La Lluvia

We actually had quite an adventure on our last night in Santiago. We took the funicular up to the top of Cerro San Cristobal to see the sun set. Upon learning that the last trip down a very big hill was a half hour before sunset, we decided to take our chances on getting down some other way.



After a spectacular sunset, it became apparent there were no taxis up there. I asked the only person driving down if he had room for us, but unfortunately his SUV was quite full. So we started off walking. A few minutes later they passed us and rearranged everyone so we could ride down. Not only that, this kind Argentine family took us to our hotel. I refer to them as our "Good Samaritans."

After a wonderful dinner in a Peruvian restaurant, we got to bed early since our taxi to the airport was coming at 6:30 am. It was such a pleasure to go through Chilean security, where we could leave our shoes on and our water bottles filled and they actually believed me when I said it was my metal hip setting off the alarm.

It turned out the band who play with Marc Anthony were all on our flight going to Conception for a gig tonight. Seated next to me was Alexandra Taveras, the lead female singer, who was simply delightful. In addition to hearing about her glamorous career in the music world, we exchanged pictures of children and dogs. She comes from a long line of strong Dominican women. Even though I know little of salsa music, I am determined to go see them perform the next time they are at the Nissan Pavilion.



We rented a car under sunny skies, but soon after we arrived in Villarica the clouds moved in and it started to rain, leaving the volcano totally obscured. We can hardly complain after the last few days of warm sunshine, but we are both wondering if we are in for 40 days and 40 nights. It's that slow sort of rain that seems like it might never end.



So this afternoon after a long nap, we are siting next to a warm fire, drinking tea and eating homemade banana bread, reading on our iPads, watching the rain fall into the garden, and listening to music by Barroco Andino, a Chilean group started in1974 and now defunct, like several other things I remembered from that era.



With any luck we may get a brief respite from the rain in the morning. If so, we will be heading down the Torten River, each in a small boat with a fisherman (botero) who will guarantee us a good catch, which our hostel will then cook up for us.

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Location:Avenida Juan Antonio Ríos,Villarrica,Chile