Chile Wrap Up and Home to the Sunny San Francisco Bay Area

Santiago, when we finally made it, was a treat. Not too cold considering it was midwinter with nice friendly people, good food and an interesting city to roam around on my own while Tim went to meetings. The director of the Santiago program, Ivan Jacsik, and his staff arranged a fun wine tasting and lunch at Santa Rita Vineyards when the meeting ended.

Nearly all the directors of the Stanford Overseas Centres, the staff in Santiago and Stanford, Palo Alto

Tim and I had arranged to stay in Chile after the meeting, to spend the weekend at a country lodge SW of Santiago with Ivan. Tim rented a teeny car and the three of us piled into it with all our luggage and set off to the remote Residencia Historica in Marchihue where we settled in for the evening, sitting in front of a blazing fire before dinner. The calm scene was interrupted by a slow rumble that began to shake, roar and yes, scare me stupid! Not content with living on the sleepy San Andreas fault, we travelled all the way to Chile to experience my first temblor since arriving in 2000. It was only 5.7magnitude. Nothing to get too excited over, according to the locals.

On Saturday we drove to the coastal town of Pichelimu to breathe in the cool Pacific air, take a hike along the sea wall, check out the local Saturday market, and enjoy another splendid meal - lunch at the La Gloria Restaurant. Ivan ate sea urchins and sea squirts - mmmm.... I didn't  have my camera that day so was unable to capture this delicate moment.

Back to our lodge for an afternoon siesta followed by another roaring fire sans earth tremor. Pisco Sours were ordered according to Ivan's excellent fine tuning, not too sweet, followed by more good food. After dinner the three of us began a very serious game of pool and ended the evening in much mirth.

Starter for dinner that night. A nicely dressed 'moulded' salad with mozarella topping. Pisco Sour not quite finished and a glass of Chilean red

And then the giggly game of pool. Tim in action, Ivan looking on

We returned to Santiago the next day with a stop at a very popular craft market. And more food. And then spent the night with Ivan in his beautiful apartment with the snow-capped Andes in his front yard. Monday we headed back to Buenos Aires, getting a last look at the magnificent mountains.

The flight back home was uneventful. Bit of a let-down after the 5 day outward journey!

It's good to be back in the Bay Area - perfect summer weather, not too much fog, long days and good hikes.