I got to thinking about this old phlog over the weekend, when I got to get out of the city and head to Olmue for a friend’s birthday. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than not being in a city of more than six million people. This phlog was the first time I really got to see the Andes’ glory. I fell in love.

Respite from the city

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Ah, the Andes. Good to finally see them so clearly in all of their glory. No smog hiding them here in Caleu, just majestic tranquility in this small little mountain town about an hour outside of Santiago, a.k.a a two-hour bus ride.

We’ll begin with the bus. Once all seats were full, I noticed people were still boarding and I come to find that here, people are allowed to stand in and block the aisle. As we begin our journey, a man jumps on to offer passengers drinks and candy, and then another with cakes and nuts, and then yet another, more verbal salesman belting a pitch for his Argentine chocolates. They squeezed up and down the crowded aisle as if it were a football game; it was a mad house, but eventually, one by one they hopped off, headed for the next bus.

The ride kept the eyes engaged as we drove with the Coastal Mountain Range on one side and the massive Andes on the other. I came here upon an invite from my boss Steve to clear the mind and breath some fresh air. So here I am basking in the sun with the cats and dogs surrounding me doing the same. There were no car alarms last night to disturb my sleep, and the only thing that’s made me tense is Steve’s 12-year-old son Ray beating me twice in chess.

Life is peaceful here, and full of beauty, so enjoy the vistas!

 

Random thought: Why does the Olive Garden always give out Andes mints? Shouldn’t they have Alps Mints?