Chile where to begin other than the fact that we keep being told what we are experiencing is NOT the real Santiago. A little confusing if you ask me. For as my little sister says, “it never rains in Santiago,” yet everyday we have been here it has been raining or looks like it is going to rain. No bars were open Monday night which is very uncommon our native friend said. Also the power went out at the place we are staying, again another rare occurrence. So either these are huge coincidences or Mikaela and I are very very unlucky. I will lean towards coincidences if you ask me. Speaking of never raining in Santiago we/I have come up with some random sayings to remember the trip by:
It NEVER rains in Santiago!
No habla English equipo tambien (s/he doesn't speak english team also, sarah's game she would play around campus by randomly listing all the spanish phrases she knew)
You won’t really understand these unless you really know us Bizer sisters. Which I might add is quite an honor for those of you that do, haha! Being also really helps a girl’s self-esteem if you ask me. I have never been cat called, whistled at or literally STARED DOWN by so many guys in two days. Even though I know it is just because we are gringas, I can’t help but want to start to cat walk when I hear the whistles. I am having the time of my life and am so excited all three sisters could share this time together.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sister Shoutout
This is what Sarah wrote while in the cafe on campus tuesday the 20th about the first three days in Santiago:
Quick bullets from 2 weeks ago
I meant to turn this into an actual post but I ran out of time so I'll share with you the bullets I laid out to outline my montanismo expedition Mother's day weekend:
Monday May 12, 2008
Montanismo expedition Friday through Sunday: Hiking to the base of the mountain at night, sleeping and then hiking up the mountain and back down in a day, spending the night then hiking back to the bus in the morning.
Equipo elefante: This was the name our group gave ourselves, based on my random elephant trumpets throughout the day. Our group of girls represented Austria, New Zealand, Australia, and the US
Kat overcoming her fear: Kat has vertigo, Kat came with us to climb the mountain, at lunch Kat wanted to turn back, Kat made it to the top, Kat had some issues with the descent but made it all the way and we are so proud of her
Singing rap on the way up, lion king at the top: To entertain ourselves (and others) we sang rap songs on the climb up, and I performed the "circle of life" for everyone at the top of the mountain... repeatedly... with whatever prop I could find to represent Simba
Barbeque, making pasta dinner while camping: the whole group got together for an "asada" or barbeque but since we ended up getting back WAY later than anticipated and had a vegetarian in our group we made pasta, but it took FOREVER
COLD ATTACK!: Basically it was late fall, in the wilderness, at night, with nothing to break the wind, also I woke people the next morning by pretending to be a bear and attack their tent "ataque de ossa!"
Monday May 12, 2008
Montanismo expedition Friday through Sunday: Hiking to the base of the mountain at night, sleeping and then hiking up the mountain and back down in a day, spending the night then hiking back to the bus in the morning.
Equipo elefante: This was the name our group gave ourselves, based on my random elephant trumpets throughout the day. Our group of girls represented Austria, New Zealand, Australia, and the US
Kat overcoming her fear: Kat has vertigo, Kat came with us to climb the mountain, at lunch Kat wanted to turn back, Kat made it to the top, Kat had some issues with the descent but made it all the way and we are so proud of her
Singing rap on the way up, lion king at the top: To entertain ourselves (and others) we sang rap songs on the climb up, and I performed the "circle of life" for everyone at the top of the mountain... repeatedly... with whatever prop I could find to represent Simba
Barbeque, making pasta dinner while camping: the whole group got together for an "asada" or barbeque but since we ended up getting back WAY later than anticipated and had a vegetarian in our group we made pasta, but it took FOREVER
COLD ATTACK!: Basically it was late fall, in the wilderness, at night, with nothing to break the wind, also I woke people the next morning by pretending to be a bear and attack their tent "ataque de ossa!"
Climbing on a playground afterwards in all our montanismo gear: the group of us taking the metro to el Centro and then walking back to various houses stopped in Parque Bustamante to climb the jungle gym with our backpacks still on and ice-picks and everything
Talking with the fam sunday, Gpa Jim and Gma Karen: Once I got back to the house, cleaned up and went to the internet cafe I was able to skype with my family and grandpa Jim and Grandma Karen who were visiting.
Talking with the fam sunday, Gpa Jim and Gma Karen: Once I got back to the house, cleaned up and went to the internet cafe I was able to skype with my family and grandpa Jim and Grandma Karen who were visiting.
I have virtually no pictures of this trip because on the first day I went ot take a picture, tripped, put my hands behind me to catch my fall...and broke my camera. It got fixed a month later but all you have for proof is my word, unfortunately no photos to accompany it.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Extreme Sports = Extreme Fun in Pucón
First off, you can check out the pictures from this weekend and all my photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/jbizer3
This past weekend I planned on keeping busy so I wouldn't just be thinking about how my parents had just left to go back home so when an opportunity to travel to Pucon came up with two of my friends from Australia, Laura and Rowena I was excited to go.
We took an overnight bus, a ten-hour ride, down to Pucón on Thursday night since it was a national holiday and none of us had classes on Friday. Also by taking the overnight bus we saved money by not having to pay for a hostel that night. We arrived friday morning at about 9ish and made our way to Hospedaje Lucia where we were greeted by a very friendly Lucia and then walked a tour of the city and picnic lunched at the shores of Lake Villarica. With the view of a snowcapped Volcán (volcano) Villarica in the distance it seemed like something out of a Disney movie, however climbing that volcano was anything but a ride at Disneyland...
We booked a package deal and saved money through the company Sierra Nevada for climbing the volcano on Saturday, the termas (hot springs) Saturday night, and white-water rafting the Rio Trancura Sunday afternoon.
Thursday Night concluded with possibly the best falafel Chile has to offer in one of the few Middle Eastern themed restaurants in the country who serve actual Middle Eastern dishes. As we returned to the hospedaje to get ready for bed in order to prepare to the 6:00am morning, what is on the news but a volcanic explosion…
Down in Chaitén, further south from where Mom, Dad and I traveled, a volcano erupted, however as of that time there were no fatalities but nevertheless, it’s not the news you want to see when your planning on getting closer to and climbing up a volcanic summit the next day.
Saturday started bright and early as we made our way to the shop to get our gear on and head to the volcano. The group was made up of the three of us, a guy from Australia, a couple from Ireland, and two guides. We drove near the base then started the long trek up the volcano through rock and snow. We got to wear crampons to walk better in the snow on the way up and after about 4 hours of walking filled out with 5 breaks or so we made it to the top. There wasn’t any boiling lava to see but there was plenty of sulfuric gas to breathe as we hiked around the volcanic crater. On the way down, in the snow-covered areas we strapped on a protective diaper of sorts then got to slide on our bums down the mountain; I learned quickly how to go fast but wasn’t quite as talented at the whole stopping thing, haha.
Our group half jokingly decided that if a movie were to be made about the hike up the volcano it would be called Volcan Villarica: Remember the Pain.
That night we made a delicious pasta dinner then headed out to the thermal springs to let our muscles relax before we used them again in the white water rafting the next day. At the thermal springs we met another group of intercambios some from Católica, others from La Chile (Universidad de Chile). We had a good time relaxing in the hot springs and some of us even braved the 300meter dash from the firs to the last hot spring in the complex.
The next day we were able to sleep in since no one was coming to check into our room that day, we were able to have a easy brunch and leisurely get our stuff together for the white-water rafting. At 2 we made our way over to the office and met up with the group, our guide, the van driver, a videographer, a photographer, a kayaker, and the office worker who was taking a day in the river. With only 5 ladies in the raft (all Australian but for me) we had more helpers than customers so it felt pretty safe. It was the first time I had done rafting in a wetsuit; they gave us all the gear, shoes, suit, shorts, jacket, gloves, helmets, and of course paddles (we wore our own swimsuits underneath it all, gotta be hygienic). After going through the instructions we set out for our first rapid.
What made this trip more interesting was that the rapids were actually more like waterfalls than rolling rapids, which is what I am more used to. Also the water level was slightly lower so that could account for that. There was one class 6 rapid we had to hike around but once past it we got to jump in from about 5 meters up. It was fun, but COLD. I had kinda guessed we would jump since they told us they had a “surprise” after the rapid but Laura and Row were definitely surprised. Row said it was the highest she’s ever jumped from.
After the rafting we celebratedwith some small cookies and a little pisco sour. I think the plan was to get us a little tipsey so we would buy the video and pictures of the trip. We ended up coordinating with the other Australians in the group and all went in to share the pictures. Once I have them I will post them on my picture albums, I’m sure there are some great shots in there!
All in all it was an amazing trip and I’m so glad I got to do it. WE were really lucky in terms of weather since on Sunday climbing the volcano couldn’t have happened cause of the clouds and literally as we stepped in the van after rafting it started to rain. Considering we went in the off-season and it was supposed to be raining the whole time we definitely lucked out.
This week I have to get back to classes and after the past 2 weeks filled with parents, traveling, and adventure, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pay attention in a classroom.
However I have a new mission now, planning K and Rah’s visit!!!!! T-minus less than 2 weeks!!!
This past weekend I planned on keeping busy so I wouldn't just be thinking about how my parents had just left to go back home so when an opportunity to travel to Pucon came up with two of my friends from Australia, Laura and Rowena I was excited to go.
We took an overnight bus, a ten-hour ride, down to Pucón on Thursday night since it was a national holiday and none of us had classes on Friday. Also by taking the overnight bus we saved money by not having to pay for a hostel that night. We arrived friday morning at about 9ish and made our way to Hospedaje Lucia where we were greeted by a very friendly Lucia and then walked a tour of the city and picnic lunched at the shores of Lake Villarica. With the view of a snowcapped Volcán (volcano) Villarica in the distance it seemed like something out of a Disney movie, however climbing that volcano was anything but a ride at Disneyland...
We booked a package deal and saved money through the company Sierra Nevada for climbing the volcano on Saturday, the termas (hot springs) Saturday night, and white-water rafting the Rio Trancura Sunday afternoon.
Thursday Night concluded with possibly the best falafel Chile has to offer in one of the few Middle Eastern themed restaurants in the country who serve actual Middle Eastern dishes. As we returned to the hospedaje to get ready for bed in order to prepare to the 6:00am morning, what is on the news but a volcanic explosion…
Down in Chaitén, further south from where Mom, Dad and I traveled, a volcano erupted, however as of that time there were no fatalities but nevertheless, it’s not the news you want to see when your planning on getting closer to and climbing up a volcanic summit the next day.
Saturday started bright and early as we made our way to the shop to get our gear on and head to the volcano. The group was made up of the three of us, a guy from Australia, a couple from Ireland, and two guides. We drove near the base then started the long trek up the volcano through rock and snow. We got to wear crampons to walk better in the snow on the way up and after about 4 hours of walking filled out with 5 breaks or so we made it to the top. There wasn’t any boiling lava to see but there was plenty of sulfuric gas to breathe as we hiked around the volcanic crater. On the way down, in the snow-covered areas we strapped on a protective diaper of sorts then got to slide on our bums down the mountain; I learned quickly how to go fast but wasn’t quite as talented at the whole stopping thing, haha.
Our group half jokingly decided that if a movie were to be made about the hike up the volcano it would be called Volcan Villarica: Remember the Pain.
That night we made a delicious pasta dinner then headed out to the thermal springs to let our muscles relax before we used them again in the white water rafting the next day. At the thermal springs we met another group of intercambios some from Católica, others from La Chile (Universidad de Chile). We had a good time relaxing in the hot springs and some of us even braved the 300meter dash from the firs to the last hot spring in the complex.
The next day we were able to sleep in since no one was coming to check into our room that day, we were able to have a easy brunch and leisurely get our stuff together for the white-water rafting. At 2 we made our way over to the office and met up with the group, our guide, the van driver, a videographer, a photographer, a kayaker, and the office worker who was taking a day in the river. With only 5 ladies in the raft (all Australian but for me) we had more helpers than customers so it felt pretty safe. It was the first time I had done rafting in a wetsuit; they gave us all the gear, shoes, suit, shorts, jacket, gloves, helmets, and of course paddles (we wore our own swimsuits underneath it all, gotta be hygienic). After going through the instructions we set out for our first rapid.
What made this trip more interesting was that the rapids were actually more like waterfalls than rolling rapids, which is what I am more used to. Also the water level was slightly lower so that could account for that. There was one class 6 rapid we had to hike around but once past it we got to jump in from about 5 meters up. It was fun, but COLD. I had kinda guessed we would jump since they told us they had a “surprise” after the rapid but Laura and Row were definitely surprised. Row said it was the highest she’s ever jumped from.
After the rafting we celebratedwith some small cookies and a little pisco sour. I think the plan was to get us a little tipsey so we would buy the video and pictures of the trip. We ended up coordinating with the other Australians in the group and all went in to share the pictures. Once I have them I will post them on my picture albums, I’m sure there are some great shots in there!
All in all it was an amazing trip and I’m so glad I got to do it. WE were really lucky in terms of weather since on Sunday climbing the volcano couldn’t have happened cause of the clouds and literally as we stepped in the van after rafting it started to rain. Considering we went in the off-season and it was supposed to be raining the whole time we definitely lucked out.
This week I have to get back to classes and after the past 2 weeks filled with parents, traveling, and adventure, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pay attention in a classroom.
However I have a new mission now, planning K and Rah’s visit!!!!! T-minus less than 2 weeks!!!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Pictures in Picasa Web album
To see all my awesome pics from the Vaca. with the Padres go here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jbizer3
I'll also try to post some on here as well later!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jbizer3
I'll also try to post some on here as well later!
Adventures with Mom and Dad
Well Mom and Dad made it safely back to DC. I’ll chat with them later today about their flight; it’s quite a long journey from here to DC. I know I had a wonderful time with them and if a picture is worth 1,000 words our trip needs at least 725,000 words to cover all the stuff we did. Between the 2 cameras we took over 725 pictures and there would be even more had one of the cameras not run out of battery.
I’m going to try to put a link here to the web albums I have made of the trip.
We had a great time, the first day I took them on an “easy” hike up Cerro San Cristobal. Adding up the distance to walk there, climbing and descending the hill, walking back to the house, then moving the luggage to their hotel to check in, it was over 10 miles…oops, I didn’t realize how long it actually was, I’m just so used to walking/metroing everywhere. At least I didn’t forget to give them their first Mote con huesillo as a first taste of Chile.
The next day we went to Cerro San Lucia and the artisan marketplace there, where the Chilean pesos began to come out of the wallets in earnest due to mom’s first shopping experience in Chile and luckily for rah, K and I come Christmastime, by no means was it the last. We also made it to the Plaza de Armas and the National Cathedral, Mom and Dad also got to try their first Chilean empanadas. Mom and Dad were also even more awesome and took some of my closest friends I’ve made here and me out for pizza. We went through some delicious pizza pies and a couple bottles of wine and ended up closing the place out with our fun discussions about the US, Australia, Canada, and Chile.
The next afternoon we then flew to Puerto Montt and spent the night and the next half-day there. It was neat to be right on the Pacific Ocean, and our hotel room (in a sister hotel of where mom and dad were staying in Santiago) was spacious with a wonderful view. Mom had fun shopping for Dad before we headed out by bus to Bariloche Argentina. In customs it helped to have a “B” last name, haha
In Bariloche we were able to tour the Lake Nahuel Huapi and see two nature reserve islands with spectacular views from the boat of the Andes mountains, including the highest peak in Argentina Torre-“something” (I’ll have to get out the guidebook and check) we ventured off the beaten path and had good exercise hiking so then treated ourselves to some delicious steak from the parrilla (grill) at a restaurant called el Boliche del Alberto. If you’re ever in Bariloche, go check it out, and you can also drink some Santa Julia Cabernet Sauvignon (somebody finally realized how cool I am and named a wine after me). We also had some delicious chocolate, it was so hard not to eat all of it the rest of the trip.
We bussed back to Puerto Montt, and spent a half-day there before bussing and ferrying to Chiloe the next day. First we went to Castro, the capital of the Big Island and had some amazing crab and seafood. We saw some dolphins of the ferry-rides and then in Castro visited the same Church Pope John Paul II visited in 1987. The next day we headed to Ancud with the goal of seeing the penguins, unfortunately the penguins left their colonies in late march, something no one told us until we arrived, ready for some hard-core penguin watching. We were able to take a cold but informative and pretty tour on the pacific though, seeing some otters: the gatos del mar “cats of the sea”, some flightless ducks and other birds as well as getting some spectacular views of the Island. It was truly gorgeous in Chiloe.
We headed back to Puerto Montt, flew back to Santiago then spend the next 2 days around the city. We were able to have dinner with a group that included my friend Kat and her parents who were also visiting. I had to go to class on Tuesday but Mom and Dad navigated the city without me like pros. The last night Miriam hosted us all to dinner in the house and we had the last of our wonderful dinners, sharing the whole experience of where I’m staying with them.
It was so tough to say goodbye on Wednesday but I’m so grateful for the fact I was able to see them and share the whole experience with them. I can’t wait for Sarah and Kaela to visit! I should have enough Reese’s and peanut butter to last me until them, haha!
I’m going to try to put a link here to the web albums I have made of the trip.
We had a great time, the first day I took them on an “easy” hike up Cerro San Cristobal. Adding up the distance to walk there, climbing and descending the hill, walking back to the house, then moving the luggage to their hotel to check in, it was over 10 miles…oops, I didn’t realize how long it actually was, I’m just so used to walking/metroing everywhere. At least I didn’t forget to give them their first Mote con huesillo as a first taste of Chile.
The next day we went to Cerro San Lucia and the artisan marketplace there, where the Chilean pesos began to come out of the wallets in earnest due to mom’s first shopping experience in Chile and luckily for rah, K and I come Christmastime, by no means was it the last. We also made it to the Plaza de Armas and the National Cathedral, Mom and Dad also got to try their first Chilean empanadas. Mom and Dad were also even more awesome and took some of my closest friends I’ve made here and me out for pizza. We went through some delicious pizza pies and a couple bottles of wine and ended up closing the place out with our fun discussions about the US, Australia, Canada, and Chile.
The next afternoon we then flew to Puerto Montt and spent the night and the next half-day there. It was neat to be right on the Pacific Ocean, and our hotel room (in a sister hotel of where mom and dad were staying in Santiago) was spacious with a wonderful view. Mom had fun shopping for Dad before we headed out by bus to Bariloche Argentina. In customs it helped to have a “B” last name, haha
In Bariloche we were able to tour the Lake Nahuel Huapi and see two nature reserve islands with spectacular views from the boat of the Andes mountains, including the highest peak in Argentina Torre-“something” (I’ll have to get out the guidebook and check) we ventured off the beaten path and had good exercise hiking so then treated ourselves to some delicious steak from the parrilla (grill) at a restaurant called el Boliche del Alberto. If you’re ever in Bariloche, go check it out, and you can also drink some Santa Julia Cabernet Sauvignon (somebody finally realized how cool I am and named a wine after me). We also had some delicious chocolate, it was so hard not to eat all of it the rest of the trip.
We bussed back to Puerto Montt, and spent a half-day there before bussing and ferrying to Chiloe the next day. First we went to Castro, the capital of the Big Island and had some amazing crab and seafood. We saw some dolphins of the ferry-rides and then in Castro visited the same Church Pope John Paul II visited in 1987. The next day we headed to Ancud with the goal of seeing the penguins, unfortunately the penguins left their colonies in late march, something no one told us until we arrived, ready for some hard-core penguin watching. We were able to take a cold but informative and pretty tour on the pacific though, seeing some otters: the gatos del mar “cats of the sea”, some flightless ducks and other birds as well as getting some spectacular views of the Island. It was truly gorgeous in Chiloe.
We headed back to Puerto Montt, flew back to Santiago then spend the next 2 days around the city. We were able to have dinner with a group that included my friend Kat and her parents who were also visiting. I had to go to class on Tuesday but Mom and Dad navigated the city without me like pros. The last night Miriam hosted us all to dinner in the house and we had the last of our wonderful dinners, sharing the whole experience of where I’m staying with them.
It was so tough to say goodbye on Wednesday but I’m so grateful for the fact I was able to see them and share the whole experience with them. I can’t wait for Sarah and Kaela to visit! I should have enough Reese’s and peanut butter to last me until them, haha!
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