Travels....

For the last two weeks or so I have been traveling around in the southern part of Chile. We had our closing ceremony for the program on November 28th. It was great to see the volunteers at the end and all hang out for a few days rehashing stories and going out. One night out was really cool since we went to this "after office party" that was in huge disco on the Santa Lucia hill. This place is a famous tourist attraction and this bar only opens up at night. Gates close it off during the day. We were with another volunteer and her Chilean boyfriend, along with a large group of people, so we got in easily and even went to VIP. It was a fun night. I stayed in Santiago for several days, and left Sunday night with my friend Laura (a volunteer in La Serena) and we took an overnight bus to Puerto Varas.
I enjoyed the small town there. Very quaint, and a bit more upscale than other places I have seen. We ate at some great restaurants and found the best pisco sours we have ever tasted in Chile. I even loved a beer for once that we tried at a restaurant! They make a few of their own. We just explored around there and then headed on a bus to Ancud, Chilóe!
In Ancud we stayed at a wonderful hostal with a beach view. The town doesnt really offer much, but I loved the surroundings. We went on a great day tour, walked along the beach, and went in a boat to see the Humbolt and Magellan penguins! They are so cute!
We made the next part of our journey to see the next big town in Chilóe, Castro. There we saw the famous "palafitos" houses that are distinctive colors and built on stilts in the water. We stayed in one that was renovated as a hostal. Nice town with more things to do. We went to a restaurant one night where Karaoke was going on. We actually ended up singing "Wonderwall" from where we were sitting. Haha
We tried to go the next day to a small island off of Chilóe, but didnt plan our time well so we only made it to Dalcahue to browse around for a few hours before heading back to Castro to grab our bags and get a bus back to Puerto Varas to meet another volunteer, Andrew.
We got in late to Puerto Varas, but the next day we went on a hike near the Volcano Osorno for a few hours. But we missed the final bus back to town by 2 hours! because someone...Andrew...thought it left later. Luckily there was a large tour bus in the parking lot. Andrew asked for a ride back and they graciously agreed and would not charge us anything. The only thing was it was a school trip with only 16 year old high school BOYS. So of course with Laura and I with the blonde hair (and the fact her running shorts looked like booty shorts) we got a lot of attention. One boy came up and took a picture, many times we could overhear them talking, not really understanding, but not sure we really wanted to! Then when we got off the bus, they applauded! So funny!
The next day we took a bus to Osorno and then on a local bus out to the campo to a milk farm of Laura´s boyfriend´s roommate´s family. Get all that? Anyway, we spent a few days there at this gorgeous farm with a great family. We got to see the Lecheria, milk a cow, help make cheese, and went on a day trip to Valdivia. There I got to see the huge sea lions sitting on the decks! I was so excited.
Andrew and I continued alone up to Pucón where what we planned on just being a few days has turned into 5. Its such a cute place. Resembles Puerto Varas, but we like it more. Feels more comfortable here with some great people. We went on a beautiful hike about an hour away, I went to do canopy, rented bikes, went to the thermas. Ive really enjoyed it here. I even saw my first shooting star!

We are taking a night bus back to Santiago tonight. Ill be there for 2 days then on a jet plane home!