Jay and Crystal - Santiago

---

well, heres a little update for you all.

Our last days in Peru ( for now) were spent in the incredible depths of the canon del colca( worlds second deepest canyon short by 100 meters from being the deepest), exploring the many enchantments of what nature has instore for us if only we take the time to look. trekking up and down the forever increasingly steep canyon switchbacks, watching the condors( huge native birds) soaring above, watching to local peoples with their burros trotting, humming through their daily lives, camping at the very depth of the canyon, swimming in the river at the bottom listening to the roar of the river, feeling as small as an ant............... There are really no words to describe the enchantment of that place.

At the moment we are in santiago Chile, which despite being a huge city is actually very beautiful in its own little way. Chile is very different from the previous countries we have been travelling. Chile is more westernized in terms of progress and consumerism and has a definite European influence. Sometimes walking around Santiago you feel like you are in Toronto or Vancouver with the sky rises and intracate subways lines. But, Santiago still has a very old colonial feel to it which can be appreciated from its central downtown, where old train stations have been transformed into art museums, the central plaza is lined with beautiful buildings and of course a massive catherdral.

We are heading south, south, south, soon probably tomorrow to Patagonia the trekking and backpackers paradise. We are sooooo excited. We are planning to do a multitude of hikes in
most if not all of the national parks down there. The only downfall is that getting there, wont be cheap because bus prices are higher than expected and Chile and Argentina are much more expensive to travel in than Peru. But, once we are there we will be camping and cooking our own food..yeah, for oatmeal and pasta...haha.

From there we plan to work on organic farms in Argentina that we have heard about. Where we are hoping to learn to make cheeses, wine, beer, and marmelades. As well as learn more about organic farming, building and learning to go back to the roots of living simplistically. I cant wait to hang out with some more donkeys.........also some farms have horses which is really exciting for me, I really miss being around those beautiful animals. PS... alpacas look warm and cuddly but are actaully really frightening when they feel threatened, especially when they put their ears back flare their nostrils and look like they are about to spit at you......maybe they didnt want us to put our tent there!!!! haha .... okay that was a random sidenote.....anywaya

also, cant wait to get into mendoza for some TASTY WINE, hopefully get there is march when they have their wine festival......anyways, I could go on and on forever right now but, I will just say I miss you all, keep loving life.

Crystal and Jay

---

Photos

map
map of where we have been

me
hiking in Canyon del Colca

Jay
hiking in Canyon del Colca

our tent
camping in the bottom of the canyon beside a banana tree( which actually arent trees but considered a grass) weird hey

the river
River at bottom of canyon with massive boulders.

writing
contemplating life.......