WHEN THE SUN SHINES

Our plans often are determined by the weather conditions. Considering the normal weather pattern here, it’s a gorgeous day.

We pack a lunch and start the day with a brisk walk to a nearby tourist attraction: Piedra del Indio; A large rock that looks like the face of an Indian.


Further down on the other side of the rock is a Mirador (a viewing platform) where we have a beautiful view over the valley, the river and a University fish hatchery.

We pick up the car and drive along the river where we find a picnic/camping area, of which at least one native family is making good use of today.

I ask permission to take a picture of their camp. A small animal, possibly a goat or pig is being cooked over a coal fire, watched by the men, while the women are preparing other dishes or watch the children. The man cheerfully agree, the women are shy and disappear or bend their heads down.

A trail takes us up the mountain along the river, where after a long climb I take a moment to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of this area and Ramiro searches for fossils.

After 3:00 pm, the city comes alive again. The square is now full with people; mostly tourists. A group of natives are setting up their display of crafts and sound system for a live performance. I love the sound of the flutes. All I need to do is close my eyes and imagine myself in a very quiet place deep in the mountains.

It is far from quiet here. The Presidental election campaign has been going steady since we arrived early December. On voting day, mid December, Piñera won, but with a minority of seats. This means that they will hold a second election one month later. This Sunday will be the determining day. The streets are full with young people carrying flags, handing out pamphlets and posters. Cars with loud music and carrying large flags are driving around. Large banners and posters are all placed all over the country. Young people have been hired by the opposition, to cut the face or the name of the candidate out of the banners and posters. Politics is quite aggressive here. The race is between two powerful men: Frei, who represents the the Socialists, who have formed a coalition with the Christian Democratics. Piñera represents a coalition of right wing parties. If Frei wins, the country remains socialist. With Piñera as President, the country will have a right wing government for the first time in over 20 years.

I have not been able to find a laundromat and can no longer wait, we need some clean clothes. We buy detergent and I end up washing in the bathtub. The strong wind dries a good part of it, but at night we need to bring everything inside and spread it out close to the Kerosine heater.

We spend some time calculating our route for the next week and plan for one of the two days a week a ferry from Chaiten can take us north again next week, after a visit to Comodoro, Argentina.