that I have been lax in my blog duties, I apologize. Now that I’m back in Chile, let the blog postings begin! I relaxed my first couple of days back, kinda hibernated. On Friday, I ventured out. I went to a traditional weaving class hosted at my friend Joanna’s house. There, a woman came form a neighboring town (Chipelca?) to teach us how to weave. Apparently this weaving process has been passed down from generation to generation in her family with no modernized updates. They use all natural products, and make everything themselves. She is involved in the entire process from shearing the sheep, to creating the yarn, to dying it with natural elements-, like cactus juice, bugs, flowers, herbs, etc. It was a wonderful class, and I look forward to more. In November I get to travel to this town, and watch the dying process. I can’t wait. Here are a couple of pics from the class, and of my beginning weaving project. I think it will be a wall hanging, though apparently I will be able to make purses, placemats, and more. Hmmm, maybe i’ll make some christmas presents!!
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Posted by Steve on October 14th, 2005 — Posted in Your Guest Host Steve
It has been since Oct 1st that we have had a post on this blog and since Sept 29th that she has posted herself. Chile has been con Lisa since Tuesday and yet no new entries. I doubt I am alone in wanting Lisa to get busy with the blog again so I’m starting this petition (on her own blog no less).
We the undersigned demand immediate updates!!!
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Posted by Steve on October 1st, 2005 — Posted in Your Guest Host Steve
Since nothing too exciting has been happening here in Chile, I thought I’d share some more wonders from the garden.
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This little orange flower emerges from a little pod. Not every pod that grows out of the plant produces a flow, some are just hollow. The dark center of the flower is tube-like and extends way back into the pod with some white striping on the inside. |
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This tree in the backyard is a Brugmansia. They are native to South America and have become more popular in the US in recent years. However, they cannot be wintered outside in most parts of the US and are typically shrub size and not 15 feet tall. This one hasn’t been cared for very well recently and needs some trimming to get rid of the old growth. |
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This is one of the Brugmansia blossoms. The flower is approx 6-8 inches long. The flower just emerged so it is still a bit green. It will whiten and the edges will curl up a bit more as it gets older. When watering the backyard earlier I estimated that there are around 100 of these blossoms on the tree. I’m hoping the majority of them wait until we get back from D.C. I think the tree bloomed not too long before we moved into the house, so hopefully it will continue to bloom frequently. From what I’ve read the flowers release a wonderful fragrance at night. |
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This odd flower pops up out of a large green tropical plant in the back. The stalk emerged from the planet, bearing what looked like several individual flower buds. Then the the ‘buds’ just sort of unrolled and the red petals flopped down. It didn’t look that spectacular at first but it is looking nicer and nice as more petals unroll. |
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This flower looks normal from afar but a close-up look reveals that each ‘petal’ on the flower is actually a separate flower itself! How cool. |
Well, that is enough for today’s edition. Don’t worry, there are plenty more odd,interesting and beautiful plants for the future.
4 Comments »
Posted by Steve on September 29th, 2005 — Posted in Your Guest Host Steve
My friends and I threw a little party for you down here. Wish you were here!
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Posted by Lisa on September 29th, 2005 — Posted in Uncategorized
Cumpleaños Feliz
Te deseamos a ti.
Que tengas Karin
Cumpleaños Feliz!!!!
6 Comments »
Posted by Lisa on September 26th, 2005 — Posted in Travel
Being the typical brainiac that I am, I of course forgot to bring my cord to connect the camera to the computer. Luckily, in Nags Head, Al was smart enough to bring his, but unfortunately my parents cord doesn’t fit, so I haven’t been able to post. I’ve been having a wonderful time at home, and can’t wait to share with you all my stories and pics, but that will have to wait until I return to Chile. I’m sure you are all going into withdrawl, so I borrowed my parents camera so I can FINALLY post. My friends Cara and Joel and Joel’s younger brother Tim, came home for the weekend to hang out. We had a great time while they were here. On Saturday, we went to the Big E which is a big fair in Massachusettes (I have pics to share on my camera…), and on Sunday we particiapated in the local lupus walk, which I did bring my parents camera to. The four of us were a team “Lobsters for Lupus”, we wore our cool lobster hats we purchased at the fair (story about hats to come), and had a fun walk. I even think we may have been on TV, since the camera people followed us for a little while. We met our friend, Rocky the Rock Cat, who seemed to have the hots for Cara! I’m not only cool I may be famous too!!!
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Posted by Steve on September 24th, 2005 — Posted in Your Guest Host Steve
or the State of the Yard Address
The yard at casa 22 has seen better years and Lisa and I are slowly trying to improve things. Three things have really contributed to the current state of things; 1) sort sort of disease attacked the wonderful hedges, 2) the powers that be cut down an enormous number of trees on the recinto, and 3) no one seems to have taken much care with the yard in many years.
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This a view of the south side of the house, Here you can see a portion of the hedge still in good condition and a palm type tree I like. The flowers around it can go, as far as I’m concerned. |
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These are two “boogenvalias” or whatever they are called. Lisa got them too climb up and over the front door overhang. The one farthest from the house is doing well and has lots of new growth coming. The other one is a bit more touch and go at this point. |
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This little plot has Lisa’s peppermint flower plant in the center. It was once surrounded by nice little flowers. Then the evil bunny rabbits came and destroyed the plot and ate the flowers. I then put up this little fence and so far it has kept anything from getting in. Unfortunately, only two plants seemed to have survived this horrible coming of the bunnies. |
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The real mystery is why this group of flowers remains untouched by the rabbits. They are right across from the other plot and have many of the same flowers. Whatever the reason, these are looking good. |
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This is much more typical of the rest of the yard. A real hodgepodge of plants, some nicer than others. |
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This is a close-up of one of the plants. I like this one since the petals emerge green and turn purple and white as the age. I have no idea what kind of plant this is. Any ideas? |
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This is view down the driveway. We haven’t decided what to put here yet but what is there already looks more like weeds than anything else. You can see some of the decimated hedge in the background. |
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This is the wall to the recinto that forms about 1/3 of our property line (our plot is a triangle). Obviously, we would like to do something to obscure this as much from view. |
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Lisa’s herb garden. This was seed a few weeks ago. |
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One of the nicer plants around this house. There are a bunch of these in the backyard. |
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Here a group of plants I really don’t like. These ‘spider shoots’ or whatever they are don’t look so good and just get in the way. I think they were an attempt to disguise the electric and gas meters. However, since people have to access them to read them, they are actually cleared there. I don’t foresee much future for these plants. The ground beneath them is covered in some sort of clover. |
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Here is a mystery plant. I thought this was a rose bush. Has rose-like leaves, stems, thorns and flower bud. Only when it opened, it was this flower. It even smells like a rose. Maybe this is a type of rose I’m unfamiliar with, Any clues? |
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Here is the sad state of affairs at the top of the property (the top point of the triangle). The hedge is wiped out, the trees are gone and there is pretty much dirt and weeds. Sad. |
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Here is why it is really sad. There is such a great view and potential at the top of the hill. |
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One last mystery. This is one of the plants/weeds growing at the top of the hill. It is covered with what appears to be dew drops over the entire surface of the plant. It isn’t water and they are some sort of protected bubbles of sap or something. I only touched it with a twig since I wasn’t sure if it was poisonous or not, and I have no desire to itch the night away. Does anybody know what kind of plant this is? What strikes me as especially odd is the fact that this is growing naturally (no special care from us) in arid environment. This seems like a particular waste of moisture in this type of environment. This plant is all over the hilltop and seems to be doing well. |
Well, I hoped you’ve enjoyed this tour of the yard. I’m sure as we get some work done and Lisa returns with the real camera (these are all from the camcorder), she’ll be sharing our progress. Until next time…
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Posted by Steve on September 24th, 2005 — Posted in Your Guest Host Steve
FYI, Chile con Lisa is currently being upgraded. Things may be a bit wacky while the upgrade process is going on. Let me know if you notice anything.
UPDATE[03:05PM]: The update appears to have gone smoothly. Let me know if you notice anything (you shouldn’t).
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