The Andes
Our trip into the Andes Mountains was memorable. Our guide was extremely animated and the boys enjoyed learning about the country.
Facts that the boys, Zane especially, found most interesting is that Chile has the driest dessert in the world, the Atacama Dessert in northern Chile. This dessert receives an average of 15 mm of rain per year. In the south, they receive 7000 mm or rain per year!
Another fact found interesting is the traditional eating habits of the Chilean people. Breakfast includes fruits, bread, meats, and cheese. Lunch is a variety of salads rice meats and tons of bread. Dinner is not something usually eaten, but late in the evening they have 'Tomar onze' which is tea and bread. Our guide explained that this was called Tomar Onze due to tea and bread being 11 letters. True or not, we are not sure!
During our two hour drive 2500 m above sea level we passed many small towns. One town included a large area of wood burning stove bread baking stores. If there is a white flag outside, this indicates the store sells bread. The white flag used to be a flour sack long ago when people did not know how to read or write. If there is a person standing outside waving the flag, it means they have a restaurant and it is open! In this same town, we passed the 'Chocolate House', a true Hansel and Gretel looking house! The boys were so excited until the guide informed them they could not actually eat the house.
As we continued our drive, we drove over and beside many small rivers. These artificial channels were created from rivers to direct water to areas that need it, including into the city of Santiago.
The two rivers pictured here are the Yeso River and the Maipo River. The Colorado River, Yeso River and El Volcan river, coming from the glacier region of the Andes, combine to form the Maipo River which is the main river in Santiago and feeds into the ocean.
Beside this rivers and channels live farmers. These farmers have owned land for many years and have a lot of it. To supplement income, they grow specific grapes for specific vineyards.
One of the most famous vineyards in the area is 'Castelo de Diablo' or Devil's Castle. The story of how the vineyard came to this name is interesting one. The owner of the vineyard, many years ago, found out that some of his best wines were being stolen. He assumed it was by some of his employees and created a story to scare people. His story was that one of the cellars was haunted by the devil. The owner spent many nights dressing up, staying up all night and tricking people until everyone believed. After this happened, he decided to rename the winery.
As we approached our destination, the sky became clearer, the air became colder and the snow became more prominent.
We approached the lake, Cajon Del Maipo, and our breath was taken away. Depending on which way the sun was hitting the lake, it would look a vibrant blue or an emerald green. The pictures do not do the area justice. It is one of those places that makes you rethink your purpose on Earth.
As you can tell, the temperature was much cooler and our jackets went on. The wind was whipping through the area so our hoods went up as well!
We took time to enjoy the area, explore the unique gypsum rocks, watching the local birds and even seeing the national bird flying high above the mountains, the Condor!
Both boys expressed their wonder and awe at the area, the size of the mountains, the beauty of the lake. They said, besides the Iguazu Falls, this is the most beautiful place we have been!
On the way back down, we stopped at a local restaurant for fresh empanadas and a picnic. The tour company did a great job of setting everything up for a wine tasting and picnic. The boys enjoyed some fresh juice instead of wine.
The restaurant, like most in South America, was located on a farm. The boys enjoyed playing with the dogs and cats, seeing the donkeys and horses, and looking at the mountains.
Our last night ended with a BEAUTIFUL sunset over the mountains and a happy little boy watching it happen!
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