Valparaiso, Chile and Casa Morande Restaurant

Today we had a nice drive out to Casa Morande Restaurant and then on to the port city of Valparaiso.

                                        Sarah and Owen ready for their road trip

We drove toward the coast through the mountains. We made a stop at the Casa Morande Restaurant. They had a playscape for the children. We  enjoyed  a Reserva Sauvignon Blanc and an appetizer plate--bread with olive oil and spiced butter, rabbit empanada with orange marmalade sauce, ceviche with shrimp and sea bass, tuna tartar, lamb brochette and mushroom crostini. Delicious! 

                                                 A shady play area

It was a pleasant stop and soon we were on our way to the port city of Val Paraiso.  This city sent supplies to San Francisco after their big earthquake, and  then suffered a major one thereafter from which she  has never quite recovered. There were many old beautiful buildings, though, which survived. Naval ships are stationed out at sea and many boats were at the harbor.

We then took the funicular up to the to the top of the city to see the view. Hmm-scary! But worth it. The view was great.

                           These painted houses cover the hillsides surrounding the harbor.

The Admiralty, which houses the armada headquarters was impressive.

Our next stop was Vina Indomita Vineyards. We sat out on the terrace and admired the view and had another glass of wine and a wonderful cheese plate.Did I mention that the weather is delightful here?

                                                           Yummy!

                  View from the restaurant

The drive back was pleasant. We passed through the beautiful valleys planted with many crops. The mountains are always in the distance. We drove again through downtown Santiago. I was again impressed by the many parks, even in the poorer areas of the city.

                                                      Just one smaller park in the city

A great day! Home and asleep very early. Until tomorrow. . .
                                                

Shopping in Los Dominicos

                                        Exterior View of Los Dominicos

Los Dominicos is a shopping treat! The winding paths are lined with small shops.  I was fascinated again this year by a tree with purple flowers. I'm determined to discover the species this year.

The shops are filled with  many delights-fine shawls, wraps, etc., jewelry, artwork, copper items, wood carved items, and much more.  I shopped until I dropped--purchased a few items but decided to wait to buy more until we had toured other places.

I noted that the Chileans do not decorate to the extent that we do. I didn't see any lights in the neighborhoods and not too much elsewhere.

                                                I was told that these are grape palms and that the fruit is used in ice cream.

My son and his wife bought me a beautiful wrap in one of the shops. I'll be nice and cozy this winter.

                                                    Wonderful selections!

After looking through all the shops that were open, we then drove around Santiago - what a beautiful city! I am so impressed by all the greenery. The boulevards are heavily planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Plants abound on the balconies of the apartments. There is even one building with grass growing on the outside walls.  I didn't see any litter. Parks  and bike paths seem to be everywhere. What a difference all the trees and flowers make--I never really felt that I was in such a large city--rather, just neighborhoods. The cell phone towers are even covered with fake palm trees which look surprisingly real!

We went to Lido--a grocery store recently purchased by Wal Mart--a shade nicer than our Wal Marts at home. There was an escalator leading to the store-

                                                          A ramp escalator

                                                     The restaurant area

Emporium

                                              One of the few Christmas displays

The store also had clothes, appliances, a pharmacy and most of the other products we have in our Wal Marts. The checkers in this store were also sitting in high backed chairs.

We had a nice drive home. Paul grilled wonderful, tender, tasty prime beef steaks for dinner. We sat on the porch until late enjoying the evening--then off to bed. Until later . . . 

A Very Special Sunday in Chile

What a special day! I was lucky enough to be here for my grandson, Owen's, baptism. He was very impressed and overcome by the occasion. He asked his Mom to read his new bible to him instead of attending Sunday School.

                                                     Paul, Dawn, Sarah and Owen

I am very proud of my family!

After church, we had a quick lunch and then drove to their club, which is just a 5 minute drive up the mountain from their house. What a relaxing afternoon. We sat out by the pools and just read, watched the kiddos play and relaxed. It is a beautiful place--5 outside pools including a wave pool, a warm pool, an inside pool, exercise rooms, trampolines for the children, restaurant, riding stables, etc. Wow! Here are a few photos,but I didn't managed to capture how beautiful  it is.

                                                                   My sweet grandchildren!

Then home, Paul cooked sausage on the grill, we ate out on the porch (wonderful with the mountains in the background!. Early to bed for me. Until later . . .

Christmas in Chile

After all these years, I finally was able to attend the ballet and see the Nutcracker. We went to the theater in downtown Santiago. It was  150 years old and had been restored beautifully! This is one small part of it.

                                                              Wow!
We were lucky enough to be able to sit in one of the balcony boxes. And on top of that, I had VIP treatment. Paul's secretary had called and asked about the walking distance and stairs, and they had us drive right up to the back entrance, whisked me inside with a wheelchair right to our box and then picked me up afterwards! Downtown Santiago is beautiful, with many parks down the main boulevards. Trees are planted everywhere. We stopped by the grocery store on ther way home. Their selection of fruits and vegetables was wonderful. One interesting thing I noticed is that their checkers sit in high backed chairs. Nice!

Yesterday we went to one of their neighbors (and Paul and Dawn's co-workers) for the Feast of the Seven Fishes (an Italian tradition). Wonderful and what a nice group of people. I don't know if I have mentioned that my son is a Foreign Service Officer (the Press Officer at the American Embassy). At every gathering that I have attended, everyone without fail, has welcomed me, sat and talked to me, etc. They are a very gracious group of people. And have had so many interesting experiences! It is always such fun to attend one of their gatherings.

Even though we were stuffed when we left, that night Paul made a homemade Mexican feast (enchiladas, rice, beans, guacamole, etc. I made my second batch of pralines and Dawn and I made kolaches. The kiddos had great fun playing with the scraps of dough.

This morning we had our usual kolaches while opening presents. Paul is making a coconut cake and a pork loin, etc. for Christmas dinner.

I was so impressed by my grandchildren. They insisted that we open one of our presents first. They had lots of loot and were just as pleased with some of the little gifts as the large ones. They have played all day.

                                         Sarah, Owen and Cubby checking out the stockings!

It's time to enjoy the remainder of the day. I am heading out to the porch-beautiful weather-nice and warm!
Until later . . .

Christmas visit to Santiago,Chile

Here I am in beautiful Santiago, Chile. My flight was unenventful. I sat next to a nice woman from Chile. and practiced my Spanish, but had difficulty understanding her. She used some words I had never heard. :) I spent most of yesterday playing with the grandchildren and taking short naps. The weather was a little cooler, so we had dinner inside. Then after the children went to bed, we sat on the porch and enjoyed the evening. There is such a nice view of the mountains from the back yard. As you can see, their neighborhood looks very similar to ones in the U.S. Each street is a cul de sac, with a park running the length at the beginning. These photos will give you some idea of the architecture of this particular neighborhood. Others are built in Spanish style or ultra modern. I didn't see any evidence of the earthquake. Their neighborhood is located at the base of the foothills. There are huge boulders perched above us and lots of cactus.

                                    Yikes-hope one of these boulders does not come tumbling down!

                                 This photo was taken from the 2nd floor balcony.

                                          A view of the back porch


I'll be making pralines this morning. In the afternoon Dawn, Sarah and I will go to see The Nutcracker. The kiddos are excited about Christmas and are counting down the days.

Tomorrow we will go to one of the neighbor's houses for Feast of the Seven Fishes. Until then ...