Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

November 7, 2007

My family is coming down in a little over a month…and I can’t wait!!! My mom, brother, stepdad, stepbrother and stepsister will all be making the trek down to see me over Christmas time.

I have to admit that I was kind of surprised to hear they were all coming. I originally asked my mom if I paid for half her ticket, could she make the visit because I really wanted some company here with me over the holidays. I would’ve offered to pay for everybody else’s tickets too but unfortunately we don’t have a money tree growing in our patio.This will be my fourth Christmas in Chile and while I love S.’s family, I love mine more (which, by the way, if I lived next door to my family in the U.S. I’d probably love S’s family more ). S. doesn’t care at all where we are for Christmas, he’s not as family oriented as I am. Circumstances have always dictated that we are in Chile, not the typical couples fight over whose in-laws deserve a visit the most.

But, having people come visit does stress me out. I’ll admit it. I don’t like being a hostess. That feeling of being responsible for everybody’s happiness is a big burden and I’m never sure if I’ll be able to pull it off! Fortunately for me, we have decided that while the fam is here we’ll take a trip to Pucon, in the south of Chile and climb one of the active volcanoes that’s down there. I feel good about that. A live volcano never disappoints. The trip up is about a 4-5 hour hike. It’s like being on a stairmaster the whole time. I didn’t struggle too much last time I went but the day after I could barely walk. I needed assistance just to sit down on the toilet!

So that’s what is on my mind these days…I’m excited to spend Christmas with mi familia

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8 Comments

It will be interesting to see how much you can get yourself in shape for the climb. Maybe this time you will fare better…the day after.
Try not too stress out about being the hostess…I mean they are in a foreign country…for Christmas…with you. They will have fun without you breaking your neck trying to make everything perfect.
And if you notice that there is a strange fat lady hanging around, that is just your long lost sister, raquelin, coming to spend Christmas with you

Comment by Rachel — November 7, 2007 @ 4:09 pm

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YAY! Sounds like fun!

Comment by Melsa — November 7, 2007 @ 4:19 pm

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I love Pucon! It’s one of my favorite cities in Chile!

I hope you have a great time there too!

Jess

Comment by Jess — November 7, 2007 @ 6:10 pm

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SO lucky to get to see your fam this Christmas! I’ve been getting a little sad thinking about the lonely Christmas here.

And as for hosting…I am TOTALLY horrible at it, so I know how you feel!

Jayna

Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 9:05 pm

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I’m so happy your parents will be there with you for Christmas. I’ve spent two Christmases with my family since I moved away eight years ago. It’s tough, but I like being home for Christmas and this is my home now.

And that’s a tough climb for someone that doesn’t exercise regularly. Of course you do so it should be easier this time. But maybe you were before too?

I made a climb like that in New Hampshire several years ago, but it was only about 2 hours up. It was crazy seeing snow in July! And I ached for days. I don’t know if I could do it now. I’m not getting younger and climbing the fells in the UK even three years ago were hard. And supposedly they’re OK for grandmothers and small children!

Blergh! OK, you convinced me. I need to get back into exercising regularly.

Comment by ordinarygirl — November 8, 2007 @ 9:57 am

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Wow – that’s great! It will be so fun to show them around. Just hire a housekeeper the week before to clean, and all will be well.

Comment by Maurey Pierce — November 10, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

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delurking here to say I love Pucon! Honeymooned there, had a few family Christmases there (family friends own a hotel (Antumalal) in Pucon). Love that place! Check out the caves on the volcano…not bad.

And in regards to your most recent post (about being an expat and friends back home being wierd about friendship) – I can echo your thoughts loud and clear! My husband and I spent a year living in Prague and it was a lonely time…people not returning emails/letters/phone calls and life seemingly passing you by…it is rough, but the experiences you gain by being an expat are something none of those people have!

Beka

Comment by Anonymous — November 12, 2007 @ 9:37 am

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Beka, I didn’t even know there were caves on the volcano, I will definitely be checking those out this time around

Very cool that you spent your honeymoon in Pucon! I love it down there….

Comment by mamacita chilena — November 13, 2007 @ 4:08 pm

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