a little bit of this and a little bit of that

I have been trying to figure out why I feel I have nothing to blog about… I posed this question to one of my volunteer friends and he said, “it’s because it’s not new anymore, you’re used to being here”. I’ve been marinating on this comment for the last two days.

It’s. Not. New. Anymore. I’m. Used. To. Living. Here. How and when did Punta Arenas, Chile start to not only feel comfortable but somewhat like home?

What should have been my tell all was when my roommate Susan and I were walking down the street and we were honked at (which isn’t out of the usual) pero (but) it was a friend of ours just honking a hello. Say what… I have friends?!

I’ve been doing a lot of bike riding lately because spring has officially sprung. My kids are gearing up for graduation and the looming “summer” holiday. My cuarto media alumnus (12th graders) could not be less interested in school much less the English teacher who doesn’t speak Spanish. They are giving me and my patience a run for our money.

I only have 7 weeks left here and one of those I will be hiking Torres del Paine, below is our (volunteer friend Carly, and Keeley) schedule. I am so excited. The circuit in Torres del Paine is supposed to be one of the best hikes en la mundo (in the world). It’s going to be an amazing experience. I’m thinking it could break my writers block and give me something pretty good to write about.

More details:
Friday Night:
Arrive in Natales- Buy food- Sort gear
Saturday:
7 - 10 am bus to Hosteria Las Torres in Torres Del Paine
HIKE Hosteria Las Torres to Campamento Serón (4 hours, 5.5 miles)
CAMP Campamento Serón $4,000
Sunday:
HIKE Campamento Serón to Refugio Dickenson (6 hours, 11.8 miles)
CAMP Refugio Dickenson $4,000
Monday:
HIKE Refugio Dickenson to Campamento Los Perros (4 hours, 5.5 miles)
CAMP Campamento Los Perros $4,000

Tuesday:
HIKE Campamento Los Perros to Campamento Los Guardas (9 hours, 11 miles) * I hear this will be the hardest hike but it will have beautiful view of glacier grey.
CAMP Campamento Los Guardas $free
Wednesday:
HIKE Campamento Los Guardas to Campamento Italiano (7.5 hours, 14 miles) *We´ll put a lot of miles in this day, but it will be on easy terrain.
CAMP Campamento Italiano $free
Thursday:
HIKE Campamento Italiano to Campamento Británico & Lookout then back to Campamento Italiano (6 hours, 8.5 miles) *We can leave our stuff at our campsite and hike through Valle Frances and back this day- my big backpack turns in to a day pack we can pack lunches in.
CAMP Campamento Italiano $free
Friday:
HIKE Campamento Italiano to Campamento Torres (10 hours, 14 miles) *I think we should push to hike this long day.. if we can´t do it we can cut out 1.5 hours and stay at Campamento Chilena for $4,000.
CAMP Campamento Torres $free
Saturday:
HIKE Campamento Torres to a lookout of the towers (1 hour) and then back to Hosteria Las Torres (3.5 hours) Total miles= 6.
FINISH!!