Chao Chile, Hola Argentina

After returning from camp in Vallenar, it finally hit home that we only had a week left in our respective cities so we made the most of it. It was hard to say goodbye to all the wonderful people that we had met, but we spent quality time with families and students. Countless farewell parties resulted in some amazing memories, and more trinkets than we know what to do with. Our final weekend we decided to brave the Pacific, jump in some wetsuits, and try our luck with surfing. It was incredibly fun, shockingly cold, and moderately successful. Kelsey´s family also gave us a typical Chilean cooking lesson including Empanadas, Pastel de Papas, Pastel de Choclo, and the famous Chilean Pan. The week passed faster than expected, and the bus to Santiago promised exciting future adventures.

First plan of action was to get in touch with Liza´s connection in Santiago to weigh the possibility of a trip to the mountains. Ana Maria and her amazing family instantly invited us into their home for gourmet fish and the best wine we have ever tasted. Following dinner we got a tour of Santiago by night, showing us the ´Bridle Path´of the city. It was a shock to witness a Santiago wealth bubble at its finest. The artisanal markets, the maid services, and incredible hospitality made the nights back at Hostelling International a little less desirable.

Thursday brought a Chilean dream come true as Ana Maria drove us to her ski chalet in Valle Nevado. Ascending 3000m on a switchback road with incredible views could have been sufficient, but the best was yet to come. As it is the largest ski resort in South America, we were surprised to find only one hotel, our apartment building, and no trees. With clear blue skies and perfect snow conditions, our rain suit apparel was all we needed. There were few to no lines, and the powder was easily accessible. The highest and best run on the mountain was worth the difficulty of seven minutes on the T-bar to get there. The snowboarding was the perfect way to end our three month stay in such a beautiful and diverse country.

¨[Chile] is composed of a string of valleys lying between mountains and volcanoes and crossed by plentiful rivers. Its coast is abrupt with fiersome waves and frigid waters. Its forests are dense and aeromatic, its hills unending.¨

-Isabel Allende (Inés of my Soul)

After a beautiful journey over the Andes, we arrived in Mendoza only to be swept off the bus and into a van being shuttled to a family run hostel. With free flowing Malbec wine and a portly jolly man, we had ourselves a triple room decked out in blue. Although we appreciated Chilean food, nothing can beat the ´Tenedor Libre´(all you can eat) Argentinean buffet we experienced that night. With adventurous spirits running high, we felt the need to get a better view of the andes. What better way to see the Andes than to drive up them in a 1942 truck used in the Vietnam War. Following the drive, the view only increased in beauty as we ran off the cliff in our first paragliding experience. Once in the air we found it unusually comfortable, which allowed for screams of joy, flailing lets, and a stunning 360 view. As Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina, we felt it necessary to hone our connoisseur skills and head to the winery district, Maipu(yes, pronounced ´my-poo´). We know you´re smiling... The Malbec wine tour was fascinating but did not compare to the chocolate, dulce liquor, and artisanal jams down the road. With our pallets satisfied, we headed back to ensure our spots on the next overnight bus to Buenos Aires.

We have just arrived with excess baggage into this monstrosity of a city but are ecstatic to experience the things that this metropolis will bring.

Frances, Louise, and Suzanne