Parrots

A flash of green, a splotch of red... a dab of blue. All the colors of the rainbow whizzing by our window as we took the three hour bus ride north, to the historical town of Valdivia. Every time the bus exceeded 100KM per hour, an alarm would go off to kindly remind our driver that he could lose his current occupation, if he kept up at this rate. The sign also indicated the driver's name, and the amount of hours that he had driven so far, in order that we could be assured we were not at the hands of a caffeine guzzling, red bull fueled mad man with one goal...to make it to the next town with his eyelids open. Actually, the ride was pretty smooth and went with out a hitch.
We arrived around 5:00ish at the bus terminal, which believe it or not looked very similar to every other bus terminal we've been to on this trip. We found a taxi, and tried to pronounce the name of the hostel we were staying at, so the driver would know where to deliver us. Totem. That was the name. Say it out loud, and now sound it out 3 different ways. Correct! $1000 pesos and one minute later, we arrived at the front door. A very lovely hostel with kindly hosts and a delicious European continental breakfast each morning.
We came to Valdivia because of a Chilean TESL conference, that was conveniently happening in a nearby town on a weekend that we had free. Kim registered Friday evening and attended a few classes, while I scoped the town out by foot. I was immediately drawn to a flock of sea lions lazily laying on a wooden platform on the river. I stayed for awhile gawking, along with the other passersby, at the awkwardly large and lethargic brown creatures, who on occasion would grunt loudly and bare their teeth at each other, as if to say, "I am king of this platform" That evening, it rained. We had seafood at a warm little cafe.
The next day Kim had mores classes, so after finishing a breakfast of ham, cheese, bread, jam and nescafe, we headed to the university for round two. I, then, set out to explore another segment of the town. I visited the daily fish and vegetable market then I walked and I walked and I walked... while it rained and rained and rained. Next thing I knew, the road had become dirt, and I was surrounded by the forest. I soon realized that the short cut back to the university that I had imagined, was not.
So tracing my steps back, I passed the boat parking lot, and the agricultural equipment dealership (they sell the same stuff I used to!) passed the Palestinian restaurant, crossed over the bridge back to the mainland, and arrived just in time to meet my baby, and have lunch at a Chilean Italian restaurant. (ham and cheese pizza with sliced red peppers and hard boiled eggs on it. Surprisingly, delicious)
I sent Kim back to class, and walked back to the Hostel to rest my weary feet. Alas, the sun came out again! Yea! Sunday, was more classes until two. Then we got to explore a sunny day in Valdivia together, followed by a bus ride back to home sweet Puerto Montt. Time to start a fire and settle in for the night.
A flash of green, a splotch of red... a dab of blue. All the colors of the rainbow whizzing by our window this morning.... Parrots, parrots and more parrots. Apparently they migrate here in the spring. This place is amazing! We are thankful to have this time in our lives to enjoy God's amazing creation, meet many new friends, and experience life in a new culture!