Random thoughts from Santiago

-Esma found 3000 Chilean pesos (~$5 US) on the sidewalk Tuesday evening - ice cream shop here we come! Or possibly another bottle of wine :-)

-We have been frequenting a gelateria (the ice cream shop) in the last week or so. Although not technically ice cream, we would rank their frozen deliciousness up there with Maple View Creamery (those of you in NC will know what we are talking about). They have unusual flavors like lucuma (a fruit native to Chile & Peru); grapefruit with Sauvignon Blanc; raisins with red wine. The other good thing about this shop is that we have to walk 25 minutes (one way) to get there, so we get our exercise in on the way to get dessert and on the way back home.

-Chileans, at least those in Santiago, have the eating habits of Hobbits. They have breakfast, mid-morning snack (elevenses), lunch, mid-afternoon "helado", and dinner.

-Yesterday we found a fly fishing shop that is better stocked (full line of Simms, Sage, etc.) than probably 90% of the fly shops in the U.S. and, surprisingly, prices are comparable (although, sadly, Clay couldn't talk Esma into buying a new fly rod).

-Chileans, like many Americans, are very excited about the 44th President of the United States of America. We couldn't find any other news on TV Tuesday or Wednesday.

-Clay takes a Spanish test today to pass to the next level.

-We are heading to the beach tomorrow (Valparaiso and Vina del Mar) and Sunday. Hopefully we'll have some good pictures to post when we get back.

-Our love to you all!