Can you smell School in the air?

It is the first week of school for most people and I can smell it in the air. You know, when the air starts to change...when its not so hot and there is a sweet hint of fall in the air when you walk outside in the mornings. The smell makes me miss school. The excitement and anticipation of a new year, buying new clothes and school supplies. Wondering who is going to be in your classes and if you'll like your teachers. It's a whirlwind and I miss it. Call me crazy, but I miss school. I don't miss the homework or the tests or all the reading. I miss the enviroment, learning, and friends. I miss summers off and the thrill of Christmas vacation. Life is different when you graduate...everything become so "real world". Good luck everyone--I hope its a great school year!

I love Jack in Concert!

Yesterday, for Shawn's birthday (4 months late) We went to the Jack Johnson Concert at Usana Amphitheater. It was down right amazing! I loved it. Jack Johnson is one of my favorite people to see in concert. The music is great and I love that I can sing every line right along with him. We got there early, and our seats were fabulous. The weather even cooperated to make for a perfect evening.

Pics Blast

Here is a Blast of Chile Picture.. Hopefully Melissa will add some commentary.

Sun spots on Lago Llanquihue.

The Larger Pic of Lago Llanquihue

Dinner at "El Giratorio". The restaurant actually turns in a circle while you dine... It was amazing!

Mark and Mark at "El Giratorio"

El Templo de Santiago.

Me in front of my Temple.

My very french looking friend Mark Weinberg. Check out his website and blog when you get a minute!

Panoramic of Santiago

La Virgen and Melissa.

Santiago and Me. (Shawn) ((Duh))

Melissa and Santiago

Now both of us in front of Santiago from "El Cerro San Cristobal"

Mel catching up on some much need sleep as we cruised along at 100 mph.

Chilean cost seen as we flew from Puerto Montt to Santiago.

Check out Chilean road making... No. It's not a Mazada commercial.

Mark parked there... ok. Not me.

Volcan Osorno.

"Los Saltos de Petrohue" You need to see the color of the water when the sunlight isn't so bright!

The sign behind us says "Lover's Lane"

Me on a boat ride on "Lago Todos Los Santos"

More pics from the boat ride.

This chapel was awesome and kinda creepy. We found it empty and all alone on this middle of nowhere road on "Chiloe"

Houses on Chiloe.. Check out the stilts eh?

Now it's the Marks turn to catch up on some sleep while I do 100 mph.

Chilling after a long day of sight seeing.

More homes in Chiloe

"Frutillar"

Mark freshing up after the 9 and 1/2 hour flight down.

I hope you enjoyed the photo blast.

Long Awaited Pics

Shawn here... Enjoy some long awaited pics from the Chile trip!

Here is the whole gang at Mamita's house! That's her in the middle with her husband.

This is the Familia Almuna. I love them to pieces.

Click this one... Zoom out and enjoy the view from Vina del Mar looking over at Valaparaiso.

Mel kicking it on top of Santa Lucia... A mansion like building/park in downtown Santiago.

Here we are in front of "The" fountain halfway up Santa Lucia.

Melissa in front of "La Moneda" or White House.

Luz and Bernardita Valenzuela. Awesome converts!

It may not seem possible. Click. Zoom. And Confirm. Yes that really is a pound of condiments.

Here I am in the Museo de la Moneda. Pretty sweet. I'll put more pics up in a minute... Hope this satisfies your Chilean Picture needs... It was the trip of a lifetime.

Goodbye Chile, Hello the United States

We are home. The End. No really we had a great trip and we are all safe. It feels very good to be home (and clean!), but I was sad to leave. Chile is so beautiful--The mountains, green hills, rocky coast line and especially the wonderful people. I guess I was just blogging to say we're home. We'll be back on with photos and stories shortly I'm sure. Traveling to Chile was an awe inspiring experience for me and I hope we go back someday...I think Shawn is already planning our next trip back. "Oh the places [we] will go..."

We FINALLY made it to Chile!!

We Made it to CHILE!! It felt like we were traveling forever (probably because we were) but we made it! I am completely overwhelmed. Its like a total sensory overload, but I love it. I understand pretty much Nothing. There is so much to say, I don't know what to say! Its been cloudy and grey down here in Puerto Varas, but everything is so green and beautiful. The people are fascinating to me, but I'm worried about people watching because I don't want to be rude, or do something culturally that isn't ok... All the boys Spanish is coming back its a transition really, they're speaking Spanish more and more and English less and less, which leaves me more lost with every passing moment. Haha. I'm having a blast. I really love it here (and I've only been here a day!) Every day is an adventure and I'm looking foward to all the others. Today we went to Chiloe, and saw an eerie church, cute houses, and colorful boats. Today I really felt like we were here, in Chile.Shawn and I on the ferry to Chiloe
The crazy eerie Chapel...
And the cute colorful houses on stilts in Castro!

Well, its late, so I'm out. Buenos Noches--Me gusta Chile!