Santiago Layover

     I've arrived safely in Santiago, Chile.  It's a striking contrast, leaving the frozen prairie and suddenly experiencing the arid, hot Andes.  I walked around the city on Saturday, and enjoyed the Chilean energy. Santiago is relatively quiet this time of year, as many people leave to enjoy their summer homes on the coast.  The locals are very friendly, and they love their ice cream.  I was able to sample some chocolate pepper ice cream, which was very sweet, followed by a subtle burn down the throat. Interesting juxtaposition.

     It's fun to stroll through the local markets.  I'm able to get a feel for the people and their culture.  I visited a fish market, and am always fascinated by all of the sea creatures and their culinary potential. Check out the pescada (fish) and pulpos (octopus, raw and then served grilled with sundried tomato risotto)!

     Dusk was terrific. The sun going down in the West, with the moon rising from the East over the Andes...only a few days short of being full.  It's nice to experience longer daylight hours after feeling like a mole in sun-starved Minnesota.  Today the sun set around 8:45 PM!

     Dinner was a smorgasbord of Chilean cuisine and wines.  It was great to sip a Pisco Sour.  Its initial tartness immediately reminded me of some very good times in Peru.  Pisco has a way of making everything taste better, even anticuchos (barbecued beef hearts)!  Although I have Peruvian Pisco at home, it's difficult to replicate the recipe without the South American limons.

     "Of all of the gin joints, in all the towns, she walks into mine."  No, this isn't Morocco, however, Sunday afternoon was spent west of the city, in Casablanca.  It's a municipality nestled between Santiago and the coast. Apparently Chile's best Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines are from this region.  It was a relaxing afternoon, spent touring the area combined with a lovely lunch.  Oh, yeah...and drinking wine.  

     Sunday evening was spent meeting 100 of my new best friends, my shipmates, who will be joining me on this adventure.  We mingled by the pool and had a nice dinner.  Everyone is excited.  There was at least one familiar face, Tim Soper.  He is our expedition leader, the same role he had when I was in Baja, Mexico whale watching.

     On Monday morning, an early chartered flight will take us to Ushuaia, Argentina.  We will tour the Beagle Channel in a catamaran prior to embarking on our ship, The Endeavour, headed towards Antarctica.  And away we go!