Tuesday, May 28, 2013




















 Osorno Volcano is located in the Lakes Region of Chile.  The lakes are huge and their waters are the most beautiful in color.  One would think you were in the Caribbean if it were not for the cool, crisp air and volcano nearby.

Nora and I continued our day trip by taking a boat ride on the lake and exploring the rivers that flow out of it.  Every year, salmon make their way upstream to mate in the rivers just below the lake.  They are so plentiful that you can see them jumping straight out of the water.  Unfortunately, I was there at the wrong time of the year, but what a sight that would be!

I was so amazed by the lakes and by the volcano and I couldn't believe they were real.  Sometimes I am shocked by how beautiful the Earth can be.  And the crazy thing is, there are so many beautiful places like this all over and I feel so lucky to be able to experience them.

LOCATION: The Lake Region, Chile
DATE: March 2013


Friday, May 24, 2013

















After leaving the farm, I took a five hour bus ride south to Puerto Montt to finally meet up with Nora.  We decided to take a day trip to Osorno Volcano.  Osorno is one of Chile's most active volcanoes and I was a bit nervous to get so close to the beautiful giant.  But as we drove closer to its peak, fear took a back seat and left me feeling amazed.    

Thousand-year-old glaciers cap the top and loose volcanic rocks scatter beneath.  Vibrant colors pop up in patches and highlight the rolling hills below.  There's a view of the lake that is best seen from the volcano and you truly feel like you're on top of the world.   

LOCATION: The Lake Region, Chlile 
DATE: March, 2013

Tuesday, May 21, 2013





















When I dream of having a farm, I always think of what kind of animals I want to live there.  Of course I'll have some pigs, a couple dairy cows, and a horse to ride.  I'll have a big dog that will follow me around and be super obedient and a couple cats in the barn to kill the rats.  But after staying at Catrico, I've fallen in love with llamas and sheep.  There's something about a llamas face that cracks me up and they have such interesting personalities.  Sheep are beautiful, especially in a bunch, and the thought of having a little lamb is too much. 

Each day, I was so thankful to see these animals around the farm.  I'd watch them graze the fields and occasionally they'd pop their heads up as I tried to inch closer and closer to them.  The horses were always the friendliest and were used to being ridden, but the llamas were the most interested and would stare right back at me.  

On one of my last days there, we ate one of the lambs.  It had been slaughtered before my arrival so I wasn't attached to it, making it easier to eat.  Its a sad thing when an animal has to be killed for food, but its also a beautiful thing when it has been treated with love and care its whole life.  

We ate the lamb curry with vegetables from the garden and apple pie for desert.  Life around the farm contributed to our meals each day and I'm thankful for the life that was given and the life the continues at Catrico.  


LOCATION: Catrico, Chile
DATE: March 2013








Friday, May 10, 2013





















The farm in Catrico is open to people all over the world.  There were seven of us "wwoofing"; some for months and others for a couple weeks at a time.  I was lucky enough to meet some pretty amazing people and instantly felt like a part of the family as soon as I arrived.  Each morning started off with hot tea and bread and jam made from the berries nearby.  During the day we all worked—digging trenches in the fields, shoveling manure in the horse stalls, and gathering hay at a nearby farm.  A large meal was prepared every day at 2 or 3 pm and we all gathered around the table sharing stories from the day or from our lives back home.  Our evenings were filled with horse riding and jokes around the dinner table.  There was so much joy and love with this group.  Each person was so unique and interesting and some of my favorite moments were conversations I had with each of them. 


LOCATION:  Catrico, Chile
DATE: March 2013



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