This past weekend, made my way south to Puerto Varas, a German influenced town placed on a lake with a grand view of Volcán Osorno.
 |
| Volcano Osorno in the distance. Beautiful. |
 |
| the harbor in Puerto Varas and the cerro we hiked in the background |
On Saturday after napping from an all night bus ride and a cup of coffee, we made our way to Frutillar. A smaller town on the same lake, with famous German cake, a big music hall, and many beautiful little churches and German inspired buildings.
 |
| Sitting out on the dock in Frutillar. So peaceful! |
 |
| Rebecca straight up eating palta on the micro |
That night, we went out back to the place we had coffee for free pisco sours, which turned into a night of free drinking. Piscos, mint juleps, and margaritas. all to celebrate my girl Carlyn's birthday.
 |
| Carlyn's gratis birthday of piscos |
On Sunday, after hiking the cerro, we made our way over for some ice cream and lunch. We met my good friend, Brian. A big ass smelly street dog who lived in Puerto Varas. I made friends with him and played catch in the lake, trying to give him a de facto bath. It was quite the scene, many Chileans got what I'm sure a priceless show of a gringa playing with a smelly street dog. In the end, we won his loyalty and he followed us around the rest of the trip. Oh smelly Brian (named for being a mix between a Bear and a Lion). So loyal, so happy to be with us, so smelly.
 |
| Brian, our big beautiful smelly dog |
 |
| Miss him. He's smelly though |
On Monday, we got on another micro and made our way to the Saltos de Petrohue, beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. We wandered around and went on a few trails.
 |
| Saltos de Petrohue. |
 |
| So fucking blue and beautiful |
We slept in on Tuesday, then headed home.
 |
| Carlyn running to our ride, yes, that's a truck |
In a big rig.
 |
| Rebecca's host family "dad" and us chilling in the camión. |
Yes, I know. Rebecca's de facto host family's dad drives trucks for his job, and happened to be heading back to Temuco at the same time that we were heading home, so we caught a ride with him. It was a huge hike up to the truck, a real climb. And the ride was definitely bouncier than I thought (though that might have to do with it being a 20 year old truck), but overall, it was a great experience. My first big rig ride was a success.
The trip was great. It was calm, and it was a lot of fun to just chill with other volunteers.
