mis aventuras en sur america: Hiking and the Mapuche

8-10 de Octubre;

I was very excited for this trip right off the bat when I heard we were going to go on a hike and get to spend time and have lunch with the Mapuche. (the native people of Chile) We got up early and took a 2-hour bus ride to Púcon, which is a touristy town near the beach. Once in Púcon we went on a short hike up to an imitation of a section of a Mapuche village. We walked past a lake and an active volcano that was pure white with smoke billowing from it in front of the brilliant blue sky that took my breath away. At the "village" we were able to meet a Mapuche family who graciously showed us their thatched roof homes with their beds and other everyday objects used by the Mapuche. Since this was a place more for tourists I was disappointed that there wasn't more villagers or an actual village. But I enjoyed my time with this family. I also watched some boys playing with an old school top that had to be hand wound each time, and the way their faces lit up when it worked was precious. We then proceeded into another thatched roof home where there was a long table circumferencing the room with benches. We ate some traditional orderves including mini empanadas, fried bread, and some nuts that had the texture of beans. They were bland, but we had a yummy jam like spread to add to them which was good. Then we had the main course of carne asada (steak), potatoes and salad. It was all delicious and I felt honored to enjoy it with them. After lunch we went back outside into the sunshine and some people rode horses and played a game like field hockey with wooden sticks and balls. I played the game and had so much fun. It was neat because the children also put on a performance for us of a traditional healing ceremony. They were dressed up and did an excellent job. We got to see something on the inside of their culture that I'm sure many outsiders do not get to see. That was a special moment and one of the best days I've had here. I wish to spend a longer period of time in a real Mapuche village, and maybe later on the trip I will be able to.

Healing Celebration.

The rest of the day we spent at the lake eating gelato and then went to a hot springs in the night when we could see the stars in the sky. That is something I miss from Ellensburg and I felt connected to you all back home because even though we may see different stars we are still looking at the same sky.

The next day was the extreme hike many of us were hesitant to go on, but excited at the same time. But what we had ahead of us was unlike anything we could have imagined. It was a 7 hour hike up hill through the mountains with only a sandwich, an apple, an orange , a banana, half a chocolate bar, a liter of water and our mental abilities to get us through. Luckely I was hiking with some fun people, and our humor and Eminem got us to the top. Even though we were exhausted, I was proud of myself in making it all the way. We even made it up to the frozen lake while hiking through the snow. Needless to say I fell into the snow a couple times, and got really sweaty but it was worth it. Coming to Chile I did not think I was going to see much snow during the summer so it was a pleasant surprise and I loved it. Danielle and I made snow angles and Simon, Brent and Ian went swimming in the glacial water. They are some of the neatest guys you will meet. It was amazing, and I have never enjoyed a weekend more. I also had my first cup of mate, enjoyed it and am going to bring some back for my family and friends to try.