North of the Antarctic Peninsula, near King George Island, we made our first landing. Had I seen ANY wildlife, no matter the quantity, or species, I would have been happy. Penguin Island did not disappoint us. We saw two (or three) seal species, a Southern Giant Petrel with a chick, and a colony of Chinstrap penguins. Sadly, the first sight upon landing was a number of whale vertebra. It was a reminder that we were entering territory that used to be replete with whales. During our cruise we would struggle to catch a glimpse of any whale species. Penguin Island is [View Full Entry]

---

---

Arrival to Antarctica is not only cost prohibitive but if travelers-to-be knew beforehand of the discomfort of sailing through the Drake Passage, it may be enough to discourage a few more from making the journey. I boarded the Polaris after a 10-day wait in Ushuaia nearly trembling with excitement. I was only mildly aware that 12 hours later I would be trembling with nausea. Upon boarding the ship and receiving our room assignments we were called to the front room to meet our staff and learn more about our Antarctic expedition. We were all thrilled to hear that on our ship [View Full Entry]

---

---

It’s been a confusing month for me. The simplest and most direct questions on immigration forms trigger an identity crisis of sorts. For example, on a recent flight back to the United States for Christmas I couldn’t decipher if I was returning to the U.S. after some time spent in Chile OR if I was visiting the U.S. on vacation from Chile. It turned out to be the latter. As insignificant as this information seems it can get you in a lot of trouble if you cannot remember where you live! Identity crisis aside, one week ago I removed the U.S. [View Full Entry]

---

---

I may have been on the shore of any lake in Wisconsin. The motor boats were coming in for fuel, there were jet skis for rent (I mean moto acuaticas), and I was sitting close enough to smell that familiar smell of water with a hint of gasoline from the fuel station. But the sand was black, which I cannot remember seeing in Wisconsin, and a glance to my left gave me a full view of Volcán Villarrica. I arrived here in Pucón, in the south of Chile, by way of a ten hour overnight bus ride from Santiago. It reminds [View Full Entry]

---

---

I did it for you, my readers. I arrived back in Chile only one night before New Year's Eve so I was hoping for something of a transition period, but the annual celebration would not wait for me to readjust. I had an ambitious idea but did not want to end up disappointed as the New Year celebration always seems a bit overrated. I continue to search for that magical evening that has eluded me. Still ranking high on my list are a sleep over at Maggie's house the year that Bryan Adams had song of the year with "Everything I [View Full Entry]

---

---

Quite behind the times I am. I will keep you in suspense as to where I currently write from but first wanted to share some pictures with you from the end of 2006. I spent my final week before Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation in the rented apartment of my friends Steve, Theresa, Ben, and Oliver in Viña del Mar. My apologies to a few of you who were tormented by me holding the Skype microphone out the window during our conversations in order that you hear the waves crashing. Living the high life was nice for the week. After leaving Viña [View Full Entry]

---

---

At the risk of confusing my readers who are aware that I am currently in the United States I am sending the following entry describing a hike that occurred in Chile during the month of November. Two months ago when I traveled with Simon and Merete to Parque Nacional Campana we hiked halfway to the peak, stopping at La Area de La Mina. We arrived too late in the day to summit so were forced to turn around at that point. I was feeling confident that day, wanting to proceed and make an attempt at the peak. Had I walked around [View Full Entry]

---

---

It normally requires a lot to make me blush in the U.S. It may be the passionate expression used by Chileans that has influenced me to easily let that pink tint steadily climb up my face. Needless to say, I have blushed more in my 2.5 months in Chile, than I have over the past five years at home. It began with my endless battle with the word "alcachofa". Artichoke. Since day one of using that word I have only been able to produce "alfachoka", a variation of the original. It all came to a head on one of our visits [View Full Entry]

---

---

Many Chileans ask me why I moved to Chile, "para estudiar (to study), intercambio (an exchange), or solo para conocer (or only to know Chile)?" And my answer is that, para conocer, to know Chile. In order to continue my quest to know Chile, after spending the day in Maitencillo I went a bit further north to see the town of Zapallar. Zapallar is known for its historic mansions, a few of which are pictured in my blog. I walked a seaside path and enjoyed another day of solitude and studying on the rocks with the waves crashing around me. As [View Full Entry]

---

---

Last month I shook up my normal back and forth routine to Santiago and hopped on a bus heading north of Valparaiso to a beach town called Maitencillo. A clue that I knew next to nothing about what I was doing was in the fact that I had to keep referring to my guidebook to remember how to pronounce the name. Think, think, and keep repeating to self... Maitencillo, Maitencillo, until it comes naturally. A bit like my problem with the artichokes. The driver asked where I would like to be left in town. I asked for "the center" and started [View Full Entry]

---

---