Here are some final photos from the weekend in Rupanco. 

After constant rain all day on Saturday, we woke up Sunday morning to clear blue skies. Southern Chile is so strange in that way, one moment its bleak and gray as Medieval England, the next moment its a sparkling emerald. The sun seemed to motivate everyone out of their slumber, and soon the kitchen was full of bodies bustling about to prepare all sorts of goodies for breakfast. Following the southern tradition, we had a full spread complete with farm-fresh eggs, bread, cheese, toppings of all sorts, and even a tropical-inspired smoothie. With bellies full, we embarked upon the day like one big family, ready to take a peak into the lake and awe at the surrounding volcanoes. 

Thanks everyone for such a great time!

Christian, ever with a net!

Maryse finding treasures...

Happy Lobo!

baby nalca sprouting this Spring!

girls having fun!

Thank you Erwan for your photos (9,15,16)!!

 While Pablo is in Iguazu, Argentina this week for a conference, I went on a weekend get-a-way with friends! 

On Saturday, we headed out to Lago Rupanco to celebrate Chilean Independence Day at the lake. With it being early spring, Saturday was chilly and rainy, but that didn't stop us from exploring, having a barbecue, and enjoying the time together. We made choripans and admired native trees, we heated up the wood-burning hot tub, and threw rocks into the lake for the dogs. Though I missed Pablo, I had a wonderful weekend with friends!

there's a wolf in the water!!

stir that hot tub!

So... we had a slightly ridiculous weekend.

Friday night we got wild and went out with some friends for beers and sandwiches.  Good conversation and laughs about expat life in Chile had us leaving the bar well past my bedtime.  Around midnight we strapped our helmets back onto our heads and zoomed out into the night, cycling with the stars overhead and the chilly breeze on our faces.  Arriving home exhausted and tipsy we went straight to bed.  

Little did we know that some other friends had called us during the evening.  When Pablo finally checked his phone and returned the call Saturday morning, mid-grocery shopping, we were soon presented with an offer that we just couldn't turn down.  They said, "In ten minutes we're leaving for the lake, do you want to go?"  Rather than asking for details we just said yes and high-tailed it out of the store, back home, rapidly fed the chickens, and threw some clothes and swim suits into a bag.

We had a wonderful time.  We water skied, and kayaked, swam in cold (!) water, and danced to weird music until 3am.  Here you can see a glimpse of the weekend.  In our rushed departure I forgot my camera!  The photos here are the few we took with Pablo's phone.

roadtrip!  volcanoes in the distance!

oh ya know, just another cowboy on the side of the highway