Missing Squirrels...

Hello, blogosphere.

Just wanted to stop by and say hola before the craziness of this week begins (also, this entry might be an attempt to make my history reading go away...). Why is this week going to be so crazy? Well, because we're going to PERU on Thursday. That's why. We've got hostels, planes, trains, buses, Machu Picchu, and the floating islands waiting for us up there. And we couldn't be more excited to see another country in beautiful South America, practice our Quechua, and eat some delicious Peruvian...something.

What have we been doing in between travel adventures? Besides touch rugby, I think we've both just really appreciated having two weeks to soak up Santiago. Because, in case you're not aware, we are well past the halfway point of our time here! As of today, we're on day 83 out of 155. That just leaves 72! Yikes a million.

So as I said, we're soaking up Santiago. And one of my absolute favorite things about being down here is that we have all kinds of chances to be outdoorsy. So here are some outdoorsy things that I slash we have been doing over the past couple of weeks:

1. Hiking above the clouds. I went with my friend Mary and her Chilean (!!) friend Daniel to climb Alto del Naranjo, a big beautiful hike right near my house. When we started out, it was a cold, foggy day in Santiago. But suddenly, we turned a corner, and the sky was bright blue and so clear, because we had hiked ourselves right above the clouds, the fog, and the esmog. It was so sweet. And it was on this hike that I realized that I haven't seen a squirrel in way too long. Who knew you could ever start missing squirrels?

2. Bike tour of Santiago. It might seem a little late in the game to be going on a bike tour of this place, but CIEE invited us, so we went! Yesterday, we spent 6 hours biking in a group of about 25 all around this place. Sure, we feared for our lives sometimes (ok, most of the time), but it was mostly a cool way to see the city. And a great way to enjoy the beauuutiful spring weather that's been creeping in lately.

3. The Banff Mountain Film Festival. Friday night, a few of us (thanks for the idea, Mr. Hannifan!!) went to one night of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, as it stopped in Santiago on its world tour. We saw 6 documentaries about people doing incredible (sometimes just crazy) things in the great outdoors. I don't have too much to say about it, except to encourage you to check it out next year if it comes to a city near you.

Okie doke. I think that's the last you'll hear from us until we're back from Peru!! Wish us luck!