Weeds, and they're from North America!

These are California Poppies, and they are everywhere along the highway. Their color is almost florescent, and they make a beautiful drive even better.

Just pretty scenes on the way back home

Richard the carnivore!

This was a restaurant in Pomaire that Richard likes. They bring this fillet to you on a little cooker thing, sizzling, and it smells delish. I had an avocado and tomato salad and an empanada, but nobody wants to see a picture of that!

The mighty carnivore spies his dinner and is ready to pounce......

Look how he's staring at that hunk of meat! He ate it all.

Pomaire pigs for adoption- 28 now- many more later...

On our way back we went to Pomaire, the little town mentioned in previous blogs for their pottery (mostly for cooking, but some decorations and planters, too). I bought 28 pigs to be sold to benefit the Galveston Humane Society. Pigs will be up for adoption when either I get back or Margie gets back in November, if we can figure out a way for them to ship without breaking. Pigs can be bought, and then we hope you will all save your change and put the change in the pig and give it back to either Margie or take it to Galveston yourselves to benefit cats and dogs (mostly cats, of course!). If any of you want a pig and cannot bear the thought of it being smashed for the money inside (they ARE cute!) we ask that you donate $50.00 so you can keep your pig and help out. All money is tax deductible, of course, and you will receive a receipt. We are taking reservations. Each pig will be named, comes with FEEDING instructions (they like mostly quarters) and will be adorned with a little scarf. These are authentic Chilean pottery hand made and fired pigs, and are really a wonderful gift.

Let me or Margie know if anyone wants one, and I will send you a picture of your pig with a little biography of that pig. They tell me their story, you know, so I can tell all of you!

Museo do Colchagua- no pictures allowed!

This is a HUGE private museum, mostly funded by Carlos Cardoen, the arms dealer. I am going to let all of you look this guy up on your own, because his story is told in so many websites, and each has a different spin on the facts. Let's just say that this dude has some CASH and a definite thing for collecting! He is very infamous for his arms dealing to Iraq. I am making this statement only- I do not know the whole story, but you can look it up, as I said, for yourselves.

For the record- I pretty much hate museums. Ask Tina, my daughter. The poor thing tries her best to educate me with trips to these opportunities for higher learning and awareness, but to no avail. But I loved this museum. I have never seen so much (insert expletive) in my life, and it was everything, not just paintings or sculpture or whatever. This is the most amazing array of really priceless STUFF I have ever seen. I was just speechless, which pretty much never happens to me unless I've had a root canal or am dead asleep.
http://www.museocolchagua.cl/

Gotta see this place if you come.

Next to this museum is his hotel, casino, spa and restaurant complex. I can only say complex because it is massive. We tried to stay at the hotel, but we just couldn't, in our mind, justify the $270.00 American dollars they wanted a night, on top of the pricey dinner and the casino money they would have scammed off of us, because I am a loser and Richard just wasn't "feeling it". He's the lucky one in this family, and I don't mean because he found me- he always wins a bit at a casino.

Please, if you have the time, go to the site for the museum and the Santa Cruz Hotel. Now that we are back, the listing rate for the hotel is lower online, but still very expensive. They tried to scam us, came down from the first price to $171.00, (for some reason, the one dollar) but we still said no. We stayed at a comfortable hostel, D'VD Hostel, and it had a great bed and a much lower price. Heck, I just wanted a bed at the arms dealers hotel, I didn't want to buy another piece of ancient artifact for the guy!

Posible photo?

These guys were trotting their horses down the middle of the road, so we took their picture. And before you all go and write about that word in the title being misspelled, it is Spanish for possible, and I don't have an upside down question mark on my keyboard to indicate I am writing a question.

Pronunciation

po (said with long o) see (accent here) blay

What the heck is the name of this bird?

Identify this bird we saw-

The winner gets a all-expense paid trip to our house in Richmond to make sure the sprinkling system is still doing its thing! WHAT A CONTEST!

ONWARD- to the next excuse to drink!

I'm driving, of course, because Richard has had a few "samples", and we're off to our next winery. It's Laura Hartwig, which is a very small winery. The guide only spoke Spanish, so the tour was very interesting, to say the least! I understood about every 10th word, and Richard was VERY IMPRESSIVE with about an eighty five percent comprehension, so, we laughed and he drank a few, and we purchased. The photos are of the tasting room, the cactus in front and the vineyard. You can see that Richard and I are "doin' the Vanna! " I had Richard take a picture of ME so you guys would know that I was actually ON this vacation! NO PICTURES OF GAYLE BECAUSE SHE THE PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS OF THIS BLOG!

http://www.laurahartwig.cl/

PS- Good ole Laura is in her mid 80's, I believe, so I guess wine is great for the health!

HAPPY Anniversary to US!

This is the weekend before our 4th anniversary. Now, before all of you people that have been married forever say, "So what?", just know that any excuse to travel and have a great time is good for us, so this weekend was the anniversary celebration excursion!

We traveled the Ruta Vino, or Wine Route, and had a BALL! From Santiago we went south, and then west a bit towards Santa Cruz. First we hit Casa Silva, with their AWARD WINNING wines. Richard said he thought they were wonderful, or wunnerfullll, as he slurred as the third glass went down smoothly. He tried a Sauvignon Blanc, a Cab,and a Carmenere, noted for you wine snobs. For me and the rest- a white and two red colored foul smelling glasses of stuff. This winery is so beautiful and has a boutique hotel, polo field and gorgeous views. We ate at their fab restaurant, and Richard felt compelled to try the Shiraz, which he quickly gave his Best In Show ribbon, and we purchased. We also bought a bottle of the ALTURA, which is their top of the line, oh my gosh, gotta have stuff, so we're cherishing that. It's a red, and is only made in years when the grapes SPEAK to the little ole winemaker and say, "I'm fabulous- let's make some EXPENSIVE WINE!"

Below is the website, and you'll really love the photos. If you ever want to be pampered, this is the spot. Photos show the winery, hotel and vineyards. The Altura comes in in a wooden stamped box, with the bottle wrapped ever-so-carefully in stamped tissue and lovingly placed in the box.

The hotel only has seven rooms, and each is just wonderful. I am showing a picture of the floor, as it is made with recycled barrel wood, and it is magnificent!!!!!! The grounds and garden were all pristine and serene. Please look at the website for much better photos. (not of Richard, of course!) HEE HEE

http://www.casasilva.cl/

Carreras de Perros

The rodeo had a segment that was an exhibit of dog races with galgos, or South American greyhounds. They look just like greyhounds we have, but they are called galgos.

These photos are BAD, but it was now dark, so if you guys don't like them, feel free to buy me another camera.

The big blonde guy wanted to win his race, but he was just too slow, but the others were extremely fast. The farmers use these dogs as sport between themselves, or as hunters. They all seemed to be well taken care of, and the owners were petting them. But a typical Chilean dog doesn't have much status in a household, so they are just as good and cared for as their finish in the last race. Sad, but true. There are literally THOUSANDS of stray dogs on the streets, so these, even if they were workers, we a few of the lucky ones.

Huasos

Here's an up close photo of the huasos and their wonderful mounts. The side stepping of these animals to control the cow is amazing. I tried to get Richard to buy one of the ponchos, one of the hats and some of the HUGE spurs, but he decided against them UNTIL WE GOT HOME, and then he said "I should have bought that poncho." DUH! He would have been RICO SUAVE in that outfit! I would have been married to RICO!!!!! How much better can life get....

The Chilean Air Force

Here are a few of Chile's finest (and obviously YOUNGEST!), in front of some vintage planes.

BEEF- It's what's for dinner!

Here's a photo of what everyone ate. We also had sausage, but who wants to see a photo of SAUSAGE!!!!

Let's RODEO!

I am waaayyy behind on my blog, but here is what happened on dieciocho, the Bicentenial Independence Day Celebration. This info is going to be separated into numerous blogs because I know my family has a very short attention span, and I don't want to bore the rest of you!


The cowboys, or huasos, are skilled horsemen that wear the most beautiful ponchos, hats and spurs. Their saddles also use the wooden stirrups that are so gorgeous. Richard, Tina and Chris bought a pair of those stirrups that, kindly, remain here with us, and are so intricate and lovely that it is hard to imagine the work for which they were made! Here is a website about the rodeo, and we will try to post a video (good luck to us, as we don't seem to "get" how to do it).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_rodeo

NOW- the POOR COW! The two cowboys, who are dressed alike in the colorful ponchos, ride these incredible horses on either side of the poor cow around the perimeter of the arena. The cowboys then guide the outside horse to pin the cow and make it go down against the side of the arena. We never did get scoring process, but we just cheered when everyone else did, and shouted out an OOOHHHH! when others did as well. We all acted like real Chileanos, but they all knew better. The blonde people were sitting there getting surburned. Just pick out the pink people. They don't belong. As they used to sing on Sesame Street- "One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just doesn't belong....."

Carabineros

Here's one of the local police guys. They are all young, and some are very nice. Usually they will not allow their picture to be made, but all were very kind at the park party yesterday. We are blocking the fine old police car, but it was very cool, and in mint condition. This young man seemed very pleased that the gringas wanted his picture. Bet he didn't know it would go on this site!

These are two of my friends, Rachel, from California, and Joanne, who used to be Canadian and jumped ship and has now become a real US citizen! Ah, another Canadian coming over from DARK SIDE!!!!! HEE HEE

Drink, and Vive Chile!

Yesterday was a full-fledged party time here, as Chile is celebrating it's Bicentennial. Richard and I went to a fonda, or fiesta, or party, at one of the parks, and it was great fun. I am not sure how much fun we would have had had we not had a "Terremoto". This is some kind of Gosh Awful drink made with Pipeno, a sweet fermented wine, and then pineapple ice cream on the top. Sounds delish- right? Heck, I don't know who fermented that Pipeno stuff, but I think they must have poured some nail polish remover or turpentine in it. Says it is "young grapes", but this tasted like these young grapes had been stomped by someone with dirty toes. The name of this drink is not "inspired" by the last earthquake, but refers to the way your legs shake after you drink the darned alcoholic mess! SHAKY! They served it in a plastic cup and I feared for my clothing, as I thought this junk was just going to EAT THROUGH the cup! Maybe the trick was to mix it up better than I did, but I just gave it to Richard to drink. He's like Mikey from the kids cereal commercial- he'll drink it.

"Mikey" polished it off, and then chased it with a Cristal later, which is a favorite beer. Try one, if you can get it. The beer, I mean- NOT the Terremoto!

This site has many of the drinks of Chile listed. Very interesting! Take a look and decide which you're brave enough to try.......

http://www.southamerica.cl/Chile/drinks.htm

Pomaire, otra vez

I know I've told you all about this little pottery town, but my good new friends and I went again, and I STILL have no great pictures! Oh well, I've got to go back again to get some pottery, and I'll try again. Next time I'll be more thorough with my picture taking of people and pottery. FAB pottery for cooking and planting, so I will be buying some soon to show you all. Every time I go I don't seem to be able to make up my mind as to what I want. Too much to choose from.

Lots of stalls of all sorts of things besides pots. We bought some Chilean cookies, had a lunch at a tipico restaurante Chileno and haggled for some pottery piggy banks benefiting the Helen Keller Home for Blind Children. Sandy got a great price. My friends in the photo are Australian, South African, by way of everywhere, and two good ole USA people. We had a great trip.

My new boyfriend

I was walking down the street in front of our apartment yesterday and this little fellow was with his mom. They were going to a Dieciocho Festival for children. This little guy was all decked out in his finery, as will everyone this weekend when the party starts. Note the spurs! He was really "workin' it" until I asked him if I could take his picture. Then he became so serious!

This weekend looks to be a blast! I can't wait! It will be fun and educational!

Dieciocho, or party down, dude!

This week starts the Independence Day festivities, or Dieciocho, here in Chile. These people go nuts, and this is a bicentennial year, so it will be special. I am giving you a link to a site about this, as well as showing you a picture of the bottle of Chicha we have already bought. It's a fermented grape drink, and above that, that is all I know. Richard gets off Friday and Monday, and that is because these people are on a serious party binge that will take a while to recover from. Too bad we are the only ones here! As my son would say "Sucks being all of you!" You're missing one heck of a party!

http://www.worldandi.com/subscribers/feature_detail.asp?num=25181

Look at the dress the woman dancer is wearing at the bottom of that site. Dresses of that style are being sold all over Chile, and the children wear costumes of the same look. It should be colorful. (colourful for my Canadian friends)

Richard and the fabulous tree

There are some knotty trunked trees here that would probably make beautiful wood. Here is Richard beside one.

Knife sharpener man, or how how I was duped on a Sunday

This is the knife sharpener man. If you forgot this man in my former blog, this guy walks the streets and blows this loud, shrill whistle and people come out and he sharpens their knives. Here's the story-

1. I have missed him a jillion times.

2. I wanted to show you guys his manual way of doing this.

3. My knives wouldn't cut butter, so this was getting to be a need, not a want.

He sharpened my three knives. He let me take his picture. He was smiling because the STUPID gringa was in the RAIN, didn't ask him the PRICE, and had a tiny little pink camera! He thought "SCORE! A DUMB GRINGA!"

After he ground up my knives, he charged me 8000 pesos, which is about $16.00 dollars American. I could have bought new knives for that! What I do to amuse all of you!!!!

Did you know that Fred Flintstone lived here?

There is some pretty "interesting" architecture here, and I'm posting a few of the best. Enjoy!

PS- The building with the big Chilean flag on it in the rear of the picture is Richard's building- 29th floor.

All we wanted was a t-shirt....

When Tina and Chris were here, we went to the US Embassy here in Santiago. We tried to go to the commissary to get a few souvenirs, but were DENIED! It seems the woman who worked there was in a meeting, and we would have to make an appointment. One can't just walk in, you have to check in with a passport, leave your phone and camera at the gate and then be given a number so you can be taken somewhere to get a badge. Bureaucracy at work, again.

I did take this photo in front of the Embassy of the kids beside the shield. It is a very pretty shield, and too bad we couldn't get the stuff with it embroidered on the front, because it's nice.

Mojito magic

A really cute picture of Tina and Chris with a colorful Mojito. If you don't know the Mojito, I am including a link to the recipe.

http://www.tasteofcuba.com/mojito.html