After much time spent viewing the scenery and interacting with others from ‘No Alto Maipo” we left for the 4 hour drive to the coast. The drive took us back through the mountains, and out into the agricultural valley below. We passed by Santiago and what seemed like endless miles of vineyards and farmland until we finally began to rise once again into the the hills which flank the ocean. The feeling was electric when we finally glimpsed the vast body of water- massive waves, relentless surf, and long dark beaches. We had finally arrived at our play boating destination; Pichilemu. This small town would be our base for the next 5 days as we tested our skills on the ocean waves. We managed to get out on the surf the first day, however we took it easy and went directly out as opposed to going to the large point break which forms farther down the beach. The waves surprised me in their size and magnitude, they made arial tricks not only possible, but almost hard NOT to throw! Our second day was even better, we headed out to the point break and caught some of the big waves there. Here they dwarfed us in our little play boats and frequently caught us and tossed us around, it seemed that the wave was demanding a toll for every trick. Most of the time we caught them but on occasion one of us would get close, miss, and go head over the heels into a tumble lasting a couple seconds, making for some hilarious wipeouts and beat downs. Fortunately we had 2 GoPros with us, meaning we got plenty of footage of tricks, and the subsequent beat downs. On one such occasion I threw a Pan-Am, (a trick I have been working on all year) and caught it on camera (finally!).

The surf might be the thing that brought us to Pichilemu, but it was the lifestyle that has enticed me to want to come back. The towns culture is unlike anything I have ever seen. A kind of cross between California surf culture, and small town Chilean customs. There is a big main strip consisting of everything from surf shops, to empanada stands. Horse’s and carriages parade around the town, enticing tourists and locals alike, and coffee shops dot the sidewalks offering a temporary reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the surfing lifestyle.

And that brings us to where we are now, sitting in a cafe writing these blogs and updating our Facebook, preparing for another day of paradise and surfing, we leave for the Rio Claro tomorrow, and though I will miss this place, I cannot help but be excited for the next leg of our trip; the infamous Pucon.

Sorry I have not been blogging much.

Things have been awesome here in Chile. Everyone loved The Maipo, and I know that we are all sad to leave Pichilemu tomorrow. It has been really nice to have a town a block away from us. There has been lots of chilean foods to taste here. Mainly sweets…but hey, whos counting?

Haakon and I!!

Meals have been beyond great. The cooks we have here are AWESOME! Every meal is delish and healthy. We always have fresh juice and bread. And when I say fresh juice, I mean, made with a blender right before the meal. Usually the ingrediants include strawberries or kiwis, or pinapple, and water. But this morning we had bananas blended with milk. I think I had a whole blender full just by myself!

Tino Specht at a Waterfall near the Maipo, Chile

Another cool part of living in town is that we are so immersed in Chilean culture here. If you want anything at all, you have to use spanish to get it. And there are always people willing to talk and learn more about you. I hope that by the end of next quarter, I am fluent in spanish. It is not going to be easy, but I think that Stephen Forster and I may just be able to achieve that goal.

Speaking of Stephen, survival class rode horses in the sand dunes yesterday to look at beach herbology. It was really fun. And I have to say, I do not think Matt Hill has a future as a cowboy. He looked like a wet noodle. But he had fun! The ride was beautiful, except I couldnt get my horse to walk! It only wanted to run. Stephen and I ended the ride with a gallop along the surf. It was so much fun…until a pack of stray dogs started chasing us. I was worried that the horses would buck, but they just ran faster, and the ride ended with no harm to anyone. Although, the horse seemed really to like running in the actual water. I didn’t mind…but my last clean pair of socks got really sandy and wet. Boo.

Haakon on a Kid's ride in Pichilemu Chile...Goof.

Laundry here is hung out in the sweet fresh air to dry. It smells delicious when dry. And do not worry Moms, the boys did laundry today…FINALLY!!! This car ride might actually smell decent! Huzzah!

Everyone has been throwing huge in the water. On the first day out, there was a huge seal swimming right among us. At one point he popped up ten feet from my boat! He was adorable! It was a really cool experience. I think that all the kids have been loving ocean surf. It can be intimidating, but it is really good practice for boofing holes, and the tricks go really big!!

Some Closed Store Fronts in Pichilemu Chile

Classes have amped up in intensity. Actually, In all my classes, we are ahead of the syllabus…meaning we have zoomed past public school course syllabus. Even in AP English we are way far ahead. It has allowed us a little flexability in upcoming projects. One day in physics, we went to the beach to draw elipses and learn more about tangential speed, and the planets in orbit. Pretty cool studying the moon and its affects on the tides when we are right near a beach depending on the tides for wave size.

I cannot wait to see what this next week and the Sietes Tazas have to hold. It is supposed to be one of the most picturesque places in Chile. Just one more adventure in this once in a lifetime experience we are having here in Beautiful Chile…

-Tracy d’Arbeloff

Colorful walls were commonplace in bright Pichilemu. Photo by Palmer Miller

This wood was outside of a vendor's stall, that was selling wooden objects. Photo by Palmer Miller

This sign was seen on the side of a government building in Pichilemu, Chile. Photo by Palmer Miller

Many signs were either worn away or rusted by extensive use or exposure to weather. Photo by Palmer Miller

Walls in Pichilemu were often covered in designs or texture. Photo by Palmer Miller

This colorful sign was above the entrance of a family run fruit stand. Photo by Palmer Miller

Many buildings were covered in dust and sand swept up from the dirt roads and beaches by the wind. Photo by Palmer Miller

Hope you Enjoy!