Election Day! Sunday, Dec. 13

Beverly had to leave early to go to the Red Cross where she volunteers. The Red Cross had to supply medical assistance at all 25 polling places in Concepcion. The day started with a great commotion when a voter collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately he didn't survive. Things calmed down after that, but she was gone until 5 PM. Patrick and Rose had organized a trip around the area to visit places that the Bliss crew would remember, so we loaded the van and headed to San Pedro to see the Laguna Grande. We are told that it is always windy in San Pedro and today was no exception. The wind was really quite strong and chilly. We did get to watch a Snipe sailing on the lake before heading back across the BioBio to visit the steel mill where Grandpa John had worked. Tia Peddie didn't recognize the new entrance, but as we toured the plant she recognized some of the older buildings.

We had hoped to have lunch in Lenga, but found that all the restaurants were closed due to the election, so we headed back to Patrick and Roses and had another 3 pm lunch, it seems common especially with the days being so long. After lunch and some of Jackie's cake, Dan and Martha dropped Barb off to finish packing and came up the hill to Beverly and Antonio's to wait for news about the election. Antonio took Barb and Carolina (their daughter) to catch the same plane to Santiago.

The polls closed at 5 pm and results began pouring in by 7! Pinera seems to have a good lead, but probably not a majority, so there will probably be a run-off between the top two in February. Turn out is high, because if you don't vote, you get a fine!! All ballots are paper and all the counting of ballots is public. You also get your thumb printed to prevent fraud. Sounds like a good system! Manana, D,M,J,P & Tia P

~~~_/)~~~D&M

We started our day's adventure with a visit to Laguna San Pedro Grande where the Bliss and Clemo families had many picnics. The lake is the same, but the area around it has grown up a lot.

Next stop CAP (Compania Acero Pacifico) where Grandpa John Bliss worked for 7 years. We made Tia Peddie pose in front of the sign while Patrick's daughter, Pauline went in to see if she could arrange a tour. She was successful, so we picked up a guide and were allowed in, but we were told NO PHOTOS and no one could get out of the car. We drove around the whole plant and were glad to see how much recycling they were doing of scrap metal. The CAP plant is in Huachipato, between Concepcion and Talcahuano.

Next we headed for Lenga, the beach area on San Vicente Bay, where we hoped to get lunch and sample one of Christopher's D'FRUT smoothies. We found all the restaurants closed due to the national election today and Christopher had just arrived and was not set up yet. Time to head home for lunch.

Just when you think things really aren't that different here, you drive past a caballero heading down the road.

Lunch was topped off with the choice of one of Jackie's cakes. YUMMY!