Kyle Hepp

January 19, 2010

I always crack up when I go to weddings and the gringo friends tell people that they’re here for a week or two visiting Chile. The Chilean response is almost unanimously horrified. “TWO WEEKS?!? What could you possibly do in ONLY two weeks? That is not NEARLY long enough!!!”

Chileans get an automatic 15 days a year of vacation time from the get-go. And then on top of that most companies also allow you to build up vacation time pretty quickly, give big perks like an extra week off the year you get married, or have a baby or break a toe nail. Plus, this country has a ridiculous amount of church and government holidays. Independence day falls on a Wednesday this year? Why let’s give people all week off and call it a sandwich — it’s only natural! Why it’s Saint Virgin So and So of the Holy Cross of the So and So of Martydom Sainthood’s Day? Let’s close down the highways, shut down all workplaces and give everybody more time off. Why not?!?

Summertime is a perfect excuse for Chilean businesses not to be functioning. I mean, not that most ever do to begin with, but the mere fact that the sun is shining and the date falls sometime between November and April gives them a reason to close their doors earlier, take longer lunch breaks, or not open at all — and all they have to do is tack a little sign on the door that says “Will be back after summer.” Never mind that nobody here really observes the official start and end of the season.

I am now about to experience the opposite problem. We finally have our U.S. schedule all nailed out for the NYC wedding in May and we’re going to be in the country for a grand total of a month and half. By the time we go back my friends and family are going to be like, “Could you guys leave already? Who in the world takes 6 weeks of vacation?!?”

I have to admit that for me, neither country’s version of life and required vacation days suit. As a direct result of this amazing job, I am simultaneously both always on vacation and never on vacation. Love it. I think this Amazon vacation is going to be the best thing for me since I won’t be able to check email or edit photos even if I wanted to!

Speaking of travels, here’s our itinerary for our U.S. trip in May. Sessions are $350 dollars if anyone is interested let me know early, as our schedule in the U.S. is always nuts. And if anyone needs a wedding photographer in the summer months, we can always extend our trip! Although slim chance — Gringa brides aren’t like Chilean brides, they book more than a month or two in advance so most people are probably already all set on that front

May 3-6th: Nashville, TN

May 7th-11th: Grand Rapids, MI

May 13th-16th: New York City, NY

May 17th-June 9th: Miami, FL

36 Comments

Para los que se preguntan si papi duerme con nosotros, la respuesta es si. de hecho, duerme en la cama, bajo las frazadas. Aqui esta en su sesion diaria de cepillado, justo antes de dormir. xD

3 Comments

January 17, 2010

Solo un dia normal de trabajo. Papi en el escritorio, pensando si la vamos a llevar a algarrobo esta ves o no.

6 Comments