A VISIT TO TALEGANTE

Ramiro has to pay a visit to the Government office. We get up early and I suggest we go as soon as they are open. I did forget that we are in Chile, where things move a bit slower. We finally arrive at 10:15 am. There are long lines of people, They all take a number and wait patiently. half an hour, one hour.
At noon they stop accepting people. At 5 to 12 Number D16 is being served, Ramiro is holding D18. He has an option of giving someone in front of him 1,000 Pesos ($2.00) and trade numbers, but Ramiro likes waiting remember?
At least I found a spot in the sun and watch the children play.
I am not used to be non productive. This lifestyle will take some time to get used to.
His number is called just before noon and he is in and out in no time. Mission accomplished.

We pick up the youngest of Nena’s boys, Pancho.
With bus, metro, taxi and on foot we start hunting for use 4 X 4s listed for sale on the web. None of the vehicles are worth the price asked for them. The owner of the last one drives us to the Metro, That saves us time and a long walk.

At the bus station Ramiro spots his cousin Patricio (Pato). They don;t have much time to talk, the bus to San Bernardo is on it’s way.

Back at home we quickly change clothes, pack an overnight bag and walk tot he bus stop for the bus to Talagante, for a Rotary meeting. This club hosted Ramiro and his Group Study Exchange Team in 2004. They also were the host club for the Microcredit Project Ramiro’s Club co-sponsored. 

It takes a good hour before we reach the city and are just in time for the meeting which starts at 9:00 pm. We are greeted very warmly. Some of the members walked right up to me and greeted me by my name.
This club has only 12 members. They own their own building, which is quite common for clubs in Chile. It allows them to display all their Rotary memorabilia, including the witch which was made by Dr. Raoul Vera, one of the male members. The witch is one of the symbols of the city. Another one is grapes.

Rotary meetings in Latin American countries are rather formal. The proceedings are somewhat official. Ramiro was presented with a certificate in recognition for his work on the Microcredit Project, and I received a bouquet of flowers.
We exchange banners and  stay around a while to chat.

Our hosts for the night, are Roberto, a retired Electrical Engineer and Sylvia a dentist.
They take us to a beautiful  home and show us our room. We ended up in a five star hotel.
I am delighted when I find out we have our own private bathroom.

Tuesday morning. We wake up well rested and present ourselves for breakfast at 9:30 am. The meal is relaxed, not rushed like at home, where we always seem to be in a hurry.

While dinner is being prepared we drive around for a view of the cordillera (the mountain range) and visit some of the Rotary projects, such as Helicopter pad by the hospital as well at some equipment at a seniors home. The facility is simple and very modest. No private rooms, no comfortable furniture. The large room is lined with beds, covered with white bedspreads, A tiny night table on the side. with barely any personal belongings. Some of the men are dressed in suit and tie. just sitting, waiting for the night to come so they can go back to bed.
Minimum housing cost is the equivalent of $120.00 per month, equal to a basic pension these seniors receive.

We visit the house of Carlos in Santa Rosa. This is where Ramiro and his team spend a few days during their exchange. It’s a beautiful country setting with a large cabin, used for friends and family. Carlos invites us for a drink, but we need to go home for lunch.

We sit down at a colorful set table and in front of each of us is a stuffed avocado. It was so delicious, that I am going to give you the ingredients. You will have to be creative as I am not able to give you any measurements.
For each person allow half a ripe, but firm avocado.
The filling consists of small chunks of boiled egg, green onion, canned salmon, corn kernels and small chunks of avocado (so you will need to allow more than half per  person). Everything is tossed in a light yogurt and mayonnaise sauce with a little lemon juice.

On the way home we stop at Las Palmas Olivetto Golf and Country Club for a drink.
It’s a moment to enjoy a paradise like setting. Eat your heart out golfers.