Toddler, Trips, & Track
7 years ago
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Happenings...
Well, I'm feeling more comfortable here at home and in the city so Rachel (the other girl) and I have finally started taking mini adventures since we haven't had a lot to do otherwise. It's been fun to walk around downtown and see all the people and shops. We walked through a couple cool markets with different hand made crafts (artesanías) and of course walked through the fish market. I need to take a picture because I haven't ever see anything like it in Michigan! There are ALL types of fish that you could imagine. There are sea lions here too that just lay by the river all day waiting for scraps from the vendors. We also have been sure to try all the different varieties of ice cream!
On Thursday we took a trip to Niebla, the local beach. Of course we picked the one cloudy day all week but it was still fun to see the ocean and black sand. We had lots of fun trying to figure out how to get everywhere (including finding the right bus stop!) and ended up walking a lot but got to then enjoy all the sights that pass by too fast when you are on a bus. We also ate at a cute restaurant, Entrecostas. We were both pretty adventurous even! Rachel ordered some empanadas with mariscos (shell fish) and I got an array of sea food - including shrimp, mariscos, crab, octopus, and a few other things I couldn't identify - and I tried them all! It came with a dip of onions and cilantro that was really good.
We also walked all over town yesterday in order to start the matriculation process at the university. First we had to register with the police, which wouldn't have taken too long except the police couldn't count... (they had to figure out how long our visa was good for and had a lot of problems counting 200 days), and then go to another office to get our carnet de identidad, which you need for everything. Needless to say, we pretty much know our way around the city now!
In terms of other new foods I've tried, last night we went to some friends' house for dinner where I tried crudo for the first time. It's a pretty traditional Chilean meal and consists of white bread, raw meat finely ground with salt and oil mixed in (crudo), onions, a mayonesa type sauce, pepper, and lemon juice. It was different but not bad. Maybe I'll come to like it more as I'm here. I've also had some really good soup with mariscos, and finally empanadas today! They also have a sauce here called aji (a-he), which is similar to a spicy salsa and is put on just about everything (just like avocados!).
I've also started running, and am hoping to train for the Chicago marathon again. It's a fun way to see the city, and dinner here is very conducive to running because I can run at 7 and not be hungry (because lunch was at 3) and not trying to let my food digest. Plus then it's still light out but not very hot! And the best part is that I don't think my family thinks I'm crazy yet for wanting to run. :)
This is getting long, but I wanted to add one last thought. It's been cool to be here in the aftermath of the earthquake and see the solidarity of Chile as a nation. They are currently in the process of a teletón, and EVERYONE is involved, from the cities in the very north to the cities in the very south. Here in Valdivia, there's a huge concert going on in the Plaza and my brother is actually helping volunteer there. And ALL of the micros (buses) and taxis have writing on the window about the teletón (Chile ayuda a Chile). I've just been very impressed with how unified the country is and how important it is to the people to help their own and bring restoration to their country. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers, both for me and for the people of Chile.
Chao. ¡Fuerza Chile!
On Thursday we took a trip to Niebla, the local beach. Of course we picked the one cloudy day all week but it was still fun to see the ocean and black sand. We had lots of fun trying to figure out how to get everywhere (including finding the right bus stop!) and ended up walking a lot but got to then enjoy all the sights that pass by too fast when you are on a bus. We also ate at a cute restaurant, Entrecostas. We were both pretty adventurous even! Rachel ordered some empanadas with mariscos (shell fish) and I got an array of sea food - including shrimp, mariscos, crab, octopus, and a few other things I couldn't identify - and I tried them all! It came with a dip of onions and cilantro that was really good.
We also walked all over town yesterday in order to start the matriculation process at the university. First we had to register with the police, which wouldn't have taken too long except the police couldn't count... (they had to figure out how long our visa was good for and had a lot of problems counting 200 days), and then go to another office to get our carnet de identidad, which you need for everything. Needless to say, we pretty much know our way around the city now!
In terms of other new foods I've tried, last night we went to some friends' house for dinner where I tried crudo for the first time. It's a pretty traditional Chilean meal and consists of white bread, raw meat finely ground with salt and oil mixed in (crudo), onions, a mayonesa type sauce, pepper, and lemon juice. It was different but not bad. Maybe I'll come to like it more as I'm here. I've also had some really good soup with mariscos, and finally empanadas today! They also have a sauce here called aji (a-he), which is similar to a spicy salsa and is put on just about everything (just like avocados!).
I've also started running, and am hoping to train for the Chicago marathon again. It's a fun way to see the city, and dinner here is very conducive to running because I can run at 7 and not be hungry (because lunch was at 3) and not trying to let my food digest. Plus then it's still light out but not very hot! And the best part is that I don't think my family thinks I'm crazy yet for wanting to run. :)
This is getting long, but I wanted to add one last thought. It's been cool to be here in the aftermath of the earthquake and see the solidarity of Chile as a nation. They are currently in the process of a teletón, and EVERYONE is involved, from the cities in the very north to the cities in the very south. Here in Valdivia, there's a huge concert going on in the Plaza and my brother is actually helping volunteer there. And ALL of the micros (buses) and taxis have writing on the window about the teletón (Chile ayuda a Chile). I've just been very impressed with how unified the country is and how important it is to the people to help their own and bring restoration to their country. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers, both for me and for the people of Chile.
Chao. ¡Fuerza Chile!
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