Our first stop with the Patagonia Gap Year was the Rio Maipo. While we were there we had the privilege of staying with the Astorga family. There are many cousins and aunts and uncles in the family. We stayed with Joe, Soco, and two of there kids, Chagual and Aramara. Everyday to go home, we would have to walk across a locked bridge over the Rio Maipo to basically a small town the Astorga family had made. We would walk past the family puma, the parrots, and the eagles. After going under the grape vines, taking several to eat on the way, we arrived at the house. The house is very pretty. It had a bunch of fruit trees all around it and a variety of other plants.
The first thing I was told at the asado we had to say goodbye to Tino and Lorenzo before there trip to Africa with New River Academy, was that all the cousins were very close. Throughout our stay at the Rio Maipo, I felt like a member of the family. There incredible amount of hospitality was something I had never felt before.
The highlight of our stay with the family was going up to the Meseta. The Meseta is about an hour and a half hike straight uphill. I really didn’t know what to expect. As we were walking up, we could see the beautiful Maipo valley below. When we arrived at the Meseta we were greeted by a plum tree. We took as many plums as we could eat. As we walked around, we could see that the fruit trees were endless. Apples, peaches, plums, grapes, nectarines, and a variety of other fruits surrounded us.
After filling our stomachs, we went to the swimming hole. The swimming hole looked like it was something out of a movie. Very clear water and a little waterfall flowing into it. Although the water was very cold, it was incredibly refreshing after the hike.
After we were done swimming we went to the place we were camping and built a fire. We talked as best we could to the many cousins. Tents were useless on this trip. Sleeping under the stars was the reason why we came up there after-all. I fell asleep looking at the stars above, which were much brighter than the ones you see in the USA.
Everyone had a great time with the Astorga family and I am glad to have stayed with them for a week. I can’t imagine that there are many more people like them in this world. The generosity and love the family has is amazing. They love the family had atmosphere they have created and will do it for many years to come.
The view from the Meseta
View of the Maipo Valley
The swimming hole
