From A (avocados and artichokes) to Z (Zapallar)

From A (avocados and artichokes) to Z (Zappalar)

Empanadas of all sorts, fried or baked, and "completas" (palto=avocado, tomatoes, onions and here a hot dog) are among the favorite Chilean fast foods, available at bus stations and on every street.

Since I arrived in Chile 4 months ago I have wanted to visit a town called Zapallar, where the elite build mansions, and where there is much construction of smaller hotels and condos. I wanted to see if it was indeed a bit like the California coast around Big Sur or Santa Barbara. Everyone had already been there or was not interested, so Sister Umber and I went to the bus station (where we were sent to another station at U. de Santiago) and waited 2 hours for the Turbus (the buses are wonderful in Chile).

Houses along the way were Chilean, but the terrain reminded us of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, or parts of California. Just like from my city we needed to cross the coast range (cordillera) going west from the Andes, and then north (about 2 1/2 hours).

We could be looking across the Golden Gate to Marin County, California, with pines, cyprus, and eucalyptus and boats. 

We had been told that we could avoid climbing over lots of huge boulders which would take too much time, by walking along the small highway south of Zapallar to the small town of Cachagua, past a park and then down a trail to connect with the famous fabulous "rambla" (a stone walkway that connects the two towns about 3 km. apart. Can you pick it out towards the left near the water?) But despite asking everyone we met, we never found the path, the rambla, never saw the Chilean penguins or sea lions, or surf crashing against granite up close, but we did get some exercise, fresh air, and the desire to go back and find it next time! It is not tourist season, so we met no other tourists except a couple from Austria when we finally reached the tiny town of Cachagua.

We did walk on the beach and among the tide pools and then to Cachagua to catch the bus home.

We found the thatched roofs of almost all the new and older homes a bit strange

There's a piece of the rambla, but the rest means boulder hopping.

Central Chile is waiting for rain. Grapes and olives grow well here, but most of the delicious produce which is very reasonable comes from other areas. I still buy lots of blueberries, strawberries, etc.

Santiago's Estacion Central. Estacion Mapocho (below) was built in France and transported in pieces, but is now a renovated cultural center after much damage from earthquakes.

I had to take a picture of these artichokes...they look like flowers!  

I hope to find more wonderful concerts at times when I can attend. Working the evening shift makes it almost impossible. I'm glad to be able to listen to my California Bay Area classical station via internet.

Most of the metro stations have murals. To ride buses or the metro we buy "BIP" cards and keep recharging them. One ride costs a little over $1 US.

Providencia (our comuna) is filled with outdoor and indoor restaurants, which look delightful, though I almost always cook my own food.

There is a pleasant sculpture  (Chilean artists) garden along the river, with changing exhibits inside.

 University education is expensive in Chile, as are the private schools (colegios). Public education (escuela and liceo) also has costs, and most children/youth wear uniforms and attend from March-December from about 8/8:30 AM until 3/3:30, many coming home for lunch, the main meal. In the evening people have "once" (a warm drink and bread, crackers, something lighter)....more like British "tea." They drink a lot of juice and soda. There are candy and other snacks sold on every street, which probably accounts for more overweight people, as in other developed/developing countries.
Most children/ students study English, but are not very proficient unless they are in a top school and continue in college. I have met few people who study another foreign language. Many of the young LDS study English in the Pathways program. which allows them upon completion of three semesters on-line and with weekly meetings, to apply for BYU Idaho classes online.

I gave up after unsuccessfully trying to order a Fodor's Chile guidebook, but found one at this used book sale in Providencia...hooray!

From our convenient laundry room (washers and dryers are free to us) on the fourth floor, I took a photo of the construction site across the small street that runs between my apartment and this new residence (apartment building) to have 7 floors. The cement trucks, and hammers, drills, etc. wake us at 7 AM and the huge crane swings back and forth over our heads. They are working on the 3rd and 4th floors now. Building codes are very strict and foundations are especially built to resist earthquakes. Most people live in high rise buildings. I'm also waiting for these young ginko trees put my window to put on their yellow leaves.

We appreciate the very hard-working gardeners, especially the Haitians, who squat in the hot sun, and start work very early planting flowers (primroses here), mowing and blowing (another way to make sure we are awake), and keeping the temple grounds immaculate and beautiful.

Worldwide there are currently 159 temples in operation, with others close to being dedicated. The fact that temples (which have existed since the time of Adam that sacred ordinances might be performed) are planned for Russia, Haiti, Thailand, India, Zimbabwe, Durban South Africa and many other countries shows that the LDS church continues to grow throughout the world, without distinction as to wealth, education, race or ethnicity.  President Nelson on a recent visit throughout  Asia and Africa encouraged LDS members in Thailand to prepare themselves and their families to attend the temple. “I bless you with love at home, success in your work and joy in your hearts as you prepare for the temple of the Lord here in this sacred country,” he concluded. I'm grateful I can participate in this work in Chile. As I enter the temple I feel a desire to be a better person, a little less selfish and focused on temporal things that matter little in the whole scheme of things.
Have a wonderful week!
 Love,
Miriam