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Several family members want to say goodbye as we leave Concepcion. We exchange e-mail addresses and promise to keep in touch. Aide and Manuel we will likely see when we visit Montreal this summer, but the others, who knows?
As we kiss everyone goodbye, I really feel I have gained a second family. Everyone has been so warm, caring and friendly.
As we plan today’s route we agree again that we will take the secondary road rather than the Autopista, which as usual has it’s rewards.
As we follow the winding road through the rolling hills, I see a sign to San Ignacio along the wine route. I swear we’ve been there before, 10 years ago. And it turns out I was right. Only during that time it was winter and cold and wet.
We turn into Ranquil and come upon the store Ramiro’s uncle Wolfgang once owned. Wolfgang passed away a few years ago, but his wife still lives in the beautiful house on the property. We learn that she is visiting Chillan for the weekend, so all we can do is leave a note and move on.
Every community we pass, seems to have something going on. In Coelemu we stetch our legs for a walk around the square. It looks different here. Very summery and lively.
We pass Trehuaco where the dirt bikes races are being held in the dry river bed.
But it is Quirihue that we enjoy the most. When we see some cowboys chasing a team of horses in a corral, we decide to pull over and get out of the car to watch.
Ramiro is the type who prefers to just stand back and watch. I always like to know everything and the only way I will is by asking. It does not take long before we are introduced to the President of the agricultural society, the owner of the land and the mayor.
We’re offered a glass of Ponche. (Red wine, with sugar and peaches) and Mote con Huesillo. While listening to the Chilean music, we are being interviewed for a You-tube clip and are told to look for it at Trilla Quirihue.
The activity with the horses is called Trilla. Large amounts of hay are spread to the outside of the corral. Two Huasos on horseback, chase 6 horses around in circles, during which time they crush the hay with their hooves. Every round, more hay is piled up on the run. The horse that stays in the lead the longest wins a trophy.
We receive an invitation to join the rest of the group for Casuela (soup loaded with a chunk of meat and vegetables) and are asked to stay for the entertainment. There are other activities to celebrate the Honey Festival, but we decide to move on and buy some home made wine and a bottle of Nispero Liqueur before we leave.
Several people suggested we take the road along the coast, another 30 km west. I have the feeling we won’t make it to San Antonio tonight either. But we’re free to do whatever we want and are having plenty of fun. It’s hot and it is dry, very dry, but we know, as we get closer to the coast it will cool off.
Once we reach the coast, we start looking for a cabin right away, visiting the rock with the thousands of Sea Lions along the way. It’s a bit further nort, close to Buchupureo, along a quiet road, slightly away from the coast that we find a house with two cabins in the back. The yard is full with flowers, orange trees, grapevines and little chickens are running around freely. We’re sheltered from the wind behind the first cabin and enjoy some time outside in the sun.
I insist we walk to the beach for some fresh air. I am taking in so many different images.
The waves are unbelievable here; They are just wild. I wonder how they would be for surfing.
We stay just long enough to see the sun slowly disappear. What a sight!
1 comment:
What an exiting day! To just arrive upon the horses competition is fantastic. Bravo for taking the road less traveled. It always pays off, like you said.
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