Chilean adventures...part 2.

I was back in Chile with still plenty to see, so I started hitting up the museums.  I went to the Museo de Bellas Artes, which had this 'roid horse outside:

And a gorgeous intetior:

I also visited the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos (Museum of Memory and Human Rights).  **Side note: this is how I FINALLY remembered the word for "right" in spanish.  It only took 3 months.**  The museum focuses on the human rights violations during the time of the military regime in Chile.  I spent the extra couple of dollars to take the "guided tour" (headphones), which was well worth it.  It was extremely informative.  

The memorial:

On the weekend between Argentina trips, Meghann and Michael took me to a hash (the motto: A drinking group with a running problem).  That week they were also assigned as the hares... so before the run, we set out with the mission of marking the trail (and fake trails)...with flower bombs.  We walked the 7 or so kilometers before meeting the group and then running the same distance.  We worked a "beer stop" into the run (everyone stops at a local bar/pub for a beer before finishing the run), and then continued those festivities on the rooftop of a fellow Hasher's apartment complex.  It began with everyone in a circle as people were recognized for various reasons and drinking songs were sung.  Needless to say, it was a fun night.

And then came Thanksgiving...or as we have decided to call it...GRACIAS-GIVING!  We decided to not pretend that we could fake a Thanksgiving.  I mean, let's be real, you can't even find a can of pumpkin out here!  So instead, we met Meghann's co-worker for our version: Beer, a chacarero, and cheesy potatos.  This covered some of our main Thanksgiving foods - meat and green beans (on the chacarero), potatos, cheese.

My final few days involved a winery tour of at Cousino Macul cool old winery IN Santiago (where I was the ONLY one on the tour):

...and a trip to the tiny town of Pomaire for souvenirs.  This town has shops that are filled with stacks of pottery!  The pottery is made of greta, a Chilean clay.  Many traditional Chilean dishes are meant to be cooked in greta pottery.  I bought some lovely piggy souvenirs for my family (and myself).  They are considered good luck.

I should also mention our visit to the world's largest clay pig:

We tried to tame him:

...and succeeded! 

...Our final sight-seeing adventure took us to La Chascona...one of three homes of Pablo Neruda  (famous poet), which he shared with his 3rd wife.  It was gorgeous!

So ends my month in Chile and my time in South America.  Chileans may have the worst hair I have ever seen (who knew mullets and rat tails could be popular again..were they popular before?), but they also have enough self confidence to wear a fanny pack.  What more could you ask for from a country?

I am so glad I was able to visit Meghann and Michael while they were out there! They were (and have always been) the perfect travel buddies and hosts!  I may not have travelled all over Chile - but it was nice to not be constantly on the move for once!! Plus I was able to spend time with amazing friends and borrow Meghann's clothes (wearing the same 4 shirts for 3 months gets a little old)  I love those two (and Chile)!!  

~Jac