Trip Home

The 21st and 22nd are devoted to getting home. We arranged for a late check-out from the hotel yesterday (2:00) and then drove to Mauricio's parents' house where Isabel treated us to another nice lunch, topped off with Pan Pasqua (Christmas bread) - - not unlike fruitcake, but a little lighter and very tasty. We all napped a bit and then Isabel showed off her knitting skills to the ladies. Simply amazing. She took Martha under her wing and showed her how she made the lacy pattern that we all liked the best. Tia Peddie was even the lucky recipient of one of Isabel's sweaters. Jay and I continued to sleep.

Mauricio stopped over after work just in time to say good-by. He told us to allow one hour for returning the car and THREE hours for an international flight, so we left for the airport at 5:30 to beat the rush hour. It didn't work but we got there in reasonable time. We arrived right after a couple of bus loads of cruise ship passengers arrived for a flight home. There was a long line going through check-in and security. Again, it was slow but all went well.

The plane took off from Santiago at 10:20 pm and the flight was OK. We arrived on time at 4:45 am ...American was not as good as LAN was on the way south. It was the same plane, a 767, but what a difference in amenities and service!

Two funny Spanish incidents at Mauricio's parents' home. First, Isabel asked if "Se cargo las pillas"? She was asking if Mom had her batteries recharged by her return to Concepcion. Then Mauricio left work early to say good-by. While chatting with Jay and me he received a call from a friend. I heard him refer to "mi viejo de gringolandia". We had learned that the Chilenos routinely speak of the Viejo (the old man) or the Vieja (the old lady). Gringolandia referred to the USA. So Viejo de Gringolandia was his father from exchange student days...me.

We are still sitting in MIA waiting for our 12:05 flight to Baltimore. Am looking forward to getting home and warming up. They are not wasting any energy heating this place.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

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

Tia Peddie sporting her new sweater knit by Isabel.

Having breakfast in Miami International Airport (at a Cuban restaurant!) after an all night flight. It is cold here and we are not home yet!

Sunday in Santiago, 12-20

     Sunday - - - a day of rest.  We relaxed this morning and regrouped, had a nice breakfast here at the hotel and then back to the rooms to rest.  Mauricio met us here at 12:30 to lead us to a place he had picked out for lunch.  Carolina, Catalina and Tomas were attending a performance of "The Nutcracker", so they met us at the restaurant.  We also had called and invited Carolina Pizarro (daughter of Beverly and Antonio) to join us because she lives a block from our hotel.  

     Mauricio led us to the Mapocho River where there is a park (called Rio Borde) along the edge of the river where there are bike and jogging paths and a complex with at least a dozen restaurants.  We walked around to enjoy the views and marveled at how many different ethnicities were represented by the different restaurants.  We had a reservation at Ibis, famous for seafood, and it lived up to its reputation.  Mauricio ordered several seafood appetizers to be shared, including a very good seviche of a variety of seafoods.  Do  you get the idea that we have eaten well the whole time?  How true.

    After lunch Carolina Pizzaro led us to our afternoon's delight.  A "mall" of sorts, but certainly not in the familiar tradition of a mall.  Over 50 small shops, each one representing a different artisan or artist.  The variety of things was endless and we barely had time to scratch the surface.  Prices were higher than we had seen elsewhere, but the quality was a little better also.

    Back at the Holiday Inn we separated for nap time and reconvened for wine around 7 pm.  Finally at 8:30 we decided to head out for a light salad or something and found Tip y Tap, a bistro style restaurant just a few blocks from here.  Great salads, eaten outdoors under trees,  the stars, and a new moon.  A great end to a great day and a great trip!  Tomorrow we pack up, check out and head to Mauricio's parent's house to have a light lunch and to relax before heading to the airport.  Our plane doesn't leave until 10:20 pm, so I may have lots of time to write a last post from the airport!  Chao.
--
~~~_/)~~~D&M

A non-sequitur. We followed this lovely Model A on our way to lunch and Jay exclaimed that it was just like the car Fluffety Grimstitch used to drive, but hers was green!

Mauricio (in the black 4 Runner in the lower right) led us to the Mapocho River (upper left) where there is an area "Rio Borde" with paths and gardens and also loads of good restaurants with all sorts of different decor and flavor. We didn't eat in the Moroccan one, but I couldn't resist getting a picture of it. We ate at Ibis - famous for it's fish dishes. No matter where you drive in Santiago, the Andes and the coastal range are always in evidence.

Jay and Pegg found a bonsai garden and museum at the Centro Artesanos Los Dominicos, while Martha concentrated on the shops. Dan and Grandma found a nice bench in the shade while the rest of us explored.