I am curled up in my pajamas at home now, and my dad and great uncle are watching the Bears play against the Jets on TV. It is snowing outside, and we have heating so it is nice and warm despite the cold weather.
It is a nice feeling being back home and being surrounded by what is familiar to me: my dad's house, driving around the neighborhood, the last school I worked at, and visiting family and friends. It has been a really nice experience catching up with some of my friends and their families, and they were eager to hear about my experiences. I've gotten to see most of my family also, and it's always nice catching up with them too.
When visiting my brother's work, I was surprised to hear how many of his employees have been reading my blog. One of them asked me, "So you're the guy that did the bungee jumping?" It almost made me feel like a celebrity, and it was flattering to meet people that I didn't know before that are readers.
And of course it has been great being home for the food. I've been enjoying turkey, ham, oven browned potatos, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, Philly pretzels, and other foods that I have been missing for the past year. It has been so nice having home cooked meals and sharing them with family and friends, as it is something I always look forward to at the holidays.
I've also enjoyed nabbing some great after Christmas deals. I got a new pair of jeans for $10, and a new pair of corduroy pants were $15. I'm hoping that some stores will have shorts and jeans shorts before I go back to Santiago, as I really need some new pairs.
Being back has magnified some of the cultural differences between Chile and the United States. I think the biggest one I'm noticing now is with materialism and shopping. In general it seems that material possessions are considered more important in the States, and it's not common to go out shopping even when you don't need anything. It's also very easy to buy things using a credit card and not worrying about it until the bill comes in the next month. I've certainly been guilty about this plenty of times before.
In Chile it seems that people usually only go shopping when they need something. Prices for clothing and electronics are usually higher in Chile than the States, and sales don't seem to be as good there as they are at home. From the Chileans I know, it seems like they have far fewer material possessions and smaller apartments than we have in the States.
When I went out shopping for the pants I bought earlier today, I found myself wandering into video game stores and feeling tempted to buy some used games before realizing I would probably only play them for a week or two before they would collect dust. I also only brought cash with me, and I'm realizing that paying in cash makes you realize how much you are paying as opposed to credit card.
Considering the cultural differences, I can't blame people in the States for spending the way they do. After all, prices are so much lower. Since things are so affordable buying things on a whim doesn't have the financial implications that it might have for a person in a similar financial position in Chile.
I'm also trying to find things to do during my time home. Unfortunately things didn't work out for me to be able to substitute at the last school I was at, so I'm looking for some opportunities to do some tutoring for Spanish, German, or elementary school. I'm also going to take advantage of a boxing gym's 7 day free trial, then hopefully a Bally's 14 day free trial in order to counteract the weight that I will probably put on with all of the delicious food.
Luckily I will be visiting friends in Los Angeles for a week in January thanks to my dad's gift of frequent flyer miles, and I'll also visit a friend near Harrisburg another weekend.
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Hot Springs, Rain, Snow, and an Active Volcano
So my time in Pucón was much more of an adventure than I thought it would be.
It turns out the weather wasn´t suitable to climb up Volcan Villarica on Friday, so after waiting for breakfast to be served at my hostel I went around to tour companies to decide on something to do for the day. It turns out a lot of tours had already left for the day, so from what was left I decided on a tour of the area´s parks that ended at some hot springs. It was raining and so at least we had some coverage in the parks.
We also got to visit this lake. Apparently on one side of the former president Michelle Bachalet used to live, and then on the other side Piñera (the current president) used to live. There were also some signs of the earthquake still here:
After that, it was back to the hostel. I made some barely edible pasta and talked with some other people traveling that were staying at the same place. Speaking of my hostel, it was a really nice place to stay. It is called Paradise Pucón, and it is run by a woman named Gloria and her family. It is very homey, as they live right on the premises and do whatever they can to make you feel at home. Here are some pictures:
It turns out the weather wasn´t suitable to climb up Volcan Villarica on Friday, so after waiting for breakfast to be served at my hostel I went around to tour companies to decide on something to do for the day. It turns out a lot of tours had already left for the day, so from what was left I decided on a tour of the area´s parks that ended at some hot springs. It was raining and so at least we had some coverage in the parks.
We also got to visit this lake. Apparently on one side of the former president Michelle Bachalet used to live, and then on the other side Piñera (the current president) used to live. There were also some signs of the earthquake still here:
After that, it was off to relax in some hot springs. The ones we visited were actually really nice, in that they were inside a manmade pool and had a roof. There was a changing area and lockers also. I got to know 2 women from Santiago, a couple that were English teachers in Concepción, and a girl from Brazil. We stayed in the hot springs for close to 2 hours just talking and enjoying it.
Then Saturday morning started the real adventure: the ascent up Volcan Villarica. The van came to pick me up at 7:00, and we went to the tour company to get our gear. I was decked out in snow hiking boots, snow pants, strappy things that went under the hiking boots, a helmet, ice pick, a helmet, and even cool ski goggles. And this was before we even left the tour company.
It was an amazing sight from the bottom, but it got better and better as we got closer. I got to take a ski lift for the first time ever. The view was breathtaking. I could see the volcano right in front of me, and all of the trees were covered in snow. The only sound you could hear was the breeze of the wind going by. I was amazed by the beauty of something so simple as a snow covered mountain.
After we got off the ski lift, we walked a bit and then put the racquets on our shoes. It was totally like something out of a cartoon, but apparently they help you to walk on top of the snow and not to fall down into it.
Then the hiking began. Now I consider myself in good shape, but this was a workout fit for Superman. In addition to hiking up a regular mountain, you also had to lift your legs up and over the snow as well as carry a large backpack with your food and other supplies. After about 10 minutes I was sweating so much that I had to stop and take off my sweatshirt (as I was also wearing 2 shirts under it as well as my winter jacket). I was having trouble keeping up, but luckily I wasn´t the only one.
A guy from Brazil that also looked to be in good shape was also struggling. After 2 hours of hiking we made it to a rest stop, and we both decided that we were satisfied with having made it that far. Here is the view from where we got up to:
After we got that far, we unfortunately weren´t able to sled down becuase of the ice patches. So we walked down, but it was much faster than the ascent was. Later in the day, we explored downtown Pucón and got some dinner. Along the way we found this:
That´s right, it´s an alert of volcanic activity. Each color gives characteristics of volcanic activity, and the sign gives escape routes in case if evacuation is necessary. Then we got a delicious dinner of brasera (which is like a mini grill of lots of different types of meat).
That same night I headed out to some more hot springs, and the Brazilian guy as well as people from the tour yesterday were on this tour too. The hot springs at Los Pozones were more natural, but they weren´t as nice as the ones from the day before. Despite that, it was a nice way to spend my last night in Pucón.
The trip back to Santiago was uneventful. I had a nice breakfast at the airport, and it was probably the smallest airport I had ever seen. There were 4 gates, with three of them literally right next to each other. When you would board and disembark from your flight, you walked up or down a set of stairs onto the tarmac. It was kind of like being a famous person walking off of a flight.
It is good to be back in Santiago.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
First day traveling and first day in Rio
So the trip out of New York was the start of one big adventure. I am on a public computer now so pictures will be inserted once I have wifi.
Here I am camping out at the airport:
I befriended a native Brazilian that was on the 4:15 flight from JFK going directly to Rio, and with the snow getting worse he suggested trying to get on that flight rather than the 5:40 one I was scheduled for. I tried, but apparently I was too late to do so. Here is what things looked like while I waited:
The snow was piling up, but we boarded around 5:40. For the next 3 hours we sat while huge machines were de-icing the wings and entire plane. Looking out the window I could see frost and ice accumulating on the window, and I thought that was not a good sign. When I asked a flight atendant when we would take off, he told me that the captain was debating cancelling it at that moment. Here's what it looked like:
Luckily the plane took off around 9 at night. The flight was pretty comfortable, as I had a seat free next to me and they had video screens in front of us to watch movies and play all types of games. The food was good, and we landed in Sao Paulo around 9 the following morning. Here we are touching down:
By that point I missed my connecting flight, but they had rebooked me on a flight leaving at 12:30. There were 2 problems with this: 1.One of my luggage pieces did not show up and 2. The new flight was leaving from another airport in Sao Paulo. I spent about 45 minutes trying to get to talk to somoene from the airline about my bag but finally got to file a report. I then spent half an hour standing in the wrong line waiting to get info on how to get to the other airport. Once I found out I was supposed to be outside waiting for a shuttle but, it was already 11.
I got on the shuttle bus at 11:30, and I thought there was no chance of me making the 12:30 flight. Luckily flights to Rio from there run every half hour, so when I arrived I got booked on the 2:00 flight and had to board right away. I made a mad dash to the gate and made it there at about 1:35.
The next flight was uneventful, and after asking for help with a taxi I was able to get a legit one for 37 reales (about 20 dollars). I got checked into my hostel around 3:30 or so, and it was such a relief to be there. The heat here is crazy, as it must be about 90 degrees and there is humidity on top of that. Once I got settled I went out exploring with an English couple, and we got some nice pictures of the Santa Teresa area and then got a bite to eat. I got a hamburger made of lamb, but it was served without the bun.
Now I am working on plans for hang gliding and taking tours over the next few days. I am in serious need of a tan, so the beach is definitely on the agenda for tomorrow. It is such a good feeling to finally be here and that everything has worked out.
Here I am camping out at the airport:
I befriended a native Brazilian that was on the 4:15 flight from JFK going directly to Rio, and with the snow getting worse he suggested trying to get on that flight rather than the 5:40 one I was scheduled for. I tried, but apparently I was too late to do so. Here is what things looked like while I waited:
The snow was piling up, but we boarded around 5:40. For the next 3 hours we sat while huge machines were de-icing the wings and entire plane. Looking out the window I could see frost and ice accumulating on the window, and I thought that was not a good sign. When I asked a flight atendant when we would take off, he told me that the captain was debating cancelling it at that moment. Here's what it looked like:
Luckily the plane took off around 9 at night. The flight was pretty comfortable, as I had a seat free next to me and they had video screens in front of us to watch movies and play all types of games. The food was good, and we landed in Sao Paulo around 9 the following morning. Here we are touching down:
By that point I missed my connecting flight, but they had rebooked me on a flight leaving at 12:30. There were 2 problems with this: 1.One of my luggage pieces did not show up and 2. The new flight was leaving from another airport in Sao Paulo. I spent about 45 minutes trying to get to talk to somoene from the airline about my bag but finally got to file a report. I then spent half an hour standing in the wrong line waiting to get info on how to get to the other airport. Once I found out I was supposed to be outside waiting for a shuttle but, it was already 11.
I got on the shuttle bus at 11:30, and I thought there was no chance of me making the 12:30 flight. Luckily flights to Rio from there run every half hour, so when I arrived I got booked on the 2:00 flight and had to board right away. I made a mad dash to the gate and made it there at about 1:35.
The next flight was uneventful, and after asking for help with a taxi I was able to get a legit one for 37 reales (about 20 dollars). I got checked into my hostel around 3:30 or so, and it was such a relief to be there. The heat here is crazy, as it must be about 90 degrees and there is humidity on top of that. Once I got settled I went out exploring with an English couple, and we got some nice pictures of the Santa Teresa area and then got a bite to eat. I got a hamburger made of lamb, but it was served without the bun.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Last few days in Jersey and waiting at the airport
So the time snuck up on me faster than I thought it would. My last few days included eating with family at Texas Roadhouse for the last time in a while, getting a free Grand Slam from Denny's, visiting friends and playing Wii and Dance Dance Revolution, Settlers of Catan, and visiting my school for a tapas event.
I was really stressed out yetsterday after seeing the weather forecast and was trying to frantically see about getting out on a flight for Tuesday instead of Wednesday, but the flight was full. It was still on my mind while I was at school, but the tapas event was a nice break and was a good opportunity to see some of my students again as well as some of my teaching colleauges.
After I realized that there was nothing I could do to change my flight or the weather, I decided I was simply going to enjoy my last day before the trip and just take the flight one step at a time. I had dinner with friends Tuesday night, and when I left their place around 7:45 it was already snowing, and it had accumulated quite a bit. (Weather.com was forecasting it to start at 10 or so, so I was suprised that it came earlier than that.)
Then I was off to another friend's to visit, and I stayed until about 11:30. None of us bothered to look out the window at that time, but there was probably about 6 inches then. Luckily I had brushes and ice scrapers with me, and I made it home safe and sound.
My dad and I ended up leaving around 7 in the morning, and luckily the weather had taken a break from snow, and we were getting rain. The roads were mostly clear with a little bit of slush, and here is a shot from along the way:
I was really stressed out yetsterday after seeing the weather forecast and was trying to frantically see about getting out on a flight for Tuesday instead of Wednesday, but the flight was full. It was still on my mind while I was at school, but the tapas event was a nice break and was a good opportunity to see some of my students again as well as some of my teaching colleauges.
After I realized that there was nothing I could do to change my flight or the weather, I decided I was simply going to enjoy my last day before the trip and just take the flight one step at a time. I had dinner with friends Tuesday night, and when I left their place around 7:45 it was already snowing, and it had accumulated quite a bit. (Weather.com was forecasting it to start at 10 or so, so I was suprised that it came earlier than that.)
Then I was off to another friend's to visit, and I stayed until about 11:30. None of us bothered to look out the window at that time, but there was probably about 6 inches then. Luckily I had brushes and ice scrapers with me, and I made it home safe and sound.
My dad and I ended up leaving around 7 in the morning, and luckily the weather had taken a break from snow, and we were getting rain. The roads were mostly clear with a little bit of slush, and here is a shot from along the way:
We got to the airport around 9:45 or so, and by that time the weather had switched back to snow. I found the window for TAM Airlines, but the woman was busy helping others. So I decided to double check the weight of my bags. A guy helped me use a scale at a window, and my bags were 54 and 60 pounds each. He told me that the weight limit was 50 pounds per bag, which was contrary to what the airline told me of 70 pounds per bag.
I checked out a store in the airport that sold luggage pieces and carryon luggage, but a small duffel bag was $82. So that started the Great Repacking. I pulled out things for my dad to mail to me, and I started moving heavier items into my carryon pieces. After about half an hour of that and reweighing bags, my dad was able to talk to the woman at the desk for TAM Airlines, and it turns out that the baggage limits for TAM were indeed 70 pounds. So everything went back into my bags after all.
While my dad was waiting in line for the airline, he started talking to a woman also waiting in line. It turns out that she is Brazlian but living in New York and is traveling there to visit family for Carneval. She was also checking the weight of her bags, and it turns out she's on the same flight as me. My dad and I and her got lunch together and got to talk some more. She was giving me travel advice and even went as far as to call her son in law who lives and grew up in Rio. She talked to him and told him about me, and he is willing to show me around over the weekend. She even told me that she will be back for the entire month of September and offered to show me around if I wanted to visit her then. I have her number there to call her. Once they learn that you are visiting their country, the hospitality of complete strangers never ceases to amaze me.
This is completely off topic, but apparently men in the JFK airport need help with their aim in the restrooms:
The first urnial I went to looked like it had a dead fly in it, so I went to the next one. Then I realized that every single urinal has a small fly painted on the inside of it. I guess maybe other guys don't have such as good aim as me, and perhaps this cuts down on costs of cleaning the floors of the restroom.
So I got in line to check in around 12:15 or so, and it was time to say bye to my dad. I'm going to miss him, and we got a picture together before he headed back:
I've claimed a small area of the floor next to an outlet, and my Ipod and camera are completely charged. My laptop is plugged in now too. I still have over 2 hours before I have to get ready for boarding. It looks like my flight will be fine after all of my worrying, and asking all of my friends and family to cross their fingers and toes for me also helped out too.
Now hopefully my flight to Sao Paulo will go smoothly as well as making my connecting flight to Rio.
Countdown to departure: 3 hours 10 minutes
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Is it summer yet?
Well, it is in South America. Here in New Jersey, however, we are still in the dead of winter. Today we got about 27 inches of snow, and forecasts are calling for snow on Tuesday and Wednesday also. I am really hoping that the snow is not bad enough to delay my trip, as I am paying $80 a night for my hostel and am getting the sinking feeling that they will charge me whether or not my trip is delayed.
At the family party I got to see a lot of people I won't get to see until I return from my trip. The food was great, as well as the company. I discovered that the flash on my digital camera is not firing, and at first I was upset that I would have to find a new camera before the trip. A little bit later my brother and sister in law asked me what I needed for my birthday and ultimately the trip, and so I told them about my camera and they agreed to get me a new one for my birthday.
So I did some research online and now have a Canon Powershot CD1200 Elph. It's compact and got excellent reviews from friends as well as Consumer Reports, and from what I can tell so far it takes awesome pictures. You can check it out here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18144
I also found what is considered to be the Bible of travel guides for South America. The Footprints guide is 1800 pages thick and is updated annually. I figure that between that and the Let's Go Chile guide I have from Christmas a few years ago that I am set.
I had a birthday dinner with some close friends on the night of my birthday, and it was a really nice way to celebrate. I got invited to school to take part in a tapas event with some of my former students and the teacher I long term subbed for, and that will be a nice way for me to say my goodbyes there too.
For anyone following this, please cross your fingers (and toes if you want too) that my flight will depart on time without any problems with the predicted snowfall.
Countdown to departure: 4 days
At the family party I got to see a lot of people I won't get to see until I return from my trip. The food was great, as well as the company. I discovered that the flash on my digital camera is not firing, and at first I was upset that I would have to find a new camera before the trip. A little bit later my brother and sister in law asked me what I needed for my birthday and ultimately the trip, and so I told them about my camera and they agreed to get me a new one for my birthday.
So I did some research online and now have a Canon Powershot CD1200 Elph. It's compact and got excellent reviews from friends as well as Consumer Reports, and from what I can tell so far it takes awesome pictures. You can check it out here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18144
I also found what is considered to be the Bible of travel guides for South America. The Footprints guide is 1800 pages thick and is updated annually. I figure that between that and the Let's Go Chile guide I have from Christmas a few years ago that I am set.
I had a birthday dinner with some close friends on the night of my birthday, and it was a really nice way to celebrate. I got invited to school to take part in a tapas event with some of my former students and the teacher I long term subbed for, and that will be a nice way for me to say my goodbyes there too.
For anyone following this, please cross your fingers (and toes if you want too) that my flight will depart on time without any problems with the predicted snowfall.
Countdown to departure: 4 days
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